The allspice is a myrtle tree most commonly found in Jamaica.

It gets its name from the unique combination of aromas in its fruit, a blending of the tastes of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg with just a little peppery heat.

Fresh basil leaves have a unique aroma not even approximated by any other herb, making them an essential ingredient in cuisines of countries all over the world.

It is a very important herb in ayurvedic medicine, and has only recently been discovered and revered by western medicine.

Bay laurels do not withstand heavy frost but require hot, dry summers for production of concentrated essential oils.

Black, white, and green peppercorns all come form the same plant, but they are harvested at different times and handled in different ways.

Nowadays black pepper is common around world and used in the cuisine of almost every nation.

Black cumin is an annual herbaceous plant with fine foliage and delicate pale bluish purple or white flowers.

The tasty hot peppers have long been used in many of the world's cuisines, but their greatest use in health comes from, surprisingly, conventional medicine.

History The Capsicum family includes bell peppers, red peppers, paprika, and pimento, but the most famous medicinal members of the family are cayenne and chile.