Apples don’t just have to be something you eat straight out of your hand. By combining them with herbs and spices, you can turn a basic apple into a sophisticated dish.
We’ll show you how. In this post, we’ve gathered a list of spices that go with apples, so you can take your apple-eating experience to a whole new level.
1. Anise
Anise has a candy flavor like licorice. This sweet, candy-like taste is perfect for transforming apples into desserts, such as for a cake.
If you’re interested in trying it out, you can learn more about anise in our guide to what anise tastes like.
2. Caraway
Don’t worry – we’re not going to restrict you to sweet recipes here. Apple can easily be used to make a savory dish with caraway. The bitter notes in the carraway contrast nicely with the apple’s sweetness and tartness.
Did you know that there are different kinds of apples? Check out a few varieties in our post about the sweetest and juiciest apples.
3. Cardamom
If cardamom could be described in one word, it would definitely be “holidays.” It smells sweet – almost minty – but has a bitterness that gives it some depth. Consider pairing it with another sweet spice on this list, like cinnamon, to make an indulgent apple pie.
4. Chinese Five Spice
Chinese five spice is a mixture of spices, so we may be cheating by including it in this guide. It usually includes star anise, cloves, cinnamon, fennel, and Sichuan pepper, giving it a flavor that’s both like licorice and savory at the same time.
Its complexity makes it perfect for taking a basic apple dessert to the next level.
5. Cinnamon
Cinnamon and apples are a timeless pairing that goes together as well as peanut butter and jelly. You can use the powerfully sweet flavor of cinnamon to smooth out the tartness of an apple.
Apple bars, pies, cakes, and pastries all taste wonderful with a hint of cinnamon in them. Another great option is to put a stick of cinnamon in some warm apple cider for a comforting winter beverage.
Read Also: Where to Find Cinnamon Sticks in the Grocery Store
6. Cloves
Clove is a zesty and powerfully flavored spice. Usually, you’ll find it in dessert recipes. Make sure not to use too much, though, because it can be overwhelming.
7. Coriander
Hear us out: coriander is a great partner with apple. It has a citrusy, herbal taste without being floral. Think about it – you’ll sometimes use lemon juice or zest to make an apple pie, and you can use coriander to achieve a similar effect.
Read Also: What Does Ground Coriander Taste Like?
8. Ginger
Sour and sweet or spicy and sweet is a combination as old as time. The spice and sourness of ginger is perfect for rounding out the one-note sweetness of many apple varieties.
9. Lavender
Lavender is more than just a pretty purple flower – it makes an absolutely dreamy spice. It has a heady floral taste with some hints of citrus and mint in it. Just like coriander, you can use it to achieve a green, citrusy bright note with your apple.
10. Mint
Mint’s bright and sweet flavor works naturally with apple. It helps counteract the overly sugary taste some apples might have. We recommend using it in a fruit salad or even jam.
11. Nutmeg
It’s not surprising that nutmeg, with its sweet and slightly bitter flavor, goes with apples. If you’re trying to make a complex apple spice for cake, this is a good choice.
12. Rosemary
The savory taste of rosemary might seem like a weird partner for apples. But apple isn’t a one-hit wonder – it’s simple to make it into a savory dish, like chutney, which is what rosemary works best for.
13. Sage
Sage’s flavor can be described as a little pine-like, but with some zesty citrus hints. Given that apple already goes well with citrus, it makes sense to use sage along with it, too.
14. Vanilla
The deep and soothing sweetness of vanilla is perfect for adding to apple desserts. The next time you make homemade applesauce, think about adding in a bit of vanilla bean. We promise you won’t regret it.
Hey, I’m Joey. I’ve been cooking since I was a little kid and love everything about it. You can find my writing about food, kitchen appliances (such as blenders) and much more. Thanks for stopping by!
