Lime

Limes are the highly acidic relatives of lemons. Crusaders brought them to southern Europe in the Middle Ages, and in addition to abundant vitamin C, they contain numerous valuable minerals and trace elements.

Mint

First discovered in 1696, and likely the result of a chance cross between Mentha aquatica and Mentha spicata, it is now among the world's most important medicinal plants. Peppermint has a slightly spicy flavor and is popular worldwide for its refreshing aroma and valued constituents. In 2004, it was chosen as Medicinal Plant of the Year.

Cardamom

Cardamom has been one of the most popular spices throughout the Asian and Arab world for thousands of years. Its delicate, spicy-sweet aroma favors cardamom's use in numerous dishes, from spicy curries to spiced Christmas sweets. Thanks to its essential oils and other important nutrients, cardamom is also one of the oldest medicinal plants in the world.

Turmeric

Turmeric is an ancient medicinal plant that flourishes primarily in South Asia and the Mediterranean. It belongs to the Zingiberaceae family and is one of the main ingredients in curry powder. In India, turmeric, similar to ginger and slightly spicy, has been one of the most important spices for over 5,000 years and, thanks to its healing powers, was even considered sacred.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is one of the most expensive spices in the world and was probably used in China as early as 3,000 BC as a spice and medicinal plant. Cinnamon is obtained from the bark of the South Asian cinnamon tree. It has a sweet, aromatic flavor and contains numerous tannins and beneficial essential oils.

Black pepper

Black pepper, also known as the "queen of spices," is currently, along with salt, the most important spice in the world. It originally comes from the Malabar coast of India and has an intensely spicy flavor with varying degrees of heat. Ancient Ayurvedic medicine recommends black pepper not only as a condiment, but also, due to its valuable ingredients, as a medicinal plant.