7 Spices You Should Have in Your Pantry

Not only do spices add a touch of flavor to any meal, but they also contain numerous health benefits that our bodies crave.

Whether your spice pantry looks a bit empty or you've just moved to a new location, you'll need about seven essential spices to make a solid selection of flavorful foods that don't taste boring with just a little salt and pepper.

Filling your pantry with eclectic condiments gives you the opportunity to create the flavors you crave on any given day.

Of course, there are a ton of different spices, and it's not always clear which ones you absolutely need and which ones you could live without.

Instead of buying a plethora of different spices that you may not always use, learn the basics first.

This list is generally a good place to start if you're just starting out with cooking and filling out a spice rack.

ginger
Ginger is very versatile and can be used in a wide variety of dishes. It offers a lot of flavor and anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. You can even add a spoonful of ginger to your smoothies or tea! Ginger is also especially popular for baking and is the main ingredient in popular cookies like gingerbread men and gingerbread.
paprika
Bell peppers go well with most foods and can be sprinkled on chicken, roasted vegetables, and many other dishes. There are also a variety of flavors, such as sweet or smoky, to add extra flavor to your kitchen. You can rub it dry to garnish meat, garnish devilish eggs, or make an icing. Bell pepper also has antioxidant properties that can help improve immunity.
cinnamon
If you want to add sweetness to a dish without adding extra sugar, cinnamon is the spice to grab. Cinnamon is used in a variety of cuisines around the world and is popular in breakfast cereals, snacks, and tea. You can even sprinkle some cinnamon on your yogurt or oats or on root vegetables like sweet potatoes in the morning.
cumin
With its warm, earthy taste, cumin immediately gives every dish a certain depth of flavor. Typically the main ingredient in taco seasoning and chili powder, cumin can be used in a wide variety of dishes. Cumin seeds also contain naturally occurring substances that act as antioxidants and can help lower cholesterol and reduce weight.
Curry powder
Curry powder contains many flavors as it is not just a single spice. It's actually a blend of spices made up of turmeric, chili powder, ground coriander, ground cumin, ground ginger, and pepper. Curry powder is native to India and can be bought in most supermarkets or even made at home. It's great to add curry powder to dishes like stir-fries, stews, salad dressings, scrambled eggs, and even roasted vegetables.
Cayenne pepper
Some people get confused with cayenne pepper and red pepper flakes. Cayenne powder is made only from dried and crushed cayenne pepper peppers, while crushed paprika flakes are made from a mixture of three to four different peppers. Cayenne pepper gives a perfect amount of warmth to recipes like chilli, pasta sauces or vegetable dishes like beans and vegetables.
thyme
Thyme has a distinct herbal taste that can be added to a dish at any point in the cooking process. It is especially good to toss in broth, stews, and anything else that you plan to cook for a long time, as it will leave sharp, earthy, floral notes in your dish.

By filling your pantry with versatile condiments, you can create all the flavors you want. As you cook more you can slowly build your arsenal and specialize, but these are some of the basic condiments that you should always keep in your pantry.

About the author:

Brooke Kelly is a freelance writer and business journalist based in New York City. When not working, she can travel, jam to music, and hike with her corgi.