Offering alphabetical listings of over 400 different herbs, spices and flavorings found throughout the world, this reference is based on the extensive notes Tom Stobart made on his travels in 70 countries. Each entry carries detailed descriptions of the origin, history, magical, medicinal, scientific and culinary uses, together with a thorough assessment of tastes and effects of cooking, freezing and pickling. the author assigns the scientific, botanical, native and popular names for given plants and ingredients making exact identification easy and clearing up any confusions which may exist on differing countries' names and usages.