Spices & Herbs Quiz

Question 1

Which spice is the world's most expensive by weight?

Accepted Answer

Saffron

Answer

Vanilla

Answer

Cardamom

Answer

Truffle

Question 2

What gives turmeric its distinctive yellow colour?

Accepted Answer

Curcumin

Answer

Carotene

Answer

Flavonoids

Answer

Tannins

Question 3

Vanilla comes from the pods of which type of plant?

Accepted Answer

An orchid vine

Answer

A tree

Answer

A bush

Answer

A cactus

Question 4

Which country produces approximately 80% of the world's vanilla?

Accepted Answer

Madagascar

Answer

Mexico

Answer

Indonesia

Answer

Tahiti

Question 5

What part of the cinnamon tree is used as a spice?

Accepted Answer

The inner bark

Answer

The root

Answer

The seeds

Answer

The flower buds

Question 6

Paprika is made from ground dried what?

Accepted Answer

Capsicum peppers (bell and/or chilli)

Answer

Chilli peppers only

Answer

Mixed spices including cumin

Answer

Dried tomatoes

Question 7

What is the 'Scoville Scale' used to measure?

Accepted Answer

The heat (capsaicin content) of chilli peppers

Answer

The fragrance intensity of herbs

Answer

The quality grade of spices

Answer

The age of dried spices

Question 8

What is the 'mother of spices' — the most versatile and widely used spice in cooking worldwide?

Accepted Answer

Black pepper

Answer

Cumin

Answer

Coriander

Answer

Garlic

Question 9

Cardamom is the third most expensive spice after saffron and vanilla. It comes from which region originally?

Accepted Answer

Sri Lanka and India (Kerala/Karnataka)

Answer

Ethiopia

Answer

Guatemala

Answer

Indonesia

Question 10

What is the difference between herbs and spices?

Accepted Answer

Herbs come from the leafy green parts of plants; spices come from other parts (roots, bark, seeds, berries, pods)

Answer

There is no difference

Answer

Herbs are fresh; spices are always dried

Answer

Spices are only from tropical plants; herbs from temperate regions

Question 11

Za'atar is a Middle Eastern spice blend. Its core ingredient is typically which herb?

Accepted Answer

Oregano / wild thyme

Answer

Mint

Answer

Sumac alone

Answer

Sesame seeds

Question 12

Which spice comes from the dried stigmas (not petals) of a specific crocus flower?

Accepted Answer

Saffron

Answer

Lavender

Answer

Safflower

Answer

Rose

Question 13

What is star anise and what does it taste like?

Accepted Answer

The seed of a tree native to China with a strong liquorice / aniseed flavour

Answer

A ground berry with a cinnamon flavour

Answer

A root spice with a mint flavour

Answer

Ground dried orange peel

Question 14

What is 'fresh' versus 'dried' basil — and which is better for most cooked dishes?

Accepted Answer

Fresh basil is bright and aromatic, best added raw or at the end; dried basil holds flavour better in long-cooked dishes

Answer

Fresh is always better in all contexts

Answer

Dried basil has the same flavour as fresh

Answer

Fresh basil should never be cooked

Question 15

What is Szechuan (Sichuan) pepper and what unique sensation does it create?

Accepted Answer

The dried berry of a Chinese prickly ash tree that causes a numbing, tingling sensation on the tongue

Answer

A very hot chilli pepper from China

Answer

A sweet pepper used in stir-fries

Answer

Ground ginger mixed with white pepper

Question 16

Asafoetida (hing) is a spice with an extremely pungent smell used especially in which cuisine?

Accepted Answer

Indian vegetarian cooking

Answer

Mexican

Answer

North African

Answer

Scandinavian

Question 17

Wasabi, served with Japanese sushi, is related to which vegetables?

Accepted Answer

Horseradish and mustard (Brassica family)

Answer

Ginger and turmeric

Answer

Chilli and capsicum

Answer

Radish and daikon only

Question 18

What is the 'Five Spice Powder' used in Chinese cooking?

Accepted Answer

Star anise, cloves, Chinese cinnamon (cassia), Szechuan pepper, fennel seeds

Answer

Ginger, garlic, cumin, coriander, turmeric

Answer

Black pepper, white pepper, green pepper, Szechuan pepper, chilli

Answer

Any five spices chosen by the chef

Question 19

Which herb is most associated with Italian basil pesto?

Accepted Answer

Basil

Answer

Parsley

Answer

Oregano

Answer

Thyme

Question 20

Smoked paprika (pimentón de la Vera) is a PDO product from which country?

Accepted Answer

Spain

Answer

Hungary

Answer

Turkey

Answer

Morocco