KS1 (Age 5-7)KS2 (Age 7-11)11 Plus (Age 7-11)KS3 (Age 11-14)GCSE (Age 14-17)PSHE A.I.ESL Spanish Specialist Games

Need help with Herbs and Spices - Culinary Herbs and Spices 2? Ask our AI Tutor!

AI Tutor - Lucy

Connecting with Tutor...

Please wait while we establish connection

Hi! I'm Lucy, your AI tutor. How can I help you with Herbs and Spices - Culinary Herbs and Spices 2 today?

now

Some foods seem to be made for each other - like tomato and basil!

Herbs and Spices - Culinary Herbs and Spices 2

Herbs and spices come from plants, but they are not the same thing. This quiz explores where flavours come from and how to use, store, and grow popular kitchen favourites.

Explore the Topic →

(quiz starts below)

Fascinating Fact:

Spices such as cinnamon, cloves, and black pepper usually come from tropical plants. In the UK they are mostly bought rather than grown outdoors.

Culinary herbs and spices add flavour, colour, and aroma, and many come from parts of plants you might not expect. Herbs are often the leaves or soft stems, while spices can come from seeds, berries, bark, roots, or dried flower buds. Gardeners can grow plenty of everyday herbs in the UK, from thyme and chives to coriander and basil, either in borders or in pots near the kitchen door. Success usually depends on giving each plant what it likes, such as bright light for Mediterranean herbs, or consistently moist compost for plants that hate drying out. Regular picking keeps many herbs producing fresh growth, and good hygiene, like removing dead leaves and watering the compost rather than the foliage, helps reduce problems. Knowing which plant part you are harvesting also matters, because it affects how you cut, dry, and store it for best results.

Key Terms

Aromatic: Having a strong, pleasant smell, often released when leaves are crushed or warmed.
Harvest: To pick or cut plant parts, such as leaves or stems, ready to use or store.
Bolting: When a plant quickly produces a tall flower stem, which can reduce leaf quality in some herbs.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What is the difference between a herb and a spice?

A herb usually comes from the leafy part of a plant, such as parsley or mint. A spice usually comes from other parts, such as seeds, bark, roots, or dried fruit.

How do you keep herbs growing well in pots?

Use pots with drainage holes, water when the top of the compost feels dry, and place them where they get enough light. Regular picking also helps many herbs stay bushy.

Why do some herbs turn bitter or stop producing leaves?

Some herbs become bitter when they start flowering, or if they are stressed by drought or poor light. Pinching out flower stems and keeping watering steady can help.

Try These Related Quizzes

To see a larger image, click on the picture.

1 .

Can you name this herb?

Photograph courtesy of www.flickr.com/photos/dmott9/

Chicory

Wormwood

Hyssop

Bay leaf

Latin Name: Cichorium intybus.
Grows wild in Britain and throughout Europe.
Usually the flowers are bright blue but occasionally they are white or pink.
The roots are baked and ground and then used as an additive to coffee.
The Belgians have perfected the growing of 'blanched endives' from the roots and they export the product to many different countries.

2 .

Can you name this herb?

Photograph courtesy of Fastily

Hyssop

Chicory

Bay leaf

Fennel

Latin Name: Laurus nobilis.
The leaves have a very distinctive flavour and fragrance particularly after they have been dried for several weeks.
Frequently used in bouquet garni (a collection of herbs that are usually encased in a cheesecloth bag, and used for flavouring a soup or stew).
The plants are often grown in containers and kept neatly trimmed.

3 .

Can you name this herb?

Photograph courtesy of Anemoneprojectors

Elderflower

Lemon thyme

Rosemary

Marjoram

Latin Name: Origanum majorana.
Very similar plant to oregano and often confused with it.
There are many different varieties with leaves that can be green, yellow or variegated.
A popular ingredient in sausages, stuffings and preserved meat as well as its use for adding flavour to tomato and vegetable dishes.
In the garden, it can become woody but when cut back it will again produce succulent young growth.

4 .

Can you name this herb?

Photograph courtesy of Castielli

Lemon thyme

Marjoram

Sweet basil

Fennel

Latin Name: Ocimum basilicum.
Sometimes known as Saint Joseph's Wort.
Has been cultivated in India for more than 5,000 years.
Grows quickly when it is warm but dislikes the cold intensely and soon withers and dies when it is chilled.
The delicate flavour of the leaves is quickly lost after picking.
Although it can be dried it is best used fresh.

5 .

Can you name this herb?

Photograph courtesy of Alvesgaspar

Lemon thyme

Fennel

Wormwood

Elderflower

Latin Name: Foeniculum vulgare.
Grows to over 2 metres tall and is recognizable by its feathery foliage and profusion of yellow flowers.
Often seen growing wild along roadsides.
Prefers light, dry soils.
An ingredient (along with wormwood and anise) in the highly alcoholic drink known as absinthe.
Used by itself it has an aniseed flavour.

6 .

Can you name this herb?

Photograph courtesy of J.M. Garg

Elderflower

Sweet basil

Wormwood

Rosemary

Latin Name: Sambucus nigra.
A deciduous shrub that is often found growing wild in Britain.
Flowers are brilliant white and these are followed by dark purple fruits.
The flowers are used to make a refreshing drink.
The berries are used to make jam and are sometimes used to give more flavour to apple and blackberry pies.
All green parts of the plant are poisonous.

7 .

Can you name this herb?

Photograph courtesy of flagstaffotos

Rosemary

Marjoram

Hyssop

Chicory

Latin Name: Rosmarinus officinalis.
Leaves resemble pine needles and it is these that are chopped and used for flavouring.
A sprig is often placed with meat (especially lamb) when cooking.
A prime ingredient in some recipes for stuffing.
A very decorative plant that is found in almost all herb gardens - lives for 20 years or more.

8 .

Can you name this herb?

Photograph courtesy of www.flickr.com/photos/peganum/

Bay leaf

Hyssop

Fennel

Wormwood

Latin Name: Hyssopus officinalis.
Sometimes used as an ornamental shrub - attractive blue flowers are produced from June to October.
Leaves are used fresh or dried with meat and fish dishes and with stews.
Tastes similar to sage with a hint of mint.
It is said to have many helpful effects when digested and placing crushed leaves on a wound will promote healing.

9 .

Can you name this herb?

Photograph courtesy of David Monniaux

Elderflower

Sweet basil

Bay leaf

Wormwood

Latin Name: Artemisia absinthium.
An aromatic, bitter herb that is occasionally used in cooking.
Used to be popular as a medicinal herb and was used to treat colds and rheumatism.
When taken in large quantities the oil extracted from the plant can be poisonous, so much so that the USA has banned some products that contain it.

10 .

Can you name this herb?

Photograph courtesy of www.flickr.com/photos/alyssssyla/

Rosemary

Sweet basil

Marjoram

Lemon thyme

Latin Name: Thymus x citriodorus.
The picture shows a variegated form of the plant.
Leaves crushed between your fingertips emit a wonderfully fresh scent.
A decorative little plant that is often seen in alpine gardens.
Used to flavour savoury dishes and to make a weak herbal tea for help with respiratory complaints.
Often used in herb pillows and pot pourris.

Author: Colin King

**Unlimited Quizzes Await You! 🚀**

Hey there, quiz champ! 🌟 You've already tackled today's free questions.
Ready for more?

🔓 Unlock UNLIMITED Quizzes and challenge yourself every day. But that's
not all...

🔥 As a Subscriber you can join our thrilling "Daily Streak" against other
quizzers. Try to win a coveted spot on our Hall of Fame Page.

Don't miss out! Join us now and keep the fun rolling. 🎉

Subscribe & Play

**Unlimited Quizzes Await You! 🚀**

Hey there, quiz champ! 🌟 You've already tackled today's free questions. Ready for more?

🔓 Unlock UNLIMITED Quizzes and challenge yourself every day. But that's not all...

🔥 As a Subscriber you can join our thrilling "Daily Streak" against other quizzers. Try to win a coveted spot on our Hall of Fame Page.

Don't miss out! Join us now and keep the fun rolling. 🎉

Subscribe & Play

Leave Feedback