Whole herbs and spices

Pure Flavour for Every Kitchen

Whole herbs are a simple way to add natural flavour, aroma and texture to your favourite recipes. Unlike ground herbs, they release their essential oils more gradually, making them an excellent choice for slow-cooked dishes, stocks, stews, marinades and homemade spice blends. They also keep their flavour for longer when stored properly, allowing you to enjoy fresh-tasting herbs whenever you cook.

At Natural Spices, we carefully source high-quality whole herbs that help you create authentic, flavourful meals with ease.

Below, you'll find guidance on when to choose whole herbs or whole spices over ground herbs and spices to achieve the best flavour and texture in your cooking:

• Cinnamon sticks: Using whole cinnamon sticks ensures a slower and more subtle infusion of the sweet, warm flavour of cinnamon. This is especially desirable in dishes that require prolonged heating, such as stews and curries.
• Nutmeg whole: By grating whole nutmegs, you preserve the freshness and aroma of the nutmeg. Grating fresh nutmeg provides a more intense flavour than using ground nutmeg, making it ideal for seasoning mashed potatoes, vegetable dishes, sauces and sweet treats.
• Black pepper: Grinding whole black peppercorns just before use provides a more intense heat and sharper flavour than pre-ground pepper. This helps the pepper retain its freshness and aroma, making it ideal for seasoning meat, fish, vegetables and sauces.
• Marjoram: Using whole sprigs of marjoram in Mediterranean dishes adds a sweet, herbal flavour that is more subtle than ground marjoram. Removing the sprigs ensures that the flavour and aroma are well infused into dishes such as pizzas, pastas, salads and soups.

• Whole lavender: Adding whole lavender flowers to baked goods such as cookies and cakes provides a subtler and more delicate floral flavour than ground lavender. Using whole lavender flowers also adds a decorative element to dishes.
• Cardamom pods: Crushing whole cardamom pods and adding them during cooking ensures a slower and more balanced release of the sweet flavour with a hint of citrus. This is ideal for dishes such as curries, rice dishes and baked goods, where a subtle flavour and aroma are desired.
• Star anise: Adding whole star anise to dishes ensures a gradual release of the liquorice-like flavour and a beautiful aroma. This is especially important when making marinades and infusing flavours in drinks such as mulled wine.
• Thyme: Using whole sprigs of thyme during cooking ensures a slower and even release of the earthy, herbal flavour. This is beneficial for stews, soups, sauces and grilled dishes, where the thyme flavour is subtly integrated into the dish.
• Allspice: Cooking dishes with whole allspice berries ensures a gradual infusion of the complex flavours of clove, nutmeg and cinnamon. This gives stews, marinades and sauces a deeper and richer taste.
• Bay leaf: Cooking dishes with whole bay leaves adds a subtle herbal aroma to soups, stews, sauces and marinades. Removing the leaves before serving prevents them from becoming overpowering and ensures a balanced flavour.

Why choose whole herbs?

Many chefs and home cooks prefer whole herbs because they provide greater control over flavour and presentation. You can crush, chop or infuse them as needed, depending on the recipe.

Benefits of whole herbs include:

• Rich, natural aroma and flavour
• Ideal for soups, stews and slow-cooked recipes
• Longer shelf life than many ground herbs
• Perfect for infusions, marinades and spice blends
• Attractive as a garnish or decorative finishing touch

How to use whole herbs

Whole herbs are incredibly versatile and can be used in a wide range of dishes. Add bay leaves to soups and sauces, infuse rosemary or thyme in roasted vegetables, or use whole oregano and sage in Mediterranean recipes. They also work well in herb-infused oils, vinegars and homemade seasoning mixes.

For the best results, lightly crush woody herbs before cooking to help release their natural oils and fragrance.

Storing whole herbs

To maintain their quality, store whole herbs in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and moisture. Keep containers tightly sealed after opening to preserve their aroma and flavour.

When stored correctly, whole herbs generally retain their freshness longer than ground varieties, making them a practical choice for both home cooks and professional kitchens.

Buy whole herbs online at Natural Spices

Whether you're looking for everyday essentials or speciality ingredients, our collection of whole herbs offers premium quality and authentic flavour for every recipe. Explore the range and discover how easy it is to cook with carefully selected herbs that bring out the best in your ingredients.