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Quizzes > Lifestyle & Hobbies

Spice Quiz: Test Your Herbs and Spices Knowledge

Quick, free herbs and spices quiz with instant results and helpful tips.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Salma HeikalUpdated Aug 26, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art herbs, spices and spice jars arranged around quiz title on sky blue background.

This herbs and spices quiz helps you check your flavor knowledge, from cinnamon to cumin, and learn a handy tip or two. Answer quick questions, see instant results, and get ideas to use in your next meal. When you are done, try the cooking quiz, take the international food quiz, or explore the world food quiz.

Which spice is derived from the dried stigmas of a flower and is known as the most expensive spice by weight?
Turmeric
Saffron
Paprika
Cumin
Saffron comes from the thin, thread-like stigmas of the Crocus sativus flower and requires thousands of flowers to produce just a small amount. This labor-intensive harvest process makes saffron the most expensive spice by weight. Its unique aroma, color, and flavor are prized in cuisines around the world.
Which spice is obtained from the inner bark of trees in the genus Cinnamomum?
Clove
Cinnamon
Allspice
Cardamom
Cinnamon is harvested by peeling and drying the inner bark of Cinnamomum trees, which curls into rolls known as cinnamon sticks. It has been used since ancient times for its sweet-spicy flavor in both sweet and savory dishes. True cinnamon (Ceylon cinnamon) is often distinguished from Cassia, a related but less expensive variety.
Which spice is produced by drying and grinding the berries of Piper nigrum?
Mustard
Sumac
Black pepper
White pepper
Black pepper is made by harvesting unripe peppercorns and then drying them until they turn dark and wrinkled. It is one of the most widely used spices worldwide, adding pungency and heat to dishes. White pepper, in contrast, is made from fully ripe berries with the outer skin removed.
Which vibrant yellow spice is commonly used in curries and as a dye and comes from the root of a plant?
Paprika
Saffron
Turmeric
Ginger
Turmeric is a bright yellow spice obtained by drying and grinding the rhizomes of the Curcuma longa plant. It is a staple in South Asian cuisine and is prized for its earthy flavor and color. The compound curcumin gives turmeric its distinctive hue and health properties.
Which spice is actually the seedpod of a plant in the ginger family and is known for its sweet, aromatic flavor?
Coriander
Anise
Fennel
Cardamom
Cardamom pods contain small black seeds that deliver a sweet, floral aroma and flavor. They belong to the Zingiberaceae (ginger) family and are used in both sweet and savory dishes, as well as in chai blends. Green cardamom is the most common variety, prized for its delicate fragrance.
Which spice, made from capsicum peppers, is often smoked for a distinctive flavor?
Smoked paprika
Aleppo pepper
Cayenne
Chili flakes
Smoked paprika is produced by smoking ripe peppers over oak fires before grinding, imparting a deep, smoky flavor. It is a key ingredient in Spanish cuisine, especially in dishes like chorizo and paella. Its vibrant red color and distinct aroma make it popular worldwide.
Which spice's name means 'allspice' due to its aroma reminiscent of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves?
Caraway
Mace
Allspice
Juniper
Allspice is made from the dried berries of the Pimenta dioica tree and gets its name because its flavor echoes cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. It is a staple in Caribbean and Middle Eastern cuisines, as well as in Jamaican jerk seasoning. The rigid, brown berries are ground when needed to preserve their pungency.
The red lacy aril surrounding the seed of the nutmeg tree is dried to produce which spice?
Star anise
Mace
Saffron
Fenugreek
Mace is the bright red aril that encloses the nutmeg seed of Myristica fragrans. When dried, it turns a deep orange-brown and offers a warm, nutmeg-like flavor that is slightly more delicate. It is used in European baking, sauces, and spice blends.
Which Indian spice blend typically includes black pepper, cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg?
Baharat
Dukkah
Garam masala
Za'atar
Garam masala is a fundamental North Indian spice blend that balances warming spices like black pepper, cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg. The exact composition can vary by region and chef, but it always imparts depth and warmth to curries and stews. It is usually added towards the end of cooking to preserve its aromatic qualities.
Which compound gives turmeric its distinctive yellow color and is studied for its anti-inflammatory properties?
Piperine
Curcumin
Capsaicin
Crocin
Curcumin is the principal curcuminoid of turmeric, responsible for its bright yellow hue and many of its purported health benefits. It has been extensively studied for anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Bioavailability is often enhanced when combined with piperine from black pepper.
Which pungent compound is responsible for the heat in black pepper?
Curcumin
Eugenol
Piperine
Capsaicin
Piperine is the alkaloid that gives black pepper its characteristic pungency and spiciness. Unlike capsaicin in chili peppers, piperine also enhances the bioavailability of other nutrients and compounds. It is concentrated in the outer layer of peppercorns.
Which spice comes from the seed of Myristica fragrans and is known for its warm, nutty flavor?
Nutmeg
Mace
Cinnamon
Allspice
Nutmeg is the dried seed of the Myristica fragrans tree, prized for its warm, sweet, and nutty flavor. It is widely used in baked goods, creamy sauces, and holiday dishes. The red aril around the seed yields mace, a related but distinct spice.
Which exotic North African spice blend can contain over 30 different ingredients including rosebuds, lavender, and grains of paradise?
Dukkah
Za'atar
Ras el hanout
Baharat
Ras el hanout, meaning 'head of the shop' in Arabic, is a prestigious Moroccan spice mix that can include dozens of ingredients such as rosebuds, lavender, grains of paradise, and multiple peppers. Each vendor or household may have its own secret recipe, making it one of the most complex spice blends in global cuisine. It imparts a layered, floral, and warm flavor to tagines and couscous dishes.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Key Spices -

    After completing the quiz on spices, you will be able to recognize and name both common and exotic herbs and spices by their appearance and aroma.

  2. Differentiate Herbs and Spices -

    You will understand the botanical distinctions between herbs and spices and how their uses vary in culinary applications.

  3. Recall Global Origins -

    You will be able to match spices to their regions of origin and describe traditional cultural uses in international cuisines.

  4. Apply Flavor Profiles -

    You will learn to associate specific flavor characteristics with individual spices and suggest complementary pairings for recipes.

  5. Ace Spicy Trivia Questions -

    You will improve your spice knowledge test performance by answering fun, spicy trivia questions with greater accuracy.

  6. Assess Your Spice Savvy -

    You will be able to measure your current understanding of cooking spices and track progress over time through quiz scores and feedback.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Spice Classification & Botanical Origins -

    Spices are commonly divided into four botanical categories - seeds, fruits, roots, and barks - each contributing unique textures and aromas (Journal of Food Science, 2020). Remember the mnemonic "Some Fruits Really Bake" to recall Seeds, Fruits, Roots, Barks quickly when tackling any quiz on spices or herbs and spices trivia round.

  2. Chemical Compounds & Scoville Scale -

    Key flavor compounds like eugenol in cloves and capsaicin in chili peppers define taste and aroma; capsaicin's chemical formula (C18H27NO3) underpins its heat intensity (ACS Journal). The Scoville scale, measuring capsaicin concentration, is a handy framework for comparing spice strength in any cooking spices quiz.

  3. Optimal Storage & Shelf Life -

    Proper storage in airtight, opaque containers away from light and heat preserves spice potency for up to two years (Penn State Extension). Always date your jars and follow the "smell test" to ensure your spice knowledge test is backed by fresh, vibrant flavors.

  4. Health Benefits & Phytochemical Synergy -

    Turmeric's active compound curcumin offers anti-inflammatory benefits, and when paired with black pepper's piperine, its bioavailability increases by up to 2,000% (NIH). Understanding this synergy can spice up both your spicy trivia questions and your wellness routine.

  5. Spice Blending Ratios & Layering -

    Mastering blends like garam masala often follows a 3:2:1 ratio (cumin, coriander, cardamom) to balance warm and aromatic notes (Culinary Institute of America). Use the "3-2-1" trick as a quick memory anchor for craftily balancing spices in any cooking spices quiz.

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