Is cinnamon a spice or herb?

Answer 1

Herbs are the leaves of a specific plant, like cilantro, mint or tarragon, where spices refer to refined ingredients, like salt, pepper seeds, cinnamon or chiles. Saffron is the stigma (the fibrous threads in the center) from a saffron crocus blossom. So, it's a spice. Saffron is very difficult to harvest because one flower only produces three stigmas, or threads. Native to southeast Asia it has been, for many decades, the most expensive spice in the world. The flavor is very bitter and can be used to flavor and/or color dishes (it contains crocis, a VERY yellow dye).

Answer 2

spice.

Herb - the leaves of certain plants, used in flavoring

Spice - any part of a plant, other than the leaves, used in flavoring foods

Cinnamon - aromatic bark of cinnamon or cassia tree

Reference - Wayne Gisslen, Professional Cooking, sixth edition, 2007, pp 80, 84.

Answer 3

It is a spice.

Answer 4

Parsley is a herb.

Answer 5

ginger is a herb and also a spice.