Spice Pairings

This matrix  provides you a quick glance at spices, recommended pairings, sample recipes, and health benefits.
Click the spice image in the first column for 101 introduction about the spice.

Spice 101Pair well with Complement with RecipesHealth Benefits
Allspice

Allspice

Bay leaves, cardamom, cinnamon,
cloves, coriander seed, cumin seed,
fennel seed, ginger, juniper,
mustard seed, paprika,
turmeric
Root vegetables, spinach,
meat and vegetable soups,
roast meats,
gravies, marinades and sauces,
seafood, especially shellfish,
pickles, relishes and preserves, cakes,
pies and biscuits
Allspice recipesHigh blood pressure
Menopause
 Cardamom

Cardamom

Allspice, chili, cinnamon, coriander seed,
cumin, ginger, green cardamom,
mustard, paprika, pepper,
star anise,
turmeric
Marinades for roast meats, butter chicken, Chinese master stocks,
Asian soups
Cardamom recipesAsthma
Blood clots
Colon cancer
Blood pressure
Indigestion
Ulcer
 Cinnamon

Cinnamon

Allspice, Cardamom, Chili, Clove,
Coriander, Cumin, Ginger, Nutmeg,
Star anise, Tamarind, Turmeric
Apple, Bananas, Oranges, Baked or stewed fruits
Curries, Califlower, Preserved lemons, Pickles
Chicken, Lamb
Cakes, Pastries
Hot drinks such as chai tea, Cocoa
Cinnamon recipesManage Diabetes Type 2
Balance blood sugar
Lower Cholesterol
Improve metabolic syndrome
Insulin Resistance
Relieve yeast infection
 Clove

Clove

Allspice, Cardamom, Cinnamon,
Coriander, Cumin, Ginger, Nutmeg,
Star anise, Tamarind, Turmeric
Apples, Oranges, Lemon
Beets, Red cabbage, Onions, Pumpkin, Pickles
Ham, Pork, Game
Chocolate, Mulled wine
Clove recipesRelieve Toothache
Treat gum disease
Fight ulcers and herpes
Slow blood clotting
Coriander

Coriander Seed

Allspice, cardamom, chili, cinnamon,
cloves, cumin, fennel seed,
garlic, ginger, pepper.
Apples, citrus fruit, potatoes, mushrooms,
pepper, vegetables, lentils, poultry,
pork, fish, stew, curries,
harissa, tabil, dukka, masalas.
Coriander seed recipesIrritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Indigestion
Liver Function
Cholesterol
Yeast Infection
 Cumin

Cumin

Allspice, cardamom, chili, cinnamon,
cloves, coriander seed, fennel seed,
fenugreek seed, ginger, mustard,
paprika, tamarind, turmeric
Indian curries and practically all Asian red curries,
chicken and seafood dishes,
rice and vegetable dishes,
breads, Mexican sauces
Cumin recipesCancer
Type 2 Diabetes
Epilepsy
Osteoporosis
 Garlic

Garlic

Ajowan, bay leaves, caraway, chives,
coriander, fennel seeds, mustard,
oregano, parsley, pepper, rosemary,
sage, tarragon,
thyme, mint
Practically every savory dishGarlic recipesAging
Hair loss
Blood clots
Cancer
High total cholesterol, high triglycerides
Diabetes, type 2
Heart disease
High blood pressure
Stroke
 Ginger

Ginger

Allspice, cardamom, chili, cinnamon,
cloves, coriander, cumin, fennel seed,
lemongrass, paprika, star anise, turmeric
Cakes, pastries and biscuits, pumpkin scones,
baked pumpkin, curries, Asian stir-fries,
red meats, seafood
Ginger recipesArthritis
Asthma
Cancer
Cholesterol problems
Heart attack
Heartburn
Indigestion
Migraine
Stroke
 Mustard Seed

Mustard Seed

Allspice, cardamom, chili, cinnamon,
cloves, coriander, cumin, fennel,
fenugreek seed, ginger, nigella, paprika,
pepper,
star anise, tamarind, turmeric
Pickles, Indian curries, salad dressings,
spiced vinegars, curry powders,
pickling spices,
meat seasonings
Mustard Seed recipesProstate
Cancer
Cholesterol problems
Diabetes, type 2
Heart disease
Insulin resistance
 Nutmeg

Nutmeg

Allspice, cinnamon, cloves, coriander,
ginger
Pumpkin, potato, spinach, cheese sauce,
milk and rice puddings,
sweet spicy cakes, biscuits
Nutmeg recipesAnxiety, Depression
Cancer
Cholesterol
Epilepsy
Memory loss
 Sesame Seed

Sesame Seed

Allspice, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, coriander,
ginger, nutmeg, paprika,
sumac, thyme
Breads, biscuits, saladsSesame Seed recipesAlzheimer's disease
Cancer
Cholesterol
Heart disease
High blood pressure
Turmeric

Turmeric

Allspice, caraway, cardamom, chili,
cinnamon,
cloves, coriander,
fennel seed, fenugreek seed, garlic, ginger, lemongrass,
mustard,
paprika, parsley, tamarind, mint
Asian and Indian curries, Moroccan tagines,
stir-fried chicken, seafood and vegetables,
pickles, sauces, rich dishes
Turmeric recipesSkin – Acne, eczema, psoriasis,
Alzheimer’s disease
Arthritis
Asthma
Cancer
Cholesterol problems
Depression
Diabetes, type 2
Gout
Gum disease
Heart disease
High blood pressure
Liver disease
Overweight
Parkinson’s disease
Stroke