Spices are seasonings for
food that come from the bark, buds, fruit or flower parts, roots, seeds
or stems of various aromatic plants and trees.
According to the American Spice Trade Association (ASTA), spices are
'any dried plant product used primarily for seasoning purposes.' This
definition covers a wide range of plant and plant parts: tropical
aromatics, leafy herbs, spice seeds, roots, dehydrated vegetables, and
spice blends. (more)
At
one time only tropical aromatics like pepper, cinnamon, and cloves were
considered a spice. The leaves and seeds of temperate-zone plants like
basil and oregano were known as herbs. Today this classification has
shifted somewhat, even though still used in some circles. The term
spice now generally includes a whole range of elements: spices, herbs,
blends and dehydrated vegetables.