Meet the Spice World’s Most Ridiculous Names (and Their Real Origins)

Not all spices are serious business. Some come with names so odd, you’d swear they were invented by pranksters.

From “Devil’s Dung” to “Love-in-a-Mist,” these seasonings prove that flavor isn’t the only thing that makes the spice world unforgettable.

Here are 12 of the funniest, strangest, and most charming spice names and how they got them.

1. Devil’s Dung (Asafoetida)

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Pungent, powerful, and unforgettable, this Indian spice got its nickname from its strong sulfuric smell. Cook it briefly, and it transforms into pure umami magic.

2. Grains of Paradise

This exotic peppery spice from West Africa got its heavenly name from medieval traders, that thought its flavor was divine enough to come from Eden.

3. Allspice

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No, it’s not a blend. It’s a single berry that tastes like cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg combined. Early European traders thought nature had done the mixing for them.

4. Dragon’s Blood Resin

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Used in ancient rituals and as a pigment, this fiery red resin from the dragon tree has a name straight out of a fantasy novel. It’s used today in incense and herbal medicine.

5. Monkey Pepper

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Found in Africa, these small, wild peppercorns earned their name because monkeys are said to love eating them straight off the vine. Nature’s little chili lovers.

6. Poor Man’s Saffron (Annatto)

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With its bright orange hue, annatto seeds were used to mimic expensive saffron in colonial times – hence the cheeky nickname.

7. Love-in-a-Mist (Nigella)

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This delicate blue flower hides tiny black seeds bursting with nutty flavor. Its poetic name matches its dreamy appearance in the garden.

8. Cat’s Tongue Pepper

A small, sharp chili that curls like a cat’s tongue and burns about as much as one would expect. Common in Latin American salsas.

9. Grains of Selim

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These smoky, aromatic seeds from Africa are also called “Kani Pepper” or “Ethiopian Pepper.” Traders once believed they had magical properties against bad luck.