SPICE ALMANACA visual guide to flavor
Pairing

Spices for fish

The spices, herbs, and blends that earn a place with fish, drawn from each entry's pairing notes.

No. 89Spice

Ajwain

Sharp, thyme-like, pungent, bitter

pungent·herbal·bitter
No. 34Spice

Anise

Sweet, strong licorice, warm

sweet
No. 60Spice

Annatto

Earthy, peppery, mild, mainly color

earthy
No. 25Herb

Basil

Sweet, peppery, clove and anise

herbal·sweet
No. 83Blend

Cajun seasoning

Savory, peppery, smoky, warm heat

warm·pungent·smoky
No. 62Herb

Chervil

Delicate, sweet, faintly anise, fresh

herbal·sweet
No. 93Herb

Chives

Mild, fresh, oniony, grassy

herbal
No. 28Herb

Cilantro

Bright, citrusy, pungent, fresh

herbal·citrusy
No. 2Spice

Coriander seed

Citrusy, floral, warm, lightly sweet

citrusy·floral·warm
No. 43Herb

Curry leaf

Nutty, citrusy, savory, faintly bitter

citrusy·herbal
No. 35Herb

Dill

Fresh, grassy, citrusy, faintly anise

herbal·citrusy
No. 81Spice

Dried lime

Sour, fermented, musty, intensely citrus

citrusy·bitter
No. 80Herb

Epazote

Pungent, savory, resinous, petrol-herbal

pungent·herbal
No. 18Spice

Fennel seed

Sweet, warm, gentle licorice

sweet·herbal
No. 85Blend

Furikake

Savory, nutty, briny, umami

nutty·earthy
No. 40Spice

Galangal

Sharp, piney, citrusy, peppery

pungent·citrusy
No. 20Spice

Ginger

Pungent, warm, bright, citrusy

pungent·warm·citrusy
No. 72Spice

Green peppercorn

Fresh, bright, mild, herbaceous pepper

pungent·herbal
No. 91Spice

Horseradish

Sharp, hot, nasal, pungent

pungent
No. 66Blend

Jerk seasoning

Warm, fiery, herbal, allspice-forward

warm·pungent·herbal
No. 41Herb

Lemongrass

Bright, lemony, floral, grassy

citrusy·floral
No. 42Herb

Makrut lime leaf

Intense, floral, citrus-peel aroma

citrusy·floral
No. 32Spice

Mustard seed

Pungent, sharp, nose-clearing heat

pungent
No. 70Blend

Panch phoron

Earthy, nutty, pungent, anise-edged

earthy·pungent·nutty
No. 27Herb

Parsley

Fresh, grassy, clean, lightly peppery

herbal
No. 73Spice

Pink peppercorn

Sweet, fruity, mild, faintly peppery

sweet·floral·pungent
No. 30Spice

Saffron

Floral, honeyed, earthy, faintly bitter

floral·earthy
No. 8Spice

Sumac

Tart, lemony, fruity, deep red

citrusy·bitter
No. 88Spice

Tamarind

Sour, fruity, date-like, tangy

citrusy·sweet
No. 96Blend

Tandoori masala

Warm, earthy, tangy, deep red

warm·earthy
No. 37Herb

Tarragon

Sweet, anise, grassy, delicate

herbal·sweet
No. 92Spice

Wasabi

Sharp, nasal, fresh, fleeting heat

pungent
No. 45Spice

White pepper

Earthy, sharp, fermented, less aromatic

pungent