Discover a world of flavor with spices that begin with the letter C! From the warm, aromatic notes of cinnamon to the fiery kick of cayenne, these spices add depth and excitement to any dish. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a home cook, exploring spices that start with C can elevate your culinary adventures. Let’s take a flavorful journey through this vibrant category!
1. Cajun Spice/Seasoning
Cajun spice is a blend originating from Louisiana in the United States, known for its bold and spicy flavor. It typically includes paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, onion powder, and herbs, giving a robust taste.
Nutrition for a 20g serving is about 50 calories. It contains antioxidants from paprika and cayenne, and essential oils that add flavor and health benefits.
Use in: Adding flavor to meats, seafood, stews, and rice dishes. Perfect for grilling and seasoning vegetables.
Diet compatibility: Low-calorie, aids digestion, and anti-inflammatory. Pair with lemon or honey for marinades or dressings.
2. Calabrian Chili Peppers
Calabrian chilies come from Calabria in Italy, offering a fiery but fruity flavor with a smoky touch. They are often used fresh, in oil, or crushed.
Calories per 20g are around 15. Rich in antioxidants and capsaicin, which boost metabolism and provide pain relief.
Use in: Spicing up pasta sauces, pizzas, marinades, or added to oils for flavor. Also great in dips and dressings.
Diet compatibility: Low-calorie, metabolism booster, helps with pain relief. Pair with olive oil and garlic.
3. Caraway Seed
Caraway seeds come from Europe and Asia, with a warm, nutty, and slightly peppery flavor. They are common in bread and pickles.
Calories per 20g are approximately 70. Caraway contains antioxidants and essential oils like carvone, promoting digestion and reducing inflammation.
Use in: Baking bread, making stews, pickling, or seasoning cheeses and meats.
Diet compatibility: supports digestion, low-calorie. Pair with dill, garlic, or cabbage dishes for enhanced flavor.
4. Cardamom
Cardamom is a spice from India and Southeast Asia, offering a sweet, spicy, and aromatic flavor. It is used in both sweet and savory dishes.
Calories per 20g are about 60. Rich in antioxidants, eugenol, and other essential oils, it improves digestion and has anti-inflammatory properties.
Use in: Curries, tea, baking, desserts, and rice dishes.
Diet compatibility: Anti-inflammatory, digestive aid. Pair with honey, cinnamon, or ginger for added flavor.
5. Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne pepper originates from Central and South America, known for its fiery heat and pungent flavor. It adds spicy kick to dishes.
Calories per 20g are roughly 60. Capsaicin provides pain relief and boosts metabolism. Contains antioxidants beneficial for health.
Use in: Spicing up soups, sauces, marinades, or in hot teas. Also in chili powder blends.
Diet compatibility: Low-calorie, boosts metabolism, anti-inflammatory. Pair with lemon or honey in teas.
6. Celery Seed
Celery seeds come from dried seeds of the celery plant, with a strong, earthy, and slightly bitter flavor. They are common in pickling and seasoning blends.
Calories per 20g are around 40. Contains antioxidants and compounds like phthalides that support digestion and reduce blood pressure.
Use in: Salad dressings, pickling, soups, and stews.
Diet compatibility: Supports digestion, low-calorie. Pair with lemon or pepper in dishes.
7. Chervil
Chervil is a delicate herb from France with a mild anise flavor. It is often used in salads and French cuisine.
Calories per 20g are about 6. Rich in antioxidants and essential oils that promote digestion and help with inflammation.
Use in: Soups, salads, egg dishes, and French sauces.
Diet compatibility: Low-calorie, good for digestion. Pair with lemon, parsley, or chives.
8. Chicory (Root)
Chicory root is from Europe, known for its slightly bitter flavor used as a coffee substitute or additive. It also contains inulin, a prebiotic fiber.
Calories per 20g are about 10. It is high in antioxidants and beneficial for gut health.
Use in: Coffee blends, teas, roasted as a vegetable, or added to soups.
Diet compatibility: Supports digestive health, low-calorie, prebiotic benefits. Pair with cinnamon or milk substitutes.
9. Chili Pepper / Chile de Árbol / Chiltepin / Chipotle
Chili peppers vary from mild to hot, including varieties like chipotle and chiltepin, originating from the Americas. They add smoky and spicy flavors.
Calories per 20g are about 15. Capsaicin offers pain relief, boosts metabolism, and antioxidants.
Use in: Spicy sauces, marinades, chili powders, and cooking stews or soups.
Diet compatibility: Low-calorie, metabolism booster, anti-inflammatory. Pair with lime, garlic, or tomatoes.
10. Chives
Chives are a mild, onion-flavored herb from Europe and Asia, used fresh or dried. They add a fresh, delicate flavor.
Calories per 20g are approximately 5. Contains antioxidants and sulfur compounds that support immune health and digestion.
Use in: Salads, soups, eggs, and as a garnish.
Diet compatibility: Low-calorie, digestive aid. Pair with lemon, cream, or cheese.
11. Cicely (Sweet Cicely)
Cicely is an aromatic herb from Europe with a sweet, anise-like flavor. Rarely used in modern cooking, it pairs well with fruit desserts.
Calories per 20g are about 4. Rich in antioxidants and essential oils that help digestion.
Use in: Pies, fruit salads, or herbal teas.
Diet compatibility: Very low-calorie, aids digestion. Pair with berries or lemon.
12. Cilantro (Coriander Leaf / Chinese Parsley)
Cilantro leaves come from Asia and Latin America, known for their fresh, citrusy flavor. The seeds (coriander) are different but related.
Calories per 20g are around 8. Rich in antioxidants and essential oils like linalool, supporting digestion and anti-inflammatory effects.
Use in: Salsas, salads, curries, and garnishes.
Diet compatibility: Low-calorie, digestive aid. Pair with lime, garlic, or cumin.
13. Cinnamon (All Varieties)
Cinnamon is a warm spice from Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and other regions, used in sweet and savory dishes. It has a sweet, woody aroma.
Calories per 20g are about 55. Contains cinnamaldehyde and antioxidants that support blood sugar regulation and anti-inflammatory processes.
Use in: Baked goods, teas, curries, and stews.
Diet compatibility: Anti-inflammatory, blood sugar regulation, pairs well with honey, apple, or coconut.
14. Cloves
Cloves are dried flower buds from the Indonesian spice islands, with a warm, spicy aroma. They are used in baking and meats.
Calories per 20g are about 65. Rich in antioxidants, eugenol, and essential oils that support oral health and digestion.
Use in: Baked goods, marinades, spice blends, and teas.
Diet compatibility: Supports digestion, anti-inflammatory, pairs with cinnamon, orange, or vanilla.
15. Coriander Seed/Powder
Coriander seeds come from Asia and the Mediterranean, with a citrusy, nutty flavor. They are used whole or ground.
Calories per 20g are approximately 70. Rich in antioxidants and essential oils that aid digestion and reduce inflammation.
Use in: Curries, soups, spice blends, and pickles.
Diet compatibility: Supports digestion, low-calorie. Pair with cumin or turmeric.
16. Cubeb Pepper
Cubeb pepper is a spice from Indonesia with a peppery and slightly aromatic flavor, similar to black pepper but with a pungent aroma.
Calories per 20g are about 50. Contains antioxidants and essential oils beneficial for digestion.
Use in: Spice blends, sauces, and regional dishes.
Diet compatibility: Supports digestion, low-calorie. Pair with garlic or ginger.
17. Culantro / Long Coriander / Recao
Culantro is a herb from the Caribbean with a strong, cilantro-like flavor. It’s used in Latin American and Caribbean dishes.
Calories per 20g are about 5. Rich in antioxidants and essential oils promoting digestion and immunity.
Use in: Soups, stews, salsas, and marinades.
Diet compatibility: Low-calorie, digestive aid. Pair with lime and garlic.
18. Cumin Seed/Powder
Cumin is a spice from India and the Middle East, with a warm, earthy flavor. It’s used in many spice blends and dishes.
Calories per 20g are about 70. Contains antioxidants and essential oils like cuminaldehyde that support digestion.
Use in: Curries, chili, stews, and baking.
Diet compatibility: Supports digestion, low-calorie. Pair with coriander, turmeric, or chili.
19. Curry Leaf
Curry leaves are aromatic leaves from India, with a nutty, citrus aroma. Not to be confused with curry powder.
Calories per 20g are minimal. Rich in antioxidants that aid digestion and reduce inflammation.
Use in: Indian curries, tadkas, and rice dishes.
Diet compatibility: Supports digestion, low-calorie. Pair with mustard seeds, turmeric, or coconut.
20. Curry Plant
The curry plant (*Helichrysum italicum*) is a Mediterranean herb with a curry-like aroma. It’s mainly used for fragrance, not culinary purposes.
Calories are negligible. Its essential oils may have antimicrobial properties.
Use in: Culinary uses are limited; mostly aromatic applications. Not widely used in everyday cooking.
Diet compatibility: Not typically consumed; mainly for aromatic purposes.
21. California Bay Laurel
California bay laurel is an aromatic leaf from the US West Coast with a flavor similar to bay laurel but more intense.
Calories per 20g are very low. Contains antioxidants and oils that support immune health.
Use in: Soups, stews, and seasoning meats.
Diet compatibility: Low-calorie, supports digestion. Pair with other herbs like thyme and rosemary.
22. Christmas Peppercorn Blend
This is a festive blend of various peppercorns and spices, used to flavor holiday dishes. The blend varies but often includes black, white, green, and pink peppercorns.
Calories are minimal. Contains antioxidants and flavorful oils enhancing dishes.
Use in: Seasoning for roasts, sauces, or stuffing.
Diet compatibility: Low-calorie, flavorful. Pair with herbs like sage or thyme.
Eleena Wills is a passionate health and wellness writer with over 5 years of experience in simplifying complex health topics for everyday readers. She holds a background in health communication and has contributed to multiple reputable wellness platforms. Eleena is committed to sharing science-backed tips on nutrition, mental well-being, fitness, and lifestyle habits that support long-term health. When she’s not writing, she’s experimenting with healthy recipes or practicing yoga.