The Obscure Spices Quiz
1 of 11
Filé powder is a spice used in some types of gumbo. It is made from the dried and ground leaves of what tree?
Red oak
Sassafras
2 of 11
Charnushka, the dried seed of the Nigella sativa flower, goes by quite a few names. Which of these is a common synonym for this staple of everything from rye bread to Lebanese cuisine?
Black Cumin
Black Mustard
Black Sage
ANSWER: It also goes by the name black sesame, onion seed, black caraway, and Roman coriander. It also goes by the name black sesame, onion seed, black caraway, and Roman coriander.
3 of 11
The Mexican spice blend recado rojo, or achiote paste, takes its red color from what ingredient?
Cayenne Pepper
Annatto Seed
4 of 11
Zedoary root first came to the West during the sixth century, but today its use has all but disappeared. What other spice replaced it?
Ginger
Turmeric
ANSWER: Zedoary root is said to taste like ginger, but its aftertaste is much more bitter. The ground root is still used in certain Indonesian curry dishes. Zedoary root is said to taste like ginger, but its aftertaste is much more bitter. The ground root is still used in certain Indonesian curry dishes.
5 of 11
Orris root, a component of some gins and many perfumes, comes from what type of plant?
Juniper
Iris
ANSWER: The fragrant root actually smells like violets and was sometimes used by old-time saloonkeepers to make raspberry syrups. The fragrant root actually smells like violets and was sometimes used by old-time saloonkeepers to make raspberry syrups.
6 of 11
Ajwain seeds (also known as “ajowan”) are used in Indian cuisine. What other herb do these seeds smell and taste like?
Cilantro
Thyme
ANSWER: The seeds contain thymol, the essential oil that’s found in thyme, is also present in ajwain seeds. Dry roasted ajwain seeds are also said to have a flavor reminiscent of caraway. The seeds contain thymol, the essential oil that’s found in thyme, is also present in ajwain seeds. Dry roasted ajwain seeds are also said to have a flavor reminiscent of caraway.
7 of 11
Grains of Selim are used as a substitute for what other spice?
Pepper
Cardamom
ANSWER: The African seedpods are also known as Moor pepper and Senegal pepper. The African seedpods are also known as Moor pepper and Senegal pepper.
8 of 11
The North African spice alligator pepper is closely related to what more familiar spice?
Cayenne pepper
Grains of paradise
ANSWER: In the West African Yoruba culture, newborn babies are customarily given a small taste of alligator pepper. In the West African Yoruba culture, newborn babies are customarily given a small taste of alligator pepper.
9 of 11
Which of these peppercorns is not actually a true pepper of the Piper genus?
Cubeb
Pink peppercorn
Green peppercorn
ANSWER: The spice that gets sold as pink peppercorns are actually the dried drupes of the Schinus terebinthifolius plant, a member of the cashew family. The spice that gets sold as pink peppercorns are actually the dried drupes of the Schinus terebinthifolius plant, a member of the cashew family.
10 of 11
Powdered golpar seed is a common ingredient in what type of cooking?
Persian
Jamaican
ANSWER: The seeds are also used medicinally to relieve flatulence. The seeds are also used medicinally to relieve flatulence.
11 of 11
Amchoor powder is a common Indian and Middle Eastern ingredient. It is made by sun-drying and powdering what fruit?
Coconut
Mango