Mediterranean cuisine is one of the most acclaimed globally, thanks to the richness of foods, herbs, and spices that bring its recipes to life. Among the culinary gems that stand out in this corner of the world, we find the Italian, French, and, of course, our own, Spanish.

A Gastronomic Shade: The Difference Between Herbs and Spices

Although their use is very common in homes and restaurants, there are sometimes certain confusions between the two concepts. What is primarily the difference between herbs and spices?

The so-called aromatic herbs are usually the fragrant leaves of some plant or tree, while the concept of spice is usually applied to hard parts like seeds, bark, or roots of plants.

The Best Herbs and Spices to Flavor Mediterranean Cuisine

In Mediterranean gastronomy, there is nothing like the right touch of spices and condiments to enhance the different flavors of the dish and achieve a perfect balance combination. Choosing which spices to add and combine can be tricky, so here are two lists of the most useful and easy-to-combine spices and herbs for you to include in your recipes:

Mediterranean Aromatic Herbs to Give a Unique Flavor to Your Dishes:

1. Parsley: It serves for almost everything in the kitchen. It is an appetizing, stimulating, and diuretic herb, and usually, the chopped leaves and stems are used. It usually accompanies salads, seafood, and red meats.
2. Basil: It is sweet with a slightly licorice flavor. Well known in Italian cuisine, as it is the main ingredient in pesto sauce. It is used in tomato sauce, soups, and salads.
3. Bay leaf: Known for its use of dried leaves. It usually accompanies sauces for fish, with vegetables, or boiled dishes. It is also used to flavor stewed meat.
4. Oregano: Sometimes used to prepare infusions, as it has important stomach properties and stimulates digestive functions. In traditional cuisine, it is used for stews, poultry or seafood dishes, apart from Italian pizzas and pastas.

Don't forget about spices, these are the most used Mediterranean spices:

1. Black pepper: Ground pepper is a tasty seasoning for cooked vegetables and pasta dishes. It has many properties such as being an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, helps reduce cholesterol, and increases nutrient absorption.
2. Paprika: It is one of the fundamental ingredients in Spanish cuisine. There are three varieties of paprika, sweet, spicy, and bittersweet, which are widely used in recipes to give a characteristic or spicy touch to dishes.
3. Saffron: Bitter in taste and highly aromatic, it is indispensable in Spain for paellas. It is also used to add flavor to rice, meats, and seafood. It is one of the spices with the highest economic value due to its delicacy in harvesting and handling.
4. Turmeric: It has great gastronomic versatility and is attributed with medicinal properties. It has an orange-yellow color that sometimes can be confused with curry. Its sweet, spicy, and bitter taste means that the quantities used should be small, and it usually accompanies rice, meats, and fish.

And although garlic doesn't fit exactly into either of the two groups, its presence as a seasoning with herbs or spices enhances the flavor, especially in sauces and stews. 

Curious Facts About Spices and Condiments

Exploring curiosities about these culinary wonders, we discover that one of the lesser-known and most surprising factors is that the main objective of using them is to stimulate the appetite, enhancing the flavor and aroma of the dishes. In addition, some spices can replace salt, being a valuable ally for those looking to moderate their consumption.

On the other hand, although many of them exhibit green tones, some, like turmeric and saffron, not only contribute flavor but also a vibrant touch of color to the dish; let's not forget that the presentation of the dish is a point of great importance.

Enjoy the Best Mediterranean Cuisine at Fancy Restaurant

Would you like to savor examples of Mediterranean dishes seasoned with the best typical spices of Mediterranean gastronomy? Do not hesitate to visit Fancy Restaurant in Estartit with over 30 years of experience in Mediterranean cuisine, a cozy atmosphere, and a wide selection and variety of options. We await you to enjoy the best Mediterranean cuisine!