3 min read
An assortment of fall spices along with leaves and pumpkins on a gray table top.

As fall approaches, many people start to crave warm, comforting flavors. Fall spices, like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, evoke the season’s coziness and offer a healthy way to enhance meals without extra sugar or sodium. These spices add depth to both sweet and savory dishes, making them perfect for seasonal cooking.

Health Benefits of Fall Spices

Incorporating fall spices into your diet enriches flavor and offers health benefits, such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, all while embracing autumn’s tastes in everyday meals and drinks. Cinnamon, ginger, and cloves are a few of the great alternatives to use when cooking and baking. Using these spices instead of added sugars or sodium enhances flavor without the health risks of excess sugar and salt, making your meals both tasty and beneficial.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is a beloved fall spice that is known for its warm, sweet flavor with a touch of spice. This versatile spice adds a comforting and aromatic element to sweet and savory dishes. Its distinct taste is perfect for enhancing a range of recipes. You can enjoy it in the morning on top of oatmeal and yogurt or sprinkled in your coffee and tea. Let it shine in a classic autumn recipe, such as the Apple Cinnamon Bars recipe from the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) MyPlate website. You can also add it to more savory dishes, such as stews, roasts, and curries. Whatever way you use it, cinnamon can bring a subtle warmth that compliments other ingredients.

Ginger

Ginger is a vibrant fall spice with a peppery, slightly sweet flavor and a distinct kick. It adds a zesty warmth to both sweet and savory dishes, making it perfect for autumn cooking. Start your morning by blending ginger into smoothies or stirring it into oatmeal for a spicy twist. In baking, ginger shines in recipes like gingerbread cookies and spice cakes, adding warmth and aroma. For savory dishes, ginger enhances stir-fries, soups, and curries, bringing a lively kick. Whether in sweet or savory dishes, ginger adds a refreshing, warming depth to your fall recipes.

Nutmeg

Nutmeg is a fragrant fall spice with a sweet, nutty flavor and a hint of warmth. It is a versatile spice, adding rich depth to a wide range of sweet and savory dishes. You can incorporate nutmeg by sprinkling it on seasonal dishes, such as apple or sweet potato casseroles. In baked goods, nutmeg pairs beautifully with pumpkin pie and muffins. It also enhances savory dishes like soups, stews, and roasted vegetables, such as the USDA’s Spicy Baked Squash recipe.

Cloves

Cloves are a bold fall spice with a strong, sweet, and slightly bitter flavor. Add whole cloves to hot cider or coffee for a cozy drink, or use them in baking, such as pumpkin pie or gingerbread. Cloves also enhance roasted meats, stews, and marinades with their rich, aromatic flavor, making them a versatile addition to autumn meals.

Allspice

Allspice offers a rich, complex flavor with hints of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, making it ideal for fall dishes. Add it to baked apples and oats for a warm start to your day, or use it in baking, like in pecan cookies and apple crumbles. In savory dishes, allspice enhances stews, curries, and meat rubs with a full-bodied taste. Allspice adds a distinctive warmth to your fall meals, whether sweet or savory.

Cardamom

Cardamom is an aromatic spice with a sweet, floral flavor and a hint of peppery warmth. Start your day by adding cardamom to chai tea, or use it in baking with muffins, cinnamon rolls, or spiced cakes. For savory dishes, it enhances curries, rice, and stews with its subtle, exotic touch. Whether in sweet treats or hearty meals, cardamom brings a unique flavor to fall cooking.

Summary

As fall approaches, there are several spices that can bring warmth and flavor to your seasonal cooking. These versatile spices enhance both sweet and savory dishes while offering health benefits, such as reducing sugar and sodium intake. From cozy breakfasts to hearty dinners, fall spices provide an easy and flavorful way to embrace the season and elevate your meals. For more great recipes using spices, visit the MyPlate Kitchen website at www.myplate.gov/myplate-kitchen.