Herbs and Spices in Spanish with English translation
Can you imagine a world where cooking is without any Herbs or spices? Food without any proper or suitable herbs and spices is so bland that it has no taste whatsoever!!! Herbs and spices define a culture, it takes an ordinary dish and make it extraordinary!! The same is the case in Spain or any European country!!! So do you need a better reason to learn about the list of herbs and spices in Spanish or español?
Not only that, one of the “most” common topics in Spanish is learning the vocabulary for how to describe what you ate and what needs to be cooked. In real life, you would need to order in a restaurant based on whether or not a certain spice is present in the dish. There might be warnings saying that the food contains certain herbs and spices. So, many questions can be asked around this topic. Let us go through the list of herbs and spices in Spanish or español and a few example sentences for the same.
The supermarket scenario
When you go to a supermarket, you’ll have an entire rack dedicated to herbs and spices. You can see about 40 – 50 different herbs and spices stacked up there, ready for usage. You need to know the Spanish vocabulary for the list of Herbs in Spanish and the list of Spices in Spanish so that you can buy and use them properly.
These are the common herbs and spices that are found in any Spanish household. You can now learn the vocabulary for the list of herbs and Spices in Spanish with tons of examples and English translation.
How to say Herbs and Spices in Spanish?
So how do you say Herbs in Spanish? Lets learn it in Singular and in Plural!!
- The Spanish word or translation for “Herb” is “La hierba”
- The Spanish word or translation for “Herbs” is “Las hierbas”
- The Spanish word or translation for “Spice” is “La especia”
- The Spanish word or translation for “Spices” is “Las especias”
| Spanish | English | English Sentence | Spanish Sentence |
| El regaliz | Liquorice | Liquorice is very expensive | El regaliz es muy caro |
| El curry | Curry | Curry is spicy. | El curry es picante. |
| El chile | Chili | Chili can be sweet or spicy. | El chile puede ser dulce o picante. |
| El cardamomo | Cardamom | Cardamom is an indian spice. | El cardamomo es una especia india. |
| El comino | Cumin | Cumin is very tasty | El comino es muy sabroso |
| El chile | Pepper | Please buy Pepper. I am making soup today. | Por favor compre pimienta. Hoy estoy haciendo sopa. |
| El azafrán | Saffron | Saffron is the most expensive spice. | El azafrán es la especia más cara. |
| La mostaza | Mustard | Can you buy three bottles of Mustard? | ¿Puedes comprar tres botellas de mostaza? |
| El sésamo | Sesame | We are having Sesame Bread and Hummus spread for lunch. | Tendremos pan de sésamo y hummus para el almuerzo. |
| El clavo | Clove | I purchased Clove for EUR 3 | Compré Clove por EUR 3 |
| La nuez moscada | Nutmeg | We have a Nutmeg plant at home | Tenemos una planta de Nuez moscada en casa |
| La vainilla | Vanilla | I love Vanilla cake. | Me encanta el pastel de vainilla. |
List of Fine Herbs and Spices in Spanish
These are the more refined or “Fine” Spices that are found in any Spanish household. You can now learn the Spanish vocabulary for the list of Herbs and Spices in Spanish with examples in English and in Spanish.
| English | Spanish | English Sentence | Spanish Sentence |
| La albahaca | Basil | The goat ate the Basil plant. | La cabra se comió la planta de albahaca. |
| El perifollo | Chervil | The Chervil plant has large leaf | La planta de perifollo tiene hojas grandes. |
| El cilantro | Coriander | I sell Coriander in the market. | Vendo cilantro en el mercado. |
| El laurel | Laurel | Laurel is a herb. | El laurel es una hierba. |
| El estragón | Tarragon | Rich people eat Tarragon everyday. | Los ricos comen estragón todos los días. |
| El hinojo | Fennel | Boil water with some Fennel | Hervir agua con un poco de hinojo. |
| El orégano | Oregano | I like pizza with Oregano | Me gusta la pizza con orégano |
| El romero | Rosemary | Rosemary has a lovely smell. | El romero tiene un olor encantador. |
| El sabio | Sage | Sage is a small plant. | La salvia es una planta pequeña. |
| El tomillo | Thyme | You can make biscuits with Thyme and Parsley | Puedes hacer bizcochos con tomillo y perejil |
| El mentha | Mentha | Mint Cigarettes are very expensive. | Los cigarrillos de menta son muy caros. |
| El perejil | Parsley | Can you bake cookies with Parsley? | ¿Puedes hornear galletas con perejil? |
| El bálsamo de limón | Lemon balm | I have a headache and so I drank tea with Lemon balm. | Me duele la cabeza y por eso tomé té con bálsamo de limón. |
El cardamomo – Cardamom in Spanish
Cardamom or “El cardamomo” in Spanish is one of the most popular spices in the word. In fact it is called as the “Queen of Spices” in India. Cardamom has a strong flavour and is used for making tea or as an additive for cooking.
In Spain, Cardamom is used for baking biscuits, cakes and also in some variations of pies and sweets. You can get cardamom in powdered form or also whole, green or black.
El clavo – Clove in Spanish
Clove or “El clavo” in Spanish is a very popular spice in Europe as it is considered very aromatic and tasty. Along with cardamom, you can find cloves being used for making biscuits and cakes.
Clove is also very popular since it’s an ingredient used in making toothpaste since it is very beneficial for the enamel in the teeth!
la canela – Cinnamon in Spanish
Cinnamon which is also known as “la canela “ in Spanish is a tree bark is commonly grown and produced in Indonesia, China, and India. It is used as a sweet flavourful ingredient. Cinnamon is well known for its sweet and aromatic taste. The Spanish word for the spice Cinnamon is “la canela”.
What do Spaniards make with Cinnamon? It is widely used for making tea and spice blends. Cinnamon buns are a speciality in many countries in Europe as they have a sweet an aromatic taste.
la pimienta negra – Black Pepper in Spanish
Black Pepper which is called as “la pimienta negra” in Spanish is without a doubt, the most commonly used spice all over the world. Black pepper has originated from India.
The Spanish word for the spice Black Pepper is “la pimienta negra”. What do Spaniards make with Black Pepper? Black Pepper is added to almost every gravy or savoury dish you could think of. Other than its food applications, it is also heavily used for its medicinal value. Pepper is prescribed to mothers, babies and children for boosting immunity.
La albahaca – Basil in Spanish
Basil or “La albahaca” in Spanish is one of the famous spices in Spain. Basil is native to tropical regions from central Africa to Southeast Asia. It is a tender plant, and is used in cuisines worldwide.
The Spanish word for the spice Basil is “La albahaca”. What do Spaniards make with Basil? Basil is one of the key ingredients for making Pesto Sauce and is fantastic with Pasta. Its brilliant on salads and one can also made a smoothie with Basil. Basil is used for making soups as well.
El perifollo – Chervil in Spanish
Chervil or “El perifollo” in Spanish is one of the common spices in Spain. Chervil is called Spanish parsley is a delicate herb related to parsley. It is commonly used to season mild-flavoured dishes and is a constituent of the Spanish herb mixtures.
The Spanish word for the spice Chervil is “El perifollo”. What do Spaniards make with Chervil? Chervil is used for making Chervil Vinaigrette and some sauces. It is also used as a top up on pizzas and pastas. Like Basil, it is used for making pastas and soups as well. Lemon chicken with Chervil sauce is a dish you’d find in high end restaurants.
El cilantro – Coriander in Spanish
The beautiful herb “El cilantro” in Spanish or Coriander in English is one of the more popular spices in Spain and you can find it in every supermarket. It is commonly used to season South East Asian cuisine such as Indian and Chinese cuisine. It is used generously and adds a strong flavour to dishes.
The Spanish word for the spice Coriander is “El cilantro”. What do Spaniards make with the spice Coriander? Coriander is used for making Dips, Thai Curry, Indian food recipes and sauces. It is used as a top up on rice and Chinese noodles. You can find it commonly in Thai, Indian and Chinese restaurants.
El Laurel – Laurel in Spanish
“El Laurel” in Spanish or Laurel in English is a world known herb right from the dawn of history!! The bay laurel originates in Asia and it grows into huge trees. Its leaves are evergreen, which were consecrated to the god Apollo, were highly valued in ancient times. A wreath of laurel leaves was given as a high honour to poets, singers and generals who could then “rest on their laurels”.
The Spanish word for the spice Laurel is “El Laurel”. What do Spaniards make with the spice Laurel? Laurel is also used in culinary for making vinegar, liquor, spicing up Indian cuisine and also for making flavoured steamed rice.
El hinojo – Fennel in Spanish
Fennel in English or “El hinojo” in Spanish is one of the very strongly flavoured herbs and is used in cooking all over Asia and Europe. It is a highly aromatic herb used in cooking and is one of the primary ingredients of absinthe.
It is used as a strong flavourful garnish. Mint is well known for its dominating taste. The Spanish word for the spice Fennel is “El hinojo”. What do Spaniards make with Fennel? Fennel is used for as a pizza topping, topping up pasta, soups, salad dressings, potato dressings, relish and also for stuffing, braising and making spreads.
El Orégano – Oregano in Spanish
You will be very familiar with the spice “Oregano” in English or “El Orégano” in Spanish as it is the main topping for a pizza and also for pasta sauce. Oregano is one of the most widely-used herbs across the world. It is found in Mexican cuisine commonly and is one of the components of chili powder. The dried form is very common, but fresh oregano is also employed in some dishes.
The Spanish word for the spice Oregano is “El Orégano”. What do Spaniards make with Oregano? Fennel is used for as the best pizza topping, topping up pastas and soups, salad dressings, potato dressings, relish and also for stuffing, braising and making spreads.
la menta – Mint in Spanish
Mint or “la menta” in Spanish is one of the most versatile herbs used in cooking all over the world. It is found in every country and is very tasty.
It is used as a strong flavourful garnish. Mint is well known for its dominating taste. The Spanish word for the spice Mint is “la menta”. What do Spaniards make with Mint? Mint is used for making mint tea, topping up pasta, Lemon chicken, as a salad dressing, potato dressing and also for making Blugur and couscous.
el perejil – Parsley in Spanish
Parsley or “el perejil” in Spanish is one of the most versatile herbs used in Middle Eastern cooking and is common all over Europe. It is found in every super market across the country.
It is used as a garnish, but more popularly used to spice up food. There are two varieties of parsley: curly leaf and flat leaf. Curly leaf is probably the most recognizable, as restaurants often use it as a garnish on their plating.
The Spanish word for the spice Parsley is “el perejil”. What do Spaniards make with the spice Parsley? Parsley is used for making pasta, pesto sauce, as a salad dressing, potato dressing and also for making sauces.
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