Table 1 Description of spices observed: name, country of origin, use in traditional Italian cuisine, beneficial properties, and picture^a

Acai berry

South American rainforest

Berries are used for the preparation of smoothies, fruit salads, to enrich yogurt

antioxidant and energizing properties

Anis

Far East

used to prepare liqueurs and digestives with an aromatic scent such as Anisetta and Sambuca which are used to flavor various desserts, including the famous biscuits known as anicetti (typical of Marche Region cuisine)

used to flavor bread and cakes

used to flavor cheeses and vegetables.

digestive and stimulating properties

excellent cough remedy

excellent aphrodisiac properties

Black garlic

Korea

used cooked in the spaghetti pasta of the typical Italian cuisine with oil and chili or in soups

considered a superfood

useful for reducing cholesterol

antioxidant and diuretic properties

helps prevent cardiovascular disease

used for the treatment of psoriasis

Cardamon

India and Malaysia

used to prepare meat main courses (e.g. roasts) and goes perfectly with citrus fruits and chocolate in desserts.

useful for helping digestion and the intestine

aphrodisiac properties

Chia

Central American countries

main use in the preparation of sweets

considered a superfood

anti-colitis, anti-cholesterol and slimming properties

preventive action against diabetes and osteoporosis

anti-inflammatory action

rebalancing of hormones for the pre-menopausal woman

Chili pepper

American continent

used to flavor dishes giving spiciness and color

in Mediterranean cuisine, it is used to flavor sauces and condiments for first courses but also meats and cheeses

natural remedy to stimulate blood circulation

balancer of level of cholesterol in the blood and helps to activate the metabolism

Cinnamon

Sri Lanka

very particular flavor, it is spicy and sweet at the same time

mainly used for making desserts: cakes, biscuits, fruit, candies and creams

it can give a particular flavor to ice cream, fruit salad and ricotta

excellent natural remedy for colds

relaxes the nervous system

Cloves

Asia

used for flavoring meats and to prepare broths with a strong flavor

excellent with vegetables

widely used for the preparation of desserts, especially based on apples

facilitate digestion

possess anti-inflammatory properties

help reduce gastric acidity

help keep sugar and cholesterol levels low

help relieve toothache

natural anti-aging

Coriander

Mediterranean countries

used to flavor soups, meat and fish and cured meats

also used for the preparation of biscuits or the typical Sienese cake Panpepato

therapeutic properties

antibacterial

anti-fermentation action in the intestine

able to chelate heavy metals in the body

Cumin

Asia minor and Syria

multiple uses in the kitchen, thanks to their intense and slightly spicy flavor

widely used in Indian cuisine

little use in the Italian cuisine

mainly used to flavor bread and cheeses

with several healing properties

excellent defenses for the immune system and anemia digestive and purifying properties

great for reducing stress

powerful anti-inflammatory spice

Curry

India

spicy flavor blend used in addition to various types of food to enhance taste

it can be used for both savory and sweet recipes

anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antibacterial properties

helps to maintain good functions of the digestive system

useful in the treatment of joint diseases and muscular problems

Ginger

Far East

it can be used grated, on first courses or to prepare salads, but it can be used to prepare drinks and infusions

digestive and stimulating properties

excellent anti-inflammatory

Goji berry

Asian highlands of Tibet, China, and Mongolia

used mixed with other fruits, in yoghurt, fruit salads, and for the preparation of smoothies.

also can be used to prepare slimming herbal teas

considered as a super food

good antioxidant properties

help immune defence

revitalizing effect

useful for low content calories diets

Mustard

Mediterranean basin area (Southern Europe and Northern Africa)

used to make mustard to enhance the taste of meat or fish main courses or to enrich salads

help stimulate blood and lymphatic circulation; they help fight joint and muscle pains

Nutmeg

Indonesia

used as an ingredient for the preparation of sweets; it is also often added to fillings for ravioli, tortellini, and lasagne

therapeutic, antiseptic, stimulating and aphrodisiac properties

if it is ingested in massive quantities it can cause hallucinations

Pepper

India

broths, salami and sausages are enriched with whole seeds while the ground seeds are used for

flavor meat and fish

used for the preparation of the traditional Roman pasta “spaghetti with cheese and pepper” also used to season soups and risottos

excellent for giving more flavor to cheeses and vegetables such as fennel, carrots and peas

helps to promote digestion and stimulates metabolism

excellent natural antidepressant

Poppy seed

Mediterranean basin area

mainly used to give flavor to baked goods such as bread, breadsticks and some typical traditional products

also used as a dressing for salads, soups or they can be eaten with yogurt or in milk for breakfast

help keep cholesterol under danger level

indicated for bone health

promote metabolism

excellent antioxidant properties

help against anxiety and stress

Saffron

Asia minor and Greece

used in the preparation of main courses

particularly used to flavor first courses (it is used in the Risotto alla Milanese)

another use is in the recipe of Sicilian Arancine

excellent antioxidant, anti-stress, digestive and energizing

also used to control body weight

Sesame

Tropical countries

excellent for flavoring bread, pasta and risotto

used for preparing breading for chicken, meat or vegetables

used to flavor pasta rice, and main courses of meat and fish

high content of omega 3 valuable properties for the prevention of heart disease, osteoporosis

calming and refreshing action

Turmeric

India

used to flavor vegetables, to flavor tofu or in the preparation of crackers and breadsticks

excellent antioxidant

healing properties

digestive and anticancer properties

Vanilla

Mexico

excellent for making cakes or biscuits; it can be added to smoothies, cold beer, cocktails and hot chocolate

aphrodisiac, antidepressant, anticancer, antioxidant properties

Wasabi

Japan

it was introduced in the Italian cuisine in recent years

used in the form of sauce or accompany sushi and sashimi

anticancer action

used to improve diuresis and counteracts water retention

excellent antioxidant