SPICE ALMANACA visual guide to flavor
Cuisine

Spices in American cooking

American cooking leans on pungent, smoky, and sweet notes: Cajun seasoning, Onion powder, Crab boil seasoning, Pumpkin spice, Garlic powder, and Vanilla sit at the center, with the wider set on this page rounding out the repertoire. Warm baking spices and barbecue rubs, from pumpkin spice to chili powder.

Common questions

What spices are used in American cooking?
Cajun seasoning, Onion powder, Crab boil seasoning, Pumpkin spice, Garlic powder, and Vanilla.
What flavors define American cooking?
The notes that stand out most are pungent, smoky, and sweet, read from the flavor profiles of the spices listed here.