Sweet & Hot Spices

Cinnamon

• Cinnamon is a spice that's considered to be sweet, yet bitter at the same time. This spice comes in either sticks or ground up into a powder. Cinnamon is derived from the bark of the laurel tree and is cultivated in countries including India, Sri Lanka and Vietnam. In addition to use in baked goods, candy and other types of recipes, it's also used in coffee and tea in some regions of the world.

Chili Pepper

• Chili pepper is a hot spice made from dried varieties of the capsicum plant. The hotness depends on the type of pepper used, with habanero peppers tasting the hottest. Other types of chili peppers include cayenne, Tabasco and jalapeno. Common uses for chili pepper spices include salsas, chili, soups and meats. There are even candies available made from chili peppers.

Anise

• Anise is a sweet spice used in candies, liquors and pastries. The flavor is similar to licorice. Derived from a green-gray seed of the parsley family, anise is commonly found whole and in extract form. Its origins are in the eastern Mediterranean. Anise is now cultivated around the world including in the United States, Pakistan, North Africa and China.

Mustard Seed

• Mustard seeds are a form of hot spices that come from the cabbage family of plants. There are several varieties including white, yellow and brown. Mustard seed is commonly used in the pickling process and to create spreadable mustard for use on sandwiches and in dips. Seeds can either be used whole or ground into powder, while leaves are sometimes used in salads.