Difference between Herbs and Spices

Key Difference: Both herbs and spices come from plant. However, they differ in which part of the plant they are sourced from. Herbs are the green, leafy part of the plant, whereas a spice can come from the root, stem, seed, fruit, flower or bark of the tree or plant.

Everyone who cooks uses herbs and spices. In fact, herbs and spices are such an integral part of cooking that even someone who doesn’t cook has heard of them. Nearly every recipe will call for a herb or spice. However, the two terms are always mentioned together, ‘herbs and spices’, so what is the difference between the two? Are they the same thing, or do they refer to different things?

Both herbs and spices come from plant. However, they differ in which part of the plant they are sourced from. Herbs are the green, leafy part of the plant, whereas a spice can come from the root, stem, seed, fruit, flower or bark of the tree or plant. They also don’t need to belong to different plants; the same plant can be used as a herb and a spice. For example, the cilantro and coriander; cilantro refers to the leaves of the Coriandrum sativum plant, whereas coriander is the seeds of the same plant.

Additional differences between the two include the following: Herbs also tend to be less aromatic than spices, and can be used fresh or dried. They often require less processing as well, especially when compared to a spice. Spices tend to be more aromatic than herbs and commonly used dried, which is why they tend to require more processing. This is also one of the reasons why spices tend to last much longer than herbs, especially fresh herbs. Spices can be stored for much longer durations as they can keep their flavor and potency much longer. Whole spices can be stored for the longest, as grinding the spices tend to expose it to too much oxygen. Ground spices and dried herbs last about the same, whereas fresh herbs can be stored for the least duration, often only for a few days. 

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