A spice rack is a stable feature of every kitchen, yes, even if you never cook. Face it, it looks good and makes you look like you’re cooking.

Spice racks are sold in department stores, specialty stores, kitchen accessory stores, and online. Keep in mind that these items also make a good housewarming gift or any occasion gift for a person who likes to cook.

Spice racks come in several different sizes and styles: wood, metal, plastic, and acrylic. They also come in countertop style, wall mounted style, and drawer style.

So the next question is after buying a spice rack, what spices should be put in it? Some spice racks can be purchased with spices included in pretty containers (again in wood, metal, plastic, or acrylic). Some spice makers continue to have the type of spice preprinted on top of each of the individual containers.

Spices are defined as dried seeds, roots, barks, fruits, leaves, or vegetables that are used in small amounts to add flavor or color to your food. You will generally find the following spices in a spice rack, especially if you buy a spice rack that already contains spices: rosemary, dill seeds, basil, bay leaves, cardamom, caraway, marjoram, paprika, parsley, thyme, mustard powder, and tarragon. Refills for these spices can be found in supermarkets, gourmet stores, health and organic food stores, and online.

o Rosemary: used to flavor roasted poultry, fish, meat, and vegetables.

o Dill seed: used in spreads, salads, vegetables, stews, soups, and pickles.

o Basil: used to flavor fillings, soups, stews, sauces, poultry, fish and meat.

o Bay leaves: they are used in many dishes around the world, particularly in soups, sauces and stews or seasonings of fish, meat or poultry.

o Cardamom – used mainly in dishes from the Near and Far East.

o Caraway: it is used mainly in dishes from Germany, Austria, Eastern Europe and Scandinavia.

o Paprika – used mainly with Hungarian dishes, used in the rest of the world as a garnish.

o Parsley: used to flavor soups, sauces, stews, rice, vegetables and fish.

o Thyme: used to flavor beef, lamb, veal, fish, poultry, fillings, vegetables, and stews.

o Mustard powder: used to flavor developed eggs, beets, barbecue sauces, baked beans, and many meat dishes.

o Tarragon: used to flavor salads, tartar sauces and beef.

There are advantages and disadvantages to buying a spice rack that already contains spices. The advantage of buying one with spices included is that you won’t need to buy them individually, which would be an added expense, and take the time to fill each container individually. On the other hand, if you buy the shelf without the spices included and the containers don’t have the spice names pre-printed, you can fill the spice containers yourself with the spices you use most often.

The benefits of having a spice rack in your kitchen, assuming you cook, are definitely the organization and convenience of having all your spices in one place, and a space saver in a kitchen that can get cluttered too easily. Just a tip on the location of your spice rack, don’t place it too close to the stove because the heat from the stove can be detrimental to the potency of the spices.