Coriander has a distinct, sweet aromatic flavour and a fine spicy scent prominent in its dried seeds. Coriander is a traditionally common ingredient in diverse Asian and Middle Eastern dishes, but has now made its way to be used both dried and fresh, in most cuisines.
Coriander can be used whole or crushed in a mortar, and mixed with other spices like cumin, cinnamon, pepper and fresh herbs.
Caraway has been a staple spice in the European kitchen for several thousands of years, and with the new Nordic cuisine movement, this bittersweet spice has its renaissance. The closed-umbrella shaped, nutty seeds can be found growing wild in Denmark and are now immensely popular in bread, cheese, meat and vegetable dishes.
While black pepper is called the spice king, cardamom takes the title of the spice queen, partly because of the importance it has held in the spice trade, but also because it is the second most expensive spice in weight after saffron. Cardamom is expensive because it grows in remote places.