A
spice is a
seed,
fruit,
root,
bark,
berry,
bud or
vegetable substance primarily used for
flavoring,
coloring or
preserving food. Spices are distinguished from
herbs, which are parts of
leafy green plants used for
flavoring or as a
garnish. Many spices have
antimicrobial properties. This may explain why spices are more commonly used in warmer climates, which have more
infectious disease, and why the use of spices is prominent in meat, which is particularly susceptible to spoiling. A spice may have other uses, including
medicinal,
religious ritual,
cosmetics or
perfume production, or as a vegetable.