8 Wonderful, Exotic Spices You've Probably Never Heard Of

Unless you went to culinary school. Then you've probably heard of them.

1. Ceylon Cinnamon

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Ceylon cinnamon ( left) comes from an evergreen tree native to Sri Lanka and is "true" cinnamon. What we normally use in the USA and Canada is a completely separate spice called cassia, or Chinese, cinnamon (right). Ceylon cinnamon is highly prized for its light, flaky texture, sweet flavor, and delicate aroma.

2. Annatto Seed

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This unique spice comes from the achiote tree, which grows in subtropical regions such as South America, originating in Brazil. It has a fragrance similar to paprika and is used as a potent food coloring and dye for the body paints of indigenous tribes.

3. Charnushka

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Charnushka, also known as black caraway, is commonly found garnishing the tops of Jewish rye breads in New York City, as well as in Eastern European and Indian cuisines. Its smoky flavor makes it a great addition to savory pastries and sauces.

4. Fenugreek

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Fenugreek is a staple ingredient in curries and chutneys and is often used in Middle Eastern cooking. It is a hard seed with a pungent, strong fragrance reminiscent of maple sugar.

5. Star Anise

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Star anise is added to many South Asian dishes, as well as chai teas. The delicate "petals" of this licorice-smelling spice break easily, and manufacturers hand-select the buds to ensure they, and their aesthetic value, remain whole.

6. Fennel Pollen

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This spice, made from the pollen of massive amounts of fennel flowers, is typically found in North American and Italian dishes. The sheer number of flowers needed to produce a small amount of pollen makes this spice nearly as costly as saffron.

7. Tahitian Vanilla Beans

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Tahitian vanilla is produced in comparably smaller amounts than its Madagascan cousin, making it, on average, between $5 and $10 per bean. It has a much more delicate, floral flavor that idealizes it for baking.

8. Grains of Paradise

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These little seeds are very peppery and thus often used as a substitute. The story behind this one is interesting; in the Dark Ages, which were heavily dominated by religious fervor, spice traders came up with a way to increase the price of their goods by saying that these seeds grew in Eden and could only be collected as they traveled out of the garden via sacred rivers.

Now you know. :-)