 A question from the file... How are Herbs and Spices different from each other? Love this question. I came upon the answer quite indirectly and by accident. A couple of years ago, I was looking up the best herbs to draw excess heavy metals (mercury, aluminum, etc.) out of the body. The process is called Chelating. Two that I constantly saw at the top of most sources were Cilantro and Coriander; and both come from the same plant. Cilantro comes from the leaves while Coriander comes from the seeds. It was then that I recognized that Cilantro was referred to as an herb and Coriander was called a spice.
So, the short answer is herbs come from leaves and green stems; whiles spices come from seeds, bark, flowers, roots, and woody stems. I know that I’m still guilty of constantly calling ginger and cinnamon “herbs” but technically they are spices. In terms of power or purpose difference, this answer is quite varied depending on the plant source. This link brings a little more out as well as gives a small herb / spice listing. www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/hortnews/2003/8-22-2003/herbsnspices.html
4 Comments
10/29/2011 18:50:36
Free Online Dictionary:
J.E.
10/30/2011 20:39:50
Thanks for the addition Mobile Massage NJ. I guess "technically" the key to it all is in the context. These dictionary definitions are very general. The spice definition doesn't even refer to the fact that culinary spices are only one part. Many spices are used as fragrances.When we check actual horticultural definitions we see a clearer breakdown. But yes, you are right in that really they are in the same or of the same things. Whichever term we use, I firmly believe that we will be healthier as we incorporate them in balance in our lives.
J.E. of Yashalife
11/10/2011 19:27:58
Hi Spices. Thank you for your comments on our article. You also have an incredible website with some really interesting spice blends. I will post the link for our readers. Good success! Leave a Reply. |
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