After pepper, coriander is probably the most widely used spice. The seeds have a warm, aromatic flavour but because of the indigestible husk they are usually used in the ground form (see Coriander Ground). Coriander is one of the essential ingredients of Indian cooking. The seeds may be ground using a mortar and pestle or coffee grinder. Try dry frying the seeds before grinding for extra flavour.

The sweet, aromatic flavour of nutmeg has been highly prized since Roman times and together with pepper, ginger and cinnamon was one of the principle commodities of the early spice trade. Nutmeg is widely used in Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and Indian cooking. It is used in baking and to flavour milk based desserts and sauces as well as in savoury dishes. It is usually used finely ground and occasionally in a kibbled form.