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Quiz about Spice up Your Life
Quiz about Spice up Your Life

Take this Spice up Your Life Quiz! Easy Trivia | Food & Drink


Herbs and spices can make the difference between a ho-hum meal and a really tasty one. See how many of them you can identify.

A multiple-choice quiz by nmerr. Estimated time: 3 mins.
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Author
nmerr
Time
3 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
341,971
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Easy
Avg Score
8 / 10
Plays
1083
Awards
Top 35% Quiz
Last 3 plays: buncha1956 (8/10), catnlib (6/10), Guest 197 (9/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. Belonging to the same botanical family as parsley, this spice is known for its peppery flavor. The seeds are commonly used in cuisines of the Middle East, North Africa, and India and Pakistan. Name this popular spice. Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. Also known as man root, this herb's two varieties are native to North America and Asia. Although it produces bright red flowers, it's the root that is valued most. Commonly used in tea, its restorative powers have long been known all over the world. By what name is man root commonly known? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. If you've ever eaten Italian food, you're likely to be familiar with this pungent herb. Originally from the Mediterranean, it belongs to the same family as marjoram. What is this herb that tastes so good on pizza? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. Native to Siberia, this herb is essential in French cooking. It has a delicate, anise-like flavor and it is an essential ingredient in Béarnaise sauce. What is the name of this herb? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. This herb is in the same family as parsley and is sometimes referred to as French parsley. Native to Eastern Europe and West Asia, it has long been a symbol of spring and often used to flavor Easter meals. Name this herb. Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. Picked by hand from the stigma of the purple crocus, this spice is highly prized and highly expensive. Grown in India, Iran, Spain, and Mexico and used throughout Europe and the Middle East, what is the name of this spice? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. It is both an herb and a spice and is a member of the bean family. The seeds must be ground to bring out the flavor that's a blend of maple and curry. With an odd-sounding name, can you identify it? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. Its name comes from the Latin word clavus, which means nail. It's actually a flower bud, picked when bright red, then dried. What is this spice called? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. Having a slight licorice flavor, this herb was well known to Roman soldiers who used it to flavor hardtack, a hard bread similar to Italian biscotti, which they carried with them as they traveled. What is it called? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. This last herb is actually from the same botanical family as mint. It's native to India and spread to Asia and Egypt as early as 2000 B.C.E. It tastes great on Italian food. By what name is this herb known? Hint



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Most Recent Scores
Mar 08 2024 : buncha1956: 8/10
Feb 28 2024 : catnlib: 6/10
Jan 31 2024 : Guest 197: 9/10

Score Distribution

quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Belonging to the same botanical family as parsley, this spice is known for its peppery flavor. The seeds are commonly used in cuisines of the Middle East, North Africa, and India and Pakistan. Name this popular spice.

Answer: Cumin

Dating back to Biblical times, the ancient Romans and Greeks frequently used cumin to season their food. The plant, which grows up to 1.6 feet tall, produces white or pink flowers. In the Middle Ages it was thought that cumin promoted fidelity and for this reason was carried during wedding ceremonies.
2. Also known as man root, this herb's two varieties are native to North America and Asia. Although it produces bright red flowers, it's the root that is valued most. Commonly used in tea, its restorative powers have long been known all over the world. By what name is man root commonly known?

Answer: Ginseng

Native American tribes used wild ginseng to promote female fertility and cure respiratory ailments. Ancient Chinese used it to to increase blood supply and improve circulation. Nowadays ginseng is used to flavor soups, gum, candy, toothpaste, cigarettes, and an American favorite, 7-Up.
3. If you've ever eaten Italian food, you're likely to be familiar with this pungent herb. Originally from the Mediterranean, it belongs to the same family as marjoram. What is this herb that tastes so good on pizza?

Answer: Oregano

For centuries, oregano was used as an antidote for hemlock. Nowadays it can be enjoyed fresh or dried. Mexican oregano is different from the Mediterranean variety in that it comes from the verbena family and has a citrus flavor.
4. Native to Siberia, this herb is essential in French cooking. It has a delicate, anise-like flavor and it is an essential ingredient in Béarnaise sauce. What is the name of this herb?

Answer: Tarragon

Tarragon can be identified by its smooth, narrow, and pointed leaves that looks like grass growing up a thin stem. As an herb, tarragon brings a fragrant aroma when added to green salads. It even blends well with egg dishes, particularly omelets. Since this herb diffuses quickly through dishes, it should be used sparingly.
5. This herb is in the same family as parsley and is sometimes referred to as French parsley. Native to Eastern Europe and West Asia, it has long been a symbol of spring and often used to flavor Easter meals. Name this herb.

Answer: Chervil

Chervil tastes best when fresh. It is not a good idea to dry it since its loses most of its flavor in the process. Chervil is used frequently in French cuisine. Its leaves are fine and its flowers are white. Chervil complements a lot of foods such as poultry, soups, eggs and cheese.
6. Picked by hand from the stigma of the purple crocus, this spice is highly prized and highly expensive. Grown in India, Iran, Spain, and Mexico and used throughout Europe and the Middle East, what is the name of this spice?

Answer: Saffron

It takes approximately 75,000 stigmata to make one pound of saffron. No wonder it costs so much. When buying saffron, look for a vibrant red color. The older it gets, the more brown it looks. A little saffron goes a long way, so use it sparingly.
7. It is both an herb and a spice and is a member of the bean family. The seeds must be ground to bring out the flavor that's a blend of maple and curry. With an odd-sounding name, can you identify it?

Answer: Fenugreek

As a spice, fenugreek can be eaten as a vegetable or mixed in bean dishes and stew. As an herb, it has medicinal properties used to treat allergies and asthma and has been known to increase breast milk production.
8. Its name comes from the Latin word clavus, which means nail. It's actually a flower bud, picked when bright red, then dried. What is this spice called?

Answer: Clove

Clove has many uses but it's primarily used in curries, pickles, and sausages. It's an important ingredient of Béchamel sauce which, when combined with onion and bay, produces quite a flavorful taste. Clove can be found in gum, incense, and, if you're feeling creative, used to make pomander balls.
9. Having a slight licorice flavor, this herb was well known to Roman soldiers who used it to flavor hardtack, a hard bread similar to Italian biscotti, which they carried with them as they traveled. What is it called?

Answer: Anise

Even though it tastes similar to licorice and fennel, anise is sweeter and more delicate than either one. It's used in liqueurs such as Sambuca and Greek Ouzo, but it also flavors candies and chocolates. It is frequently used in India as a digestive aid.

The seeds of anise are used like fennel to soothe the stomach and tongue after a really spicy meal. It also freshens breath, a good idea if you've just eaten a very spicy meal.
10. This last herb is actually from the same botanical family as mint. It's native to India and spread to Asia and Egypt as early as 2000 B.C.E. It tastes great on Italian food. By what name is this herb known?

Answer: Basil

Early Christians believed that basil grew at the sight of the Crucifixion. This is the reason why the Greek Orthodox Church uses it on their altar and in the Holy Water. Basil leaves are strong and oily when fresh, minty when dried. Not only is basil used to flavor Mediterranean dishes, it is an important ingredient in Thai and Vietnamese foods.
Source: Author nmerr

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor WesleyCrusher before going online.
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