A little reason to celebrate
National Herbs and Spices Day
Food ยท June 10
A day for the leaves, seeds, barks and roots that flavor food, from fresh basil on the windowsill to the cinnamon in the back of the cupboard.
National Herbs and Spices Day falls on Thursday, June 10, 2027. That is 226 days away.
Herbs and spices are the parts of plants we use for flavor rather than bulk. Herbs are usually the leaves of a plant, like basil, parsley or thyme. Spices come from the other parts: seeds, bark, roots, berries and buds. Cinnamon is bark, cumin is a seed, and ginger is a root.
The two behave differently in the kitchen. Tender herbs such as cilantro and basil lose their brightness with long cooking, so cooks often add them at the end. Hardier herbs like rosemary and sage can go in early and hold up. Most spices give more flavor when they are warmed, which is why many recipes start by toasting them in a dry pan or blooming them in a little oil.
A spice rack tends to collect things. Ground spices fade over time, losing their scent long before they look any different, and whole spices keep their flavor longer. A quick sniff tells you most of what you need to know. If a jar of paprika smells like dust, it will probably taste like dust too.
Fresh herbs are easy to grow in small spaces. A pot of mint, chives or parsley on a sunny sill will keep producing as long as you keep snipping it, and pinching off the tops helps many herbs grow bushier. Mint is the one to keep in its own pot, since it spreads.
Ways to celebrate
- Open your spice jars and smell each one to find the faded ones.
- Toast whole cumin or coriander seeds before grinding them for dinner.
- Plant a small pot of basil, chives or parsley on a sunny windowsill.
- Cook a familiar dish using one herb or spice you have never tried.
- Finish a meal with a handful of chopped fresh herbs.
Dates
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Wednesday, June 10 |
| 2027 | Thursday, June 10 |
| 2028 | Saturday, June 10 |
| 2029 | Sunday, June 10 |
| 2030 | Monday, June 10 |
Also on June 10
- National Iced Tea Day
- National Egg Roll Day
- National Black Cow Day
- National Frosted Cookie Day
- National Ballpoint Pen Day
Categories: Food days