Warm
The clearest warm spices and herbs are Smoked paprika, Allspice, Baharat, Cassia, Clove, and Coriander seed, most of them carrying smoky and sweet notes alongside. Sweet-spicy heat that reads as cozy, not hot: cinnamon, clove, allspice.
Advieh
Warm, floral, sweet, fragrant
Allspice
Warm, like clove and cinnamon
Baharat
Warm, peppery, sweet, aromatic
Berbere
Hot, smoky, warm, deeply spiced
Black cardamom
Smoky, resinous, camphor, savory
Black pepper
Pungent, sharp, woody, warmly biting
Cajun seasoning
Savory, peppery, smoky, warm heat
Cassia
Warm, hot, sweet, boldly spicy
Chili powder
Earthy, warm, mildly smoky, savory
Chinese five spice
Warm, sweet, faintly licorice
Cinnamon
Warm, sweet, delicate, gently woody
Clove
Warm, sweet, pungent, almost numbing
Coriander seed
Citrusy, floral, warm, lightly sweet
Cumin
Earthy, warm, nutty, faintly bitter
Curry powder
Earthy, warm, golden, mildly spiced
Garam masala
Warm, sweet, aromatic, deeply layered
Ginger
Pungent, warm, bright, citrusy
Grains of paradise
Peppery, warm, citrusy, faintly floral
Harissa
Hot, smoky, garlicky, aromatic
Jerk seasoning
Warm, fiery, herbal, allspice-forward
Khmeli suneli
Herbal, warm, savory, blue-fenugreek
Long pepper
Hot, sweet, warm, complex pepper
Mace
Warm, sweet, delicate, faintly floral
Mitmita
Fiery, warm, citrusy, intense
Nutmeg
Warm, sweet, nutty, woody
Paprika
Sweet, mild, fruity, gently warm
Pumpkin spice
Warm, sweet, cozy, baking-spiced
Quatre epices
Peppery, warm, sweet, aromatic
Ras el hanout
Warm, floral, complex, deeply layered
Shawarma spice
Warm, earthy, savory, gently spiced
Smoked paprika
Smoky, sweet, deep, gently warm
Star anise
Sweet, warm, strong licorice
Tandoori masala
Warm, earthy, tangy, deep red
Common questions
- What are warm spices?
- Smoked paprika, Allspice, Baharat, Cassia, Clove, and Coriander seed, among others.
- What other flavors do warm spices carry?
- The notes that stand out most are smoky and sweet, read from the flavor profiles of the spices listed here.
- What is the strongest warm spice?
- Berbere is one of the strongest here: hot, smoky, warm, deeply spiced. Add it early and taste as you go.
- What is the mildest warm spice?
- Paprika sits at the gentle end: sweet, mild, fruity, gently warm. It seasons without taking over.