Christmas Herbs and Spices for the Holiday Season
Christmas is almost synonymous with baking, so ‘Christmas spices’ brings to mind all the spices you love to bake with, like cinnamon and ginger. That is why it can mean different spices to different people, based on what they associate with the season.
Most of the spices typically used in the kitchen during winter make it to the list of Christmas spices, as this is the season’s biggest holiday. But, they are not limited to baking spices. Here are the names of the typical Christmas spices with an idea about what to do with them.
Herbs and Spices Associated With Christmas
| Name | Flavor Profile | Used in | Christmas Recipes to Try |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cinnamon | Warm, sweet, and spicy | Baked items, desserts, and drinks | Cinnamon Rolls |
| Nutmeg | Warm, slightly sweet, and nutty | Baked items (cookies, pies), desserts, and drinks | Eggnog |
| Cloves | Warm, sweet, and slightly bitter | Baked dishes, stews, and drinks | Glazed Ham |
| Ginger | Warm, zesty, and slightly sweet | Baked confectionaries (cookies, gingerbread) | Gingerbread Cookies |
| Allspice | Warm, sweet, and peppery | Baked items, desserts, and mulled drinks | Jamaican Jerk Chicken |
| Cardamom | Warm, citrusy, and slightly floral | Baked confectionaries and desserts | Cardamom Cookies |
| Star Anise | Licorice-like and slightly sweet | Baked confectionaries, stews, and mulled drinks | Star Anise Cookies |
| Vanilla | Sweet, creamy, and slightly floral | Baked desserts, and flavored beverages | Vanilla Custard |
| Anise Seed | Sweet, licorice-like, and slightly spicy | Baked savory dishes, and drinks | Anise Biscotti |
| Orange Zest | Bright, citrusy, and slightly sweet | Baked desserts, and savory dishes | Orange Cranberry Sauce |
| Parsley | Fresh and slightly peppery | Seasoning, salads, soups, and sauces | Herb-roasted Turkey |
| Sage | Earthy, savory | Stuffings, sausages, and poultry | Sage and Onion Stuffing |
| Rosemary | Pine-like, woody | Roasts, stews, potatoes, and bread | Rosemary Roast Lamb |
| Thyme | Earthy, lemony | Roasts, stews, soups, and stuffing | Thyme-roasted Chicken |
| Bay Leaves | Herbal, slightly floral | Soups, stews, sauces, and braises | Bay Leaf and Hibiscus Christmas Cordial |
| Mint | Fresh, cool | Desserts, beverages, and lamb dishes | Mint Chocolate Bark |
| Lavender | Floral, sweet | Baked items, desserts, and beverages | Lavender Shortbread Cookies |
All the above spices are great on their own. Still, if you need more than that, you can combine them together based on your preferences to prepare a unique Christmas spice blend to welcome the winter and festive season. Traditional mulling spice blends with cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, and cloves are also a Christmastime favorite.
A few others, like cayenne pepper and turmeric, are also counted among winter spices, but they are not included in the above table as they are not traditionally associated with Christmas. Cooking is not all you can do with these spices. A stovetop potpourri is one of the best ways to make your home smell like the holidays and welcome your dinner guests without spending a lot of time thinking and planning. You can also put your favorite spices in a jar for easy DIY hostess gifts.