You now have all your basic spices safely tucked away in the cupboard. You use them often and are happy with your results. You are ready to go beyond the basics. Try some more diverse and even exotic flavors.

In addition to black pepper you should also have white. Although white pepper does have a slightly milder flavor then black, this is less a flavor issue and more an aesthetic one. Bits of black pepper in a light sauce are not appetizing. My recommendation is Sarawok white pepper.

Beyond Basic Spices

Arrowroot, a thickening agent that does not cloud liquids the way flour does.

Caraway, the seed most commonly associated with rye bread.

Celery Seed, great for soups and stews.

Chervil, used in Europe in much the same way we use parsley. Add at the end of cooking for maximum flavor.

Cloves, used mainly for baking. Also goes well with ham and beef.

Coriander, the seed from the cilantro plant.

Cream of Tartar, used as a stabilizer.

Cumin, the 2nd most popular spice in the world.

Crystallized Ginger, used in baking and Asian cooking

Sesame Seeds, whole, hulled Mexican White seeds are best for toasting and using raw.

Turmeric, provides an intense yellow color, is also known as Indian ginger.

Vanilla Beans, beans from Madagascar are widely considered the best.

Beyond Basic Herbs

Gumbo File, sassafras leaves

Lemon Grass, used widely in China, India and South East Asia

Marjoram, the flavor of this herb is a cross between basil and oregano.

Mint, I am referring to spearmint here, not peppermint which is used for candy making.

Sage, traditional flavor in stuffing and great for pork.

Saffron, the stigma of the fall flowering crocus.

Tarragon, popular in French cookery.

Beyond Basic Blends

Adobo, traditional Mexican spice mix made from garlic, black pepper, oregano, cumin, onion and cayenne pepper.

Celery Salt, a mix of fine salt and ground celery.

Jamaican Jerk, a mix of ginger, sweet chili, garlic, paprika, brown sugar, allspice, thyme, lemon grass, cumin, red pepper and jalapeno.

Tandori, a curry powder made with coriander, paprika, garlic, cumin, ginger, cardamom and saffron.

Please take a moment and support this writer.