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About This Quiz
With the right combination of herbs and spices, you can turn the bland and boring into masterpieces of deliciousness. But it's not always easy to achieve the perfect blend when common ingredients often look so similar. Can you tell the difference between fresh oregano and basil? Play on to find out!
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Which herb or spice is shown in this image?
Chives
Chives are part of the allium genus along with scallions, onions, and leeks. In the U.S., chives are a popular herb and often available in grocery stores and garden centers. In cooking, chives are used mainly for their scapes, however, the flowering part of the plant can also be used in dressings and salads. As a perennial plant, chives will return year after year.
Sea salt
Chervil
Sage
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Which herb or spice is shown in this image?
Annatto seed
Coriander
Sea Salt
By definition, sea salt is salt that is produced out of evaporated salt water. Table salt comes from underground mines. In the U.S., companies can market table salt as sea salt as long as it meets the FDA's requirements. Depending on where it comes from and what other mineral compounds are present, sea salt can vary in color from white, to pink, to black.
Fennel
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Which herb or spice is shown in this image?
Oregano
Cloves
Cloves grow on a tree. They're harvested when they grow to be around two centimeters. Applications for clove vary greatly, from cooking to medicinal to everyday household uses. Cloves are said to ease medical problems such as nausea, vomiting, pain and swelling, and coughs. They can be used to keep ants away or combined with an orange to create a natural air freshener.
Cayenne Pepper
Caper
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Which herb or spice is shown in this image?
Chervil
Chervil, while not widely popular in the U.S., is considered one of the four fine French herbs. These are herbs that are essentials in a French kitchen, but they are typically added at the end of dishes so they don't lose their flavor. It is said that it can aid digestion, but this has yet to be scientifically proven.
Spearmint
Nutmeg
Horseradish
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Which herb or spice is shown in this image?
Peppermint
Lemon Balm
Chicory
Sage
Sage was used to cleanse spaces of evil in ancient times, and today people use it for similar purposes, particularly to cleanse their homes. The Romans used sage to numb the skin and as a diuretic. One of the most common culinary uses of sage in the U.S. is in stuffing for the Thanksgiving day turkey. Throughout history it has been speculated that sage helps brain function, but there is no conclusive research to back this up.
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Which herb or spice is shown in this image?
Fennel
Annatto Seed
Annatto seeds are commonly used as an alternative to chemical dyes in foods like cheese, cereal, and common snack items. In South America, indigenous persons used the seeds for body paint and, through traveling, spread the species throughout the continent. The tree from which the seeds come - the achiote tree - is believed to have been originally native to Brazil before being spread to other areas.
Cayenne
Caper
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Which herb or spice is shown in this image?
Horseradish
Saffron
Sorrel
Coriander
Coriander is also referred to as cilantro or Chinese parsley. All parts of the plant are edible, but the seeds and leaves are most commonly used in cooking. The seeds come from a small, dry fruit that grows on the coriander plant. Each fruit produces only two seeds.
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Which herb or spice is shown in this image?
Lavender
Fennel
Fennel stems can grow to reach heights of up to 8 feet tall, and the herb is known to have a sweet, licorice flavor. The plant is naturally occurring in the Mediterranean, with India as the largest fennel producer in the world.
Basil
Sassafras
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Which herb or spice is shown in this image?
Marjoram
Star Anise
Dill
Oregano
Fondly known by cheese-lovers everywhere as the "pizza herb," oregano has a rich past. Before hops were discovered as a way to mask unpleasant tastes in beer, oregano and other herbs were used. It's native to the Mediterranean and was originally used as a medical treatment for insect bites, sores, and muscle aches.
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Which herb or spice is shown in this image?
Cayenne Pepper
For many heartburn, indigestion, and bloating sufferers, the incredibly spicy cayenne pepper would seem like a natural food to stay away from. However, studies show that not only is cayenne potentially helpful in pain relief, it can also significantly reduce the discomfort and pain that accompany IBS symptoms.
Yellow Pepper
Jalapeno Pepper
Green Pepper
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Which herb or spice is shown in this image?
Cod
Olive
Grape
Caper
The caper can grow to be 4 feet tall and take the form of a shrub. It produces caper berries, which are served with the stems attached. The caper itself is the unblossomed flower of the plant, which has a tangy, sour flavor.
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Which herb or spice is shown in this image?
Cassava root
Horseradish
Horseradish is a root vegetable most often used in cooking as a spice or sauce. Cutting open a horseradish vegetable can cause irritation to the eyes and sinuses due to its potency. Horseradish and wasabi are in the same family, and the wasabi condiment is often made with horseradish due to wasabi shortages.
Potato
Onion
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Which herb or spice is shown in this image?
Saffron
Because it takes approximately 80,000 flowers to produce one pound of saffron, it's a costly seasoning and product. It's made from the long, red stigmas of the saffron flowers which are dried and ground up. Saffron is often used in dying fabrics and perfumes.
Coriander
Turmeric
Lavender
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Which herb or spice is shown in this image?
Chile
Thyme
Oregano
Sorrel
Sorrel is a vegetable that is often used as an herb in salads. Lovers of spanakopita watch out! Consuming sorrel, which is found in the delicious dish, in more than moderate amounts can result in kidney problems and irritated arthritis.
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Which herb or spice is shown in this image?
Dill
Lavender
Lavender and mint are in the same plant family. Lavender is often used as a fragrance in soaps and other products, and its scent acts as a natural mosquito repellent.
Mandarin
Lime
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Which herb or spice is shown in this image?
Basil
There are multiple varieties of basil, each with its own scent. Some basil varieties include: lemon basil, sweet basil, lettuce basil, and lime basil. This herb is considered a staple in Italian cooking.
Oregano
Thyme
Collard greens
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Which herb or spice is shown in this image?
Lemon pepper
Grass
Sassafras
Sassafras can grow up to 60 feet tall and its root bark is used in medicine. It used to be used commercially to flavor root beer and in tea, but because it contains the poisonous compound, safrole, the FDA banned its usage.
Mushroom
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Which herb or spice is shown in this image?
Marjoram
Marjoram and oregano are closely related - so closely that in some middle eastern countries, the two are treated interchangeably. Marjoram is native to Turkey and Cyprus. The flowers are used to make essential oils with anti-inflammatory properties believed to help with joitn pain, nausea, and gas.
Basil
Thyme
Leafy greens
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Which herb or spice is shown in this image?
Lime
Oak
Maple
Star Anise
Star Anise is a tree that can grow up to 45 feet tall. It is used to flavor licorice. The tree's flowers attract beetles who pollinate it. Essential oils produced from star anise are often used in cosmetic and bath products mainly for the fragrance.
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Which herb or spice is shown in this image?
Dandelion root
Dill
Dill is part of the celery family and can grow up to 2 feet. Interestingly enough, when dill is cross-pollinated with fennel, the resulting hybrid plant is flavorless.
Yams
Hops
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Which herb or spice is shown in this image?
Black Pepper
Chile
Garlic
Cardamom
Cardamom is indigenous to India, Nepal, Indonesia, and Bhutan. Coming in behind vanilla and saffron as the third priciest spice in the world, cardamom is most commonly used in Indian cuisine. Nordic countries use it in some baking dishes. Guatemala is currently the largest producer of cardamom at around 29,000 tons per year.
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Which herb or spice is shown in this image?
Potato
Chile
Squash
Vanilla Bean
Vanilla is part of the orchid family, and is the only plant in the entire family to produce any fruit. The beans grow on a vine which can scale a tree or post, growing to reach 30-50 feet. Where the Melipone Bee isn't around to pollinate, farmers have to hand pollinate this plant, which only grows in tropical (hot and moist) environments.
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Which herb or spice is shown in this image?
Parsley
Parsley is one of the most popular herbs in the world and can grow up to 2 feet in height. If you're ever looking for a quick bad breath fix, chew on some parsley! The Romans consumed parsley as a hangover cure.
Ginger
Cinnamon
Cat nip
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Which herb or spice is shown in this image?
Avocado
Celery
Instead of bouquets of flowers, athletes who won events in Ancient Greece were given celery bunches. In 1868, U.S.-based producer, Dr. Brown, began making a celery-flavored soda called Cel-Ray Tonic.
Lime
Zucchini
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Which herb or spice is shown in this image?
Onion
The heaviest onion ever recorded weighed in at 10 pounds 14 ounces. The average onion grows between 1 to 4.5 inches around. Onions release sulfuric acid when they're cut, which is what causes humans to cry.
Garlic
Fig
Potato
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Which herb or spice is shown in this image?
Cinnamon
Ancient Egyptians used cinnamon in the embalming process. When applied as a conditioner or as a paste, cinnamon can lighten human hair color. This spice comes from the bark of the Cinnamomum tree species.
Sugar
Salt
Ginger
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Which herb or spice is shown in this image?
Allspice
Turmeric
Hops
Catnip
When used in tea, catnip provides a very mild sedative effect. Many cats love this herb because when they consume it, they experience euphoria, but some cats are not effected in the same way. The plant also has natural mosquito repellent properties.
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Which herb or spice is shown in this image?
Black Pepper
Black pepper is native to India. It comes from the peppercorn fruit that grows on vines of the pepper plant. The peppercorns are harvested, briefly boiled, and then dried out.
Acorns
Allspice
Ginseng
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Which herb or spice is shown in this image?
Squash
Turmeric
Ginger
When it comes to Indian cooking, ginger is a common and important ingredient. India produces 30 percent of the world's raw ginger. Ginger has tons of health benefits, including reducing nausea, morning sickness, inflammation, muscle pain. It can also speed up the stomach-emptying process after eating as well as helping with indigestion.
Pumpkin
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Which herb or spice is shown in this image?
Tarragon
Tarragon is a shrub that can grow up to one foot and blooms in the summer. Tarragon leaves are used in cooking and have an anise, licorice-type flavor.
Sage
Lemongrass
Thistle
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n/a
Which herb or spice is shown in this image?
Pumpkin seeds
Sunflower seeds
Hemp seeds
Sesame seeds
Sudan, Tanzania, and India are the largest producers of sesame seeds. Sesame has one of the highest oil content of all seeds.
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Which herb or spice is shown in this image?
Cumin
The cumin spice is made of the ground-up dried seeds of the cumin plant fruit. Ancient Egyptians used cumin as a preservative in the embalming and mummification processes. India produces 70 percent of the world's cumin.
Chile
Allspice
Cinnamon
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Which herb or spice is shown in this image?
Cabbage
Wasabi
Wasabi grows naturally in Japan at the edges of streams, partially submerged. The stems are used for cooking and making sauces. It is in the same plant family as horseradish, cabbage, and mustard.
Kale
Horseradish
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Which herb or spice is shown in this image?
Coriander
Turmeric
Tamarind
Tamarind is a tree that produces large fruit that contain pulp and seeds inside a hard pod. The pulp is highly acidic and is a brownish-red color.
Shrub
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Which herb or spice is shown in this image?
Chili Flakes
Multiple varieties of dried chili pepper are usually combined and ground up to form typical store-bought chili powder seasonings. Some types of chili pepper include bell, cayenne, jalapeno, and ancho (poblano).
Cinnamon
Allspice
Nutmeg
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Which herb or spice is shown in this image?
Pepper
Allspice
Perhaps considered one of the most generic spices almost everyone has in their kitchen, allspice actually offers quite a few interesting benefits. This plant is believed to help with pain relief, improve blood circulation, improve mood, fight fungal infections, decrease blood pressure, reduce inflammation, and has many other benefits.
Steak seasoning
Nutmeg
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Which herb or spice is shown in this image?
Lettuce
Kale
Collard greens
Mustard
Mustard, the condiment, is made of ground-up mustard plant seeds. The plant leaves are also eaten as greens.
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Which herb or spice is shown in this image?
Nutmeg
Licorice Root
While mainly recognized for its use in flavoring candy and beverages, licorice has a rich history of medical applications. Today it is believed that licorice root and its extract can help with soothing the stomach, producing healthy phlegm, and fighting off cancer.
Cassava root
Parsnip
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Which herb or spice is shown in this image?
Thyme
Ancient Egyptians used thyme in the embalming process, and ancient Greeks used thyme for bathing and for incense. While thyme is most commonly used as a cooking ingredient, it can also be employed as a decorative piece in floral arrangements.
Oregano
Basil
Pepper
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Which herb or spice is shown in this image?
Lavender
Citrus
Chamomile
Chamomile is an ancient herb with a rich medicinal history. There are two common varieties: German chamomile and Roman (aka English) chamomile. It is believed to have strong anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and antioxidant benefits.
Lemon
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Which herb or spice is shown in this image?
Blossom
Orchid
Dandelion
Caraway
When used in cooking and baking, the caraway fruit - which has an anise or licorice flavor - is often used whole. Finland, whose long summer days are perfect for the caraway plant, produces 28 percent of the world's caraway.
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Which herb or spice is shown in this image?
Thyme
Bay Leaf
There are different varieties of bay leaf, including the bay laurel, the California bay leaf, the Indian bay leaf, and the Indonesian bay leaf, among numerous others. Bay leaves are typically used whole for seasoning but aren't directly consumed due to their bitter taste and abrasive texture.
Oregano
Parsley
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Which herb or spice is shown in this image?
Spearmint
Spearmint goes by many other names, including common mint, garden mint, and lamb mint. It's known for its many health benefits. Spearmint has vitamins and antioxidants along with other nutrients.
Fennel
Tea
Tobacco
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Which herb or spice is shown in this image?
Black peppercorn
Allspice
Nutmeg
Alton Brown carries a nutmeg seed with him. He recommends always grinding it fresh.
Cinnamon
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Which herb or spice is shown in this image?
Cabbage
Peppermint
Peppermint is a hybrid cross between watermint and spearmint. Like its parent, spearmint, peppermint offers a variety of health benefits, perhaps most notably when it comes to IBS and gastrointestinal relief.
Ground Ivy
Hops
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Which herb or spice is shown in this image?
Lavender
Rosemary
Sage
Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is a member of the mint family whose leaves are commonly used in teas for flavoring. Honeybees are naturally attracted to the lemon balm plant, so it's used as a tool to spark honey production.
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Which herb or spice is shown in this image?
Chicory root
Chicory root is used as a coffee substitute in Europe. It can also be used to make a blend with coffee beans. The plant is native to France. Chicory and coffee share similar flavors, but this plant doesn't have any caffeine.
Cassava root
Dandelion root
Beet root
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Which herb or spice is shown in this image?
Thyme
Rosemary
A member of the mint family, rosemary is believed to help thicken hair, stabilize hormones, nourish skin, reduce inflammation and improve memory. The plant has needle-like, spiny leaves and woody stems and branches.
Oregano
Parsley
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