The best spice blends from around the world
The top 3 according to 926 votes from people: Garam masala · Za'atar · Ras el hanout. (Updated Mar 24, 2021.)
Garam masala, ras el hanout, za'atar, berbere and five-spice: the classic spice mixes of world cuisines.
Top 22
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1
Garam masala
The warm North Indian blend of cinnamon, cardamom, cloves and pepper.
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2
Za'atar
Levantine mix of wild thyme, sumac and sesame seeds.
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3
Ras el hanout
Maghreb blend whose name means 'head of the shop', with dozens of spices.
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4
Berbere
Ethiopian chili blend with fenugreek, the base of many stews.
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5
Five-spice powder
Chinese blend of star anise, cloves, cinnamon, Sichuan pepper and fennel.
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6
Dukkah
Egyptian blend of nuts, seeds and spices for dipping bread.
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7
Curry powder
The British-born blend inspired by Indian cooking.
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8
Shichimi tōgarashi
Japanese seven-spice mix with chili, sansho and sesame.
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9
Khmeli suneli
Georgian blend with blue fenugreek and marigold.
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10
Chaat masala
Tangy Indian mix with dried mango powder and black salt.
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11
Baharat
All-purpose Middle Eastern blend for meats and rice.
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12
Hawaij
Yemeni blend used in soups and in coffee.
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13
Advieh
Persian blend with rose petals, cardamom and cinnamon.
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14
Mitmita
Fiery Ethiopian blend of bird's eye chili and cardamom.
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15
Tandoori masala
Red blend for marinating meats for the tandoor.
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16
Herbes de Provence
Dried thyme, savory, rosemary and oregano from southern France.
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17
Quatre épices
French four-spice mix of pepper, nutmeg, cloves and ginger.
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18
Tajín
Mexican seasoning of chili, salt and dehydrated lime.
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19
Panch phoron
Bengali five-seed blend fried whole in oil.
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20
Fines herbes
French blend of parsley, chives, tarragon and chervil.
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21
Old Bay Seasoning
Maryland's seafood seasoning with celery salt and paprika.
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22
Pumpkin pie spice
American blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and cloves.
How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.
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Comments (9)
Berbere is so underrated outside Ethiopian restaurants, I put it on roast chicken now
Making my own garam masala instead of buying it was a game changer. Toast the spices first.
Za'atar on flatbread with olive oil is breakfast sorted
Khmeli suneli is new to me, adding it to the shopping list
Tajín on mango, nothing better in summer
Pumpkin pie spice on a world spice list is a bit generous lol
Hawaij in coffee sounds odd but it's lovely with cardamom
No baharat at number 1? fair enough, garam masala earns it
Old Bay on fries is the Maryland way