Definition: Spices

Spices are parts of aromatic plants with a strong flavour or preparations, particularly mixtures made from these plants. They are used in small quantities in cooking as preservatives, seasonings or colourings. Spices are different from other products used to flavour dishes, such as aromatic herbs or fruits. Most of them are exotic products. Spices were among the most expensive commercial products in ancient times and the Middle Ages[1]. Many spices were used in medicine in the past.

There are many aromatic nuances, gradually including the entire range of spices used in cooking and baking, which are found in a non-systematic way in various white and red wines that have reached a good level of maturity (pepper, thyme, bay leaf, vanilla, cinnamon, cloves, liquorice, etc.).