Cuisine/ Spices

Similarity, Substitute, or comment (note: these substitutions can cause large variations in flavor)

American (including Creole and Tex-Mex and typical baking spices)

Caribbean

Mexican/ Central & South American

African

Middle Eastern

Mediter- ranean (e.g.  Greek, Spanish, North Africa, the Levant)

French

Italian

Scandi- navian/ German

Eastern Europe/ Russia

East Asian (e.g. Chinese, Japanese, Korean)

South- eastern Asia (e.g.Thai, Vietnamese)

South Asian (e.g. Indian)

Ajowan

Thyme

X

X

Allspice #

1/2 cinnamon, 1/2 clove, pinch of nutmeg

X

X

Amchoor Powder (green mango)

lemon juice to taste

X*

Anise Seed

fennel seeds, or star anise (1/2 tsp=1 crushed star anise)

X

X

X

Asafoetida

1/4 tsp=1/4 tsp Garlic + 1/4 tsp onion powder

X*

Basil

X

X

X

X*

X*

X

Bay Leaves

X

X

X

X

X

Bell Peppers

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Caraway Seed#

Dill seed or anise seed

X

X

Cardamom

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Cayenne

Other peppers

X

X

X

Charnushka/ Nigella/ Sativa/ Kolonji

cumin or ajowan or caraway

X

X

X

Chiles (dried, red)

Other peppers

X

X

X

X*

Chiles (dried, e.g. Ancho, Chipotle, Guajillo,  New Mexico, Pasilla)

Other peppers

X

X

Chiles (fresh, e.g. serrano,  jalapeno, cayenne)

Other peppers

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Chinese Five spice#

If not planning on using extensively, mix as needed

X

Chives

Chopped green onions, scallions, or garlic chives

X

Cilantro (leaves)

Parsley or basil (vastly different flavor)

X*

X*

X*

X

X

X*

X*

X*

Cinnamon (ground and sticks)

X

X

X*

X

X

X

X

X

X

X*

Cloves

allspice

X

X

X

X*

Coconut (shredded)

X

X

X*

Coconut milk

X

X

X

Coriander (seed)

cumin, fennel, or caraway seeds

X

X*

X

X*

Crushed Red Pepper

Other peppers

X

X*

X*

X

X*

Cumin

Coriander or chili powder

X

X*

X

X

X*

Curry/ Kari Leaves

X*

Curry Powder-Indian

X

X

X*

Curry Powder or Paste– Thai (green, red)

X*

Dill Seed

caraway or celery seeds

X

Dill Weed

tarragon

X

X

X

Epazote

savory or parsley

X

Fennel Leaves+

X

Fennel Seed

anise or caraway or dill or cumin

X

X

X*

Fenugreek Seeds

yellow mustard seeds (different taste)

X

X

X

X

X*

Fenugreek Leaves (Methi)

celery leaves or watercress (different taste)

X

X

X*

File Powder

1 tbsp = 2 tsp cornstarch mixed with 1tbsp cold water

X

Garam Masala

If not planning on using extensively, mix as needed

X*

Garlic

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X*

Ginger

1 tbsp fresh = 1/8 tsp ground

X

X

X

X

X*

X

X*

Herbs de Provence+

Jamaican Jerk

If not planning on using extensively, mix as needed

X

Japanese seven spice#

If not planning on using extensively, mix as needed

X

Leek

green onions or scallions, or yellow/white onions (discard tougher portions or extend cooking time if using as substitute)

X

X

Lemongrass

1 stalk= 1.5 tsp lemon zest + 1/8 tsp minced fresh ginger

X

Lemon Juice

X

X

X

X

X

X

Lemon Peel or dried lemon

X

X

Lime Juice

X

X

X

X

Lime Peel or dried limes (loomi)

X

Marjoram

Oregano

X

X

X

Mint Leaves

X

X

X

Mushrooms- fresh and dried

X

X

X

X

X

X

Mustard Seed - Yellow (hot)

X

X

Mustard Seed – Yellow (mild)

X

X

X

Mustard Seed – Brown

X

X*

Nutmeg

mace or allspice or cinnamon

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Oil, vegetable

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Oil, olive

X

X*

X*

X*

X*

Onion, green or scalliions

white onion or leeks

X

X

Onion, white/yellow

green onions or scallions, or leeks

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Oregano (Mexican or Greek)

marjoram or thyme or basil or savory or sage or parsley

X

X

X

X

X

Paprika

1tbsp= 1tbsp ancho pepper or pinch of other pepper

X

X

X

X

X

Parsley

chervil or cilantro or basil

X

X

X

X

X

Pomegranate Molasses#

X

Poppy Seed

X

X

Rosemary

X

X

X

Safflower

X

Saffron

10-15 crushed saffron threads= 1 tsp crushed Safflower (only provides color) OR 1/2 tsp turmeric + 1/2 tsp mild paprika (more pungent)

X

X

X

Sage

X

X

X

X

X

Sambar Powder

If not planning on using extensively, mix as needed

X

Savory Leaves#

X

X

Sesame Seeds

X

X

X

X

Sesame oil

X

X

X

X

X

Soy sauce

1tbsp= 1tbsp Maggi seasoning or 1/2 tsp salt + 1/2 tsp gran. Sugar dissolved in 1 tbsp hot water

X*

X*

Star Anise#

1 star anise=3/4 tsp anise seeds + pinch allspice

X

X

Stock/Broth/Bouillon, Vegetable, “Chicken” and “Beef”

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Sumac+

Lemon zest

X

Tahini

1cup= 3/4 cup nut butter (cashew, almond, or peanut) + 1/4 cup sesame oil

X

X

Tamarind

1 tbsp tamarind concentrate = 1.5 tbsp amchoor OR 1.5 tbsp lemon or lime juice OR 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

X*

X

X

X

X*

X*

Tarragon

chervil or fennel leaves or parsley or dill

X

X

Thyme

marjoram or oregano or basil or savory

X

X

X

X

X*

X

Tomato

X

X

X

X

X

X

X*

X*

X

Turmeric

X

X*

Vinegar- balsamic

X

Vinegar – rice

X

X

Vinegar – wine, red or white

lemon juice or amchoorpowder or 1/3 the amount of tamarind paste

X

X

X

X

+ I don't have this on hand, as I don't plan on using it extensively, and can just make due with substitutions when I come across the ingredient.

# I have these on hand, but find I don't use them often.