Most of us use spices and herbs in our cooking every day, whether for a breakfast menu or a light dinner. Many of us even use both ingredients for their medicinal properties to treat certain health conditions, such as nausea and vomiting. However, how much do we know the difference between spices and herbs?

Essentially, both spices and herbs have similar characteristics and benefits. But there are also some differences that most of us might not know, including where they come from and different ways to use them in cooking.

If you’re curious to learn more about the differences between the two magical ingredients, read below to find out more!

Herbs and spices come from different parts of the plant.

According to Encyclopedia.com, herbs are the green, leafy parts of the plant. Herbs are most efficacious and flavorsome when used fresh. Examples of herbs are basil, rosemary, sage, thyme, and parsley.

On the other side, spices are derived from any part of a plant that is not a leaf, such as flower buds, bark, root, or seeds. Spices are usually used in a small amount and are best used dry as the drying process often enhances the flavor. Examples of spices are turmeric, ginger, black pepper, and cinnamon.

Herbs and spices mostly grow in different climates and regions.

Herbs are primarily grown in hot and often dry climates throughout North America, Mexico, and Central America. However, some herbs are also widespread throughout the tropical regions.

In comparison, spices mostly grow in subtropical and tropical climates. Hence, most spices originated from the Mediterranean, Southeast Asia, and India.

Some herbs and spices have relatively different looks.

Herbs and spices cover a wide range of growth habits and sizes of plants, which can be annuals, biennials, trees, and even grasses. Both ingredients also grow in various conditions, from tropical to polar regions. Some can even be found at sea level or near the tops of the highest mountains.
Despite this diversity, most of the better-known herbs and spices fall into two distinct groups: the Lamiaceae (mint family) and the Apiaceae (carrot family). Each group has some distinct differences in the looks of spices or herbs that they produce.

Herbs and spices that fall into the Lamiaceae group are characterized by young stems that are four-angled, simple opposite leaves, and flowers with five more or less fused petals. Most of these herbs and spices originate from Mediterranian or Central Asia. Examples of spices and herbs from this group are basil, bergamot, calamint, lavender, rosemary, sage, and thyme.

The other group of herbs and spices is known as the Apiaceae. Herbs and spices in this group mainly originate from temperate regions worldwide, including North America and Mexico. Some common characteristics of plants in this group are being aromatic and having hollow stems, small, and having five-petaled flowers appear in umbels. Examples of spices and herbs from this group are coriander, cumin, chervil, and parsley.

Conclusion

Although the terms herbs and spices are often used interchangeably, both ingredients have some essential differences that distinguish them, such as the temperatures and climates they grow in, the regions they originate from, and physical characteristics.

Whether you want to use spices or herbs in your cooking or herbal medicine, both ingredients offer numerous benefits for your body. Most importantly, before deciding which ingredient you want to use, make sure that you only get them from trustworthy and reliable sources.

References:
1. https://www.encyclopedia.com/plants-and-animals/botany/botany-general/herbs-and-spices
2. https://www.almanac.com/what-difference-between-spices-and-herbs