Definitions

Herbs are the leaves of certain plants that usually grow in temperate climates.

Spices are the buds, fruits, flowers, bark, seeds, and roots of plants and trees, many of which grow in tropical climates.

Table 6.1 is not a substitute for familiarity with the actual products. Eventually, you should be able to identify any spice on your shelf by aroma, taste, and appearance without looking at the label. The accompanying photos illustrate a number of whole spices.