Tarragon screams chicken salad to me and that is summer to a tee! (My mom is obsessed with tarragon chicken salad sandwiches on bakery croissants and she's not wrong )
I had to look it up and, wow, that sounds fantastic! I've already added the grocery items to my shopping list so I can make it next week. Perfect timing because I have some cucumbers just about ready in my garden.
Thanks for the suggestion! Do you have a favorite specific recipe or method or ingredient you suggest?
I'm linking a few recipes I used, but after the first time of each, I haven't really followed a recipe and use my own recipe.
https://www.everydayhealthyrecipes.com/polish-cucumber-salad-mizeria
https://weekendatthecottage.com/cucumber-salad/?epik=dj0yJnU9ejB4Z3VRMW1VTm1BZE0wRW1MLU9CbElBQjMxQ0NuQTgmcD0wJm49QUZxYUYxNmVIR1pNeEtKYXUwQ1Z6QSZ0PUFBQUFBR1psakdF
My version is slightly different, and I don't measure because I make it to taste, but I'm giving approximate measurements. If you don't like lemon, then this one isn't for you. I use 2-3 cucumbers, 8oz sour cream, app 3 tbsp dill, app 1 tbsp chives, app 1/2 tbsp minced onion, juice of 1 lemon and a little zest, and salt and pepper to taste. I've used salted and unsalted cucumbers, I usually don't salt them because I don't care if it gets a little soupy. With the amount of lemon I use, it makes it a little soupier anyway.
I hope you like it!
My two childhood foods are sliced cucumber and sour cream/creme fraiche salad, but I did not see yet a classical food from my country Latvia - boiled potatoes, garnished with dill afterwards (as a side to anything meaty).
Oh, and if I fry up dumplings in a pan with butter (eastern Europe style ones, not Asian), then I also add dill in the end. Or on a sandwich with tomatoes - dill and onion 🤤
Funny how most people in this post don't know the difference between herbs and spices.
But there are summer spices: sumac blends, pepperberry, saltbush, wattleseed, lemon myrtle, fennel ....
I've had this thought a lot, like "Strange that people call nutmeg, cloves, allspice, cinnamon, etc. ' Warming Spices', I can't for the life of me think about 'Cooling Spices'." And this is it. Warming spices, cooling herbs (and zest).
Coriander seed is Cilantro seed. That's a spice. So spice and spice leaves? 😆
Many countries make no distinction between the leaves and seeds, calling both Coriander.
EDIT: for the pedantic. Of course you say coriander or coriander seed. It's the same as Celery or Celery seed.
What I mean is that many do not use entirely different words for plant and seed.
Oo I can see that. I love lemon in all forms. Not really a common product to buy here in the Netherlands. Did buy some once, so but within a week it was completely stuck together, so didn’t use it much unfortunately.
okay i just tried tajin on radishes the other day (shout out to my latino friend for the reccy) and it has changed my life! planning to put tajin on everything!!!
My favorite cookie is a cardamom shortbread sold as “nan khatie” at the Indian grocery. Now I add cardamom to the cinnamon in desserts that call for it.
I make an amazing strawberry basil salad with balsamic vinaigrette, arugula, and avocado. Add in any type of protein like grilled chicken or salmon. So delicious and summery
Mint, parsely, dill, basil. Pretty much all the leafy fresh herbs except sage. Also not really an herb or spice but lemon is definitely a flavor I associate with summer dishes.
Lemon and green onions. Cherry tomatoes. Basil. Pineapple sage. Honey, when used sparingly. Floral and fruity additions like mandarin, lavender, dandelions, strawberry.
Fresh summer basil, preferably from your garden, has amazing fragrance & is especially good with fresh sweet corn, tomatoes, in a BLT or on salads.
Fresh mint is great in iced tea or on fruit salads. Lemon verbena, lemon balm& pineapple sage are wonderful in tea or salads.
Please respond to this comment if you want me to edit the list! Else it will be buried in the comments.
The consensus seems to be: Warming spices, cooling herbs. Made an overview of what was often mentioned!
However, there were some spices mentioned that give that summer vibe.
**Spices**
Spices (mentioned often): sumac, coriander seed, cardamom, saffron
Spices (mentioned less): Mustard, Paprika, Cumin, anise, white pepper, pink peppercorn, fennel seeds
Spices I hadn’t heard of: Pepperberry, saltbush, wattleseed, lemon myrtle,
Spice blends from the American continent: Tajin, Old bay, Lemon pepper, BBQ spices
Other spice blends: Berbere, Za’atar
**Herbs**
Herbs (mentioned often): Dill, Cilantro, Basil, Mint, Lemon Balm, Parsley, Taragon, Lavender, Lemon verbena, Thai
basil
Herbs (mentioned less): Marjoram, oregano
Herbs that people describe as both summer as fall: rosemary, sage, thyme
Herbs I hadn’t heard of: Pineapple sage
**Other fresh flavors**
Citrus (zest): Lemon, lime, orange, mandarin
Green onions, chives
Chilis
Asian “herbs”: Kaffir lime leave, lemon grass
Ginger (fresh), Tumeric (fresh)
**Honorable mentions**
Not herbs/spices, but found them interesting to include
• Raw red onion
• Feta
• Dandelion
• Sundried tomatoes
• Smoke flavor
• Coconut
• Strawberry
• Honey
• Poppy seeds
• Pomegranate
• Chimichurri
**Things unknown to me**
But that did sound interesting. Not sure where to add in above:
• Celery seed, All spice, Summer savory, Chaat masala, Black salt, Hickory, celeriac leaves, Chervil, Savory, Lovage
I think Summer is more defined by herbs and citrus flavours; dill, chervil, lemon, mint, etc.
If I had to pick a spice for Summer it'd be something subtler, like saffron or sumac
Basil, as in freshly picked tomatoes from the farmstand or if you're really lucky, your garden, mozzarella, fresh basil & balsamic vinegar
Mint
Cilantro (if you like it)
Dill
Adobe type spices, BBQ type spices, southwest type spices (cumin, lemon pepper, chilis, etc)
Take those same spices, add allspice, lime, cayenne, and cilantro and you're in Jerk Chicken territory - a definite summer vibe.
It's all in your perspective.
I'm Indian so spices are perpetual for me 💀💀 I do find it really interesting how different spices are associated with different times of the year in different cultures. Cinnamon/cloves/nutmeg are used all year round in both savory and sweet dishes in Indian cuisine so they've never had that association for me. But living in the US, they've definitely picked up an association with fall lol. I guess for summer spices I'd say chaat masala or black salt because they're used in Indian street foods that I eat when I visit in the summer.
Sumac. Sumac and parsley on onions, as a topping for sandwiches (fried fish, chicken or cold cuts), or as onion salad with a few more ingredients - perfect light summer meals.
There's good ways to use some of those winter spices in summer, too! Grilled peaches, for example, would pair well with some cinnamon and maybe honey or a scoop of ice cream (or both, I'm not limiting anyone here). I eat fruit slices with honey and cinnamon sometimes (pineapple is great that way, too).
I know fresh is king here, but I use a lot of dried chives in my cooking year round. They're a good green to add to several different dishes (kind of onion-ish or akin to green onions, I think).
Ok this is 100% not what you asked but I'm gonna say it anyway- feta. I don't know why but feta always makes me feel like warm sunny days, even in a quiche!
Mint!!! I wind up cooking a ton of middle eastern and Mediterranean food in the summer, I love fresh mint with fruit, drinks, meat, in sauces- it's so versatile.
Lemon, lime, seasoning salt(Lawry's only!), the spices I put in my special meat rub(varies, depending on the meat and my mood and the music I'm playing while I cook. Example: Cajun music=cajun seasoning.)
I love to BBQ with spices like cumin, chili, black pepper, and coriander (seeds) in combination with their non-spice partners like garlic, onion, lemon, lime, dried oregano, cilantro (leaves), mint, parsley, etc.
Green cardamom number one for me (summer, winter, period. One of my favorite spices of all time)--it reads to me as a cooling versus warming effect flavor-wise, coriander seeds, sumac, celery seed, fennel for summer-y spices.
Herbs - basil, dill, cilantro, parsley. Preferably fresh. Also it’s not a spice, but balsamic vinegar is a lovely flavor on summer dishes like salads and even on fresh fruit!
Turmeric, Fennel and Cardamom can actually help lower body temperature in summer. So a Cardamom and vanilla homemade ice cream usually features as dessert in my bbqs a few times over summer.
Not spices, but the herbs Mint and Basil scream summer to me and my rosemary bush is usually at its best in summer. I love throwing sprigs onto the bbq while cooking, the scent is amazing.
What really brings summer for me is lemon though. Marinated chicken and pork in tonnes of lemon and garlic. Roast chicken stuffed with lemons, Greek roast potatoes, Lemon sorbet, lemon and buttermilk ice cream, lemon meringue. Can't get enough!
Cilantro. But if we’re talking strictly spices and not herbs, I’m not sure either. Maybe Old Bay or a BBQ seasoning… like stuff I would use on the grill
I have an outdoor herb garden, with most being perennials. There are some heartier ones that remain harvestable even during cold months (rosemary, thyme, sage, oregano), but early spring brings my chives, the start to lovage, and mint. By late spring I have some parsley, with the curly sometimes wintering over, but usually I need to plant new flat leaf. Basil is an annual. I put that in when days are warmer with zero threat of night frosts.
Summer herbs, to me, are the basil, lovage, and the matured parsley, mint, and the others I mention usually have so much I need to work hard to use what I should. Chives are dying back, but still harvestable. This year, I have 10 lavender plants, more for ornamental, but will use a little for culinary. They are almost blooming. I love dill and cilantro/koriandr, but never have luck growing them, so buy. Plus, Hubby dislikes cilantro. My whole summer equals homemade iced tea with lots of mint. I make summer soups and salads with loads of herbs. Towards the early autumn, I freeze lovage to make winter soups with it.
Right now, there are various berries and fruit with different ones in the summer. Vanilla, almond extract, and liquors complement them.
Dill says summer to me for some reason.
This and all the others that grow like weeds! (Dill, mint, basil, thyme, and cilantro before it bolts where I live !)
Add Tarragon
Tarragon screams chicken salad to me and that is summer to a tee! (My mom is obsessed with tarragon chicken salad sandwiches on bakery croissants and she's not wrong )
Yes! It reminds me of an old Betty Crocker recipe my mom would make during summer months! It was a creamy cucumber salad w dill.
100%. Lemon, dill, and basil (not necessarily together) are the flavors of summer to me.
Yesss I forgot about dill. I usually pair it with fish. What are your favorite dishes to use it in?
Potato salad or egg salad!
For me, dill is all about the tzatziki and Mediterranean dishes!
If you like tzatziki try mizeria. Polish cucumber salad. It's one of my go to summer foods
I had to look it up and, wow, that sounds fantastic! I've already added the grocery items to my shopping list so I can make it next week. Perfect timing because I have some cucumbers just about ready in my garden. Thanks for the suggestion! Do you have a favorite specific recipe or method or ingredient you suggest?
I'm linking a few recipes I used, but after the first time of each, I haven't really followed a recipe and use my own recipe. https://www.everydayhealthyrecipes.com/polish-cucumber-salad-mizeria https://weekendatthecottage.com/cucumber-salad/?epik=dj0yJnU9ejB4Z3VRMW1VTm1BZE0wRW1MLU9CbElBQjMxQ0NuQTgmcD0wJm49QUZxYUYxNmVIR1pNeEtKYXUwQ1Z6QSZ0PUFBQUFBR1psakdF My version is slightly different, and I don't measure because I make it to taste, but I'm giving approximate measurements. If you don't like lemon, then this one isn't for you. I use 2-3 cucumbers, 8oz sour cream, app 3 tbsp dill, app 1 tbsp chives, app 1/2 tbsp minced onion, juice of 1 lemon and a little zest, and salt and pepper to taste. I've used salted and unsalted cucumbers, I usually don't salt them because I don't care if it gets a little soupy. With the amount of lemon I use, it makes it a little soupier anyway. I hope you like it!
Fresh, chopped dill is delicious in a garden salad.
People don’t do this enough
With beets in beet soup or beet salad, or in eggs with goat cheese
My two childhood foods are sliced cucumber and sour cream/creme fraiche salad, but I did not see yet a classical food from my country Latvia - boiled potatoes, garnished with dill afterwards (as a side to anything meaty). Oh, and if I fry up dumplings in a pan with butter (eastern Europe style ones, not Asian), then I also add dill in the end. Or on a sandwich with tomatoes - dill and onion 🤤
Dill is a major component in the flavor of ranch dressing.
Not a summery dish but a dill garlic salmon baked in cream is my go to.
Homemade pickles! A few sprigs of fresh dill tucked into the jar just adds freshness 😁
On a turkey and Havarti cheese sandwich.
Dill with butter and boiled new potatoes is so good. Paired with a nice pan fried salmon, and some greens, is a nice, lighter summer meal.
Cucumber dishes.
Mizeria - Polish cucumber salad. Takes minutes to make and it's a delicious snack
White beans and tomato stew with carrots and loads of dill. There’s no such thing as too much dill.
One of My favorites is Green Salat with Dill Dressing, fresh Dill and grilled rib eye Steak
I love dill and spicy mustard in a grilled cheese. Mmmmm.
Herbs are summer. Spices are winter. (For me, anyway)
Tell that to all of south asia
There is no winter in South Asia
There is the hot season, the wet season, and the hot and wet season
And south-east Asia, the Middle East and Africa.
We don't have seasons, yet we too release seasonal stuff
Funny how most people in this post don't know the difference between herbs and spices. But there are summer spices: sumac blends, pepperberry, saltbush, wattleseed, lemon myrtle, fennel ....
Tops right here!
I've had this thought a lot, like "Strange that people call nutmeg, cloves, allspice, cinnamon, etc. ' Warming Spices', I can't for the life of me think about 'Cooling Spices'." And this is it. Warming spices, cooling herbs (and zest).
For summer I love lemon and cilantro I know they aren't actually spices
Sumac and lemon balm for me
Sumac is good stuff.
Coriander seed is Cilantro seed. That's a spice. So spice and spice leaves? 😆 Many countries make no distinction between the leaves and seeds, calling both Coriander. EDIT: for the pedantic. Of course you say coriander or coriander seed. It's the same as Celery or Celery seed. What I mean is that many do not use entirely different words for plant and seed.
Big lemon fan. Cilantro I like as well but my SO has the soap gene 🥲
Does anywhere near you carry culantro?
Sumac is a nice bright summery spice. Berbere gives me summer vibes too!
Sumac is awesome. I started using it in Cole slaw. Makes it slightly orangish in color but flavor is sublime.
That's such a good idea! I'll give that a try too! :)
Lemon pepper. Feels like grilling! Any kind of rub for meat…
Oo I can see that. I love lemon in all forms. Not really a common product to buy here in the Netherlands. Did buy some once, so but within a week it was completely stuck together, so didn’t use it much unfortunately.
Sumac is a bit lemony as well!
Sumac was my first thought.
Tajin, a combo of chili, lime, and salt! Maybe cuz I associate it with summer fruits and veggies so much.
Yes! Tajin and lime on watermelon and jicama is peak summer.
okay i just tried tajin on radishes the other day (shout out to my latino friend for the reccy) and it has changed my life! planning to put tajin on everything!!!
Old bay, Cajun seasoning, lemon, and paprika on my crabs that I eat outside all summer.
Paprika is a good one for summer!
Za’atar
How could I forget za'atar. Love it and use it in a lot of summer dishes or as a dip with olive oil and bread. So good.
I’d add coriander seed. Lemony characteristics and can be used in everything
A pinch of ground coriander and a bit of Mexican saffron is my add-on for hummus 😋🖖
My favorite cookie is a cardamom shortbread sold as “nan khatie” at the Indian grocery. Now I add cardamom to the cinnamon in desserts that call for it.
If you havent already you should try Swedish cardamom buns. Kind of like cinnamon buns but with cardamom
These are life!
Basil and dill
Yes! And cilantro
I love fresh strawberries with Basil. Really bring out the fresh summer flavor.
I make an amazing strawberry basil salad with balsamic vinaigrette, arugula, and avocado. Add in any type of protein like grilled chicken or salmon. So delicious and summery
I got a strawberry basil custard tart recipe from PBS that absolutely slaps.
Celery seed for me too, makes me think of delicious virgin ceasers in the summertime
Chili, lime, garlic. But those are also year-round for me too.
I go herb heavy in summer and spice heavy in winter. Dry mustard is a big spice for me in warm weather, though.
Mint and lime. Did someone say mojito?
Allspice is my most used spice in summer. I use it for jerk and escovitch sauce, mainly with grilled meats, fish and veg.
Sumac
Mint, parsely, dill, basil. Pretty much all the leafy fresh herbs except sage. Also not really an herb or spice but lemon is definitely a flavor I associate with summer dishes.
Why not sage? I don't know, I just associate it with fall dishes more than summer.
Lemon rosemary paprika
Paprika! Deviled Eggs, Elote . .
Most BBQ rubs.
Lemon and green onions. Cherry tomatoes. Basil. Pineapple sage. Honey, when used sparingly. Floral and fruity additions like mandarin, lavender, dandelions, strawberry.
Fresh tender annuals like basil, dill, tarragon, and cilantro. I grow herbs and I use a lot of these in the summer.
Ginger, cardamum, mint
Tarragon
Lavender, mint, basil, citrus zest, and sundried tomato.
Fresh summer basil, preferably from your garden, has amazing fragrance & is especially good with fresh sweet corn, tomatoes, in a BLT or on salads. Fresh mint is great in iced tea or on fruit salads. Lemon verbena, lemon balm& pineapple sage are wonderful in tea or salads.
Please respond to this comment if you want me to edit the list! Else it will be buried in the comments. The consensus seems to be: Warming spices, cooling herbs. Made an overview of what was often mentioned! However, there were some spices mentioned that give that summer vibe. **Spices** Spices (mentioned often): sumac, coriander seed, cardamom, saffron Spices (mentioned less): Mustard, Paprika, Cumin, anise, white pepper, pink peppercorn, fennel seeds Spices I hadn’t heard of: Pepperberry, saltbush, wattleseed, lemon myrtle, Spice blends from the American continent: Tajin, Old bay, Lemon pepper, BBQ spices Other spice blends: Berbere, Za’atar **Herbs** Herbs (mentioned often): Dill, Cilantro, Basil, Mint, Lemon Balm, Parsley, Taragon, Lavender, Lemon verbena, Thai basil Herbs (mentioned less): Marjoram, oregano Herbs that people describe as both summer as fall: rosemary, sage, thyme Herbs I hadn’t heard of: Pineapple sage **Other fresh flavors** Citrus (zest): Lemon, lime, orange, mandarin Green onions, chives Chilis Asian “herbs”: Kaffir lime leave, lemon grass Ginger (fresh), Tumeric (fresh) **Honorable mentions** Not herbs/spices, but found them interesting to include • Raw red onion • Feta • Dandelion • Sundried tomatoes • Smoke flavor • Coconut • Strawberry • Honey • Poppy seeds • Pomegranate • Chimichurri **Things unknown to me** But that did sound interesting. Not sure where to add in above: • Celery seed, All spice, Summer savory, Chaat masala, Black salt, Hickory, celeriac leaves, Chervil, Savory, Lovage
In my house Summer is juniper berry central lol
I think Summer is more defined by herbs and citrus flavours; dill, chervil, lemon, mint, etc. If I had to pick a spice for Summer it'd be something subtler, like saffron or sumac
Basil, as in freshly picked tomatoes from the farmstand or if you're really lucky, your garden, mozzarella, fresh basil & balsamic vinegar Mint Cilantro (if you like it) Dill Adobe type spices, BBQ type spices, southwest type spices (cumin, lemon pepper, chilis, etc)
Summer equals cumin, chili, mint and basil. The spices I’d put on or with grilled meat.
Dill, mint, tarragon, basil
Take those same spices, add allspice, lime, cayenne, and cilantro and you're in Jerk Chicken territory - a definite summer vibe. It's all in your perspective.
I'm Indian so spices are perpetual for me 💀💀 I do find it really interesting how different spices are associated with different times of the year in different cultures. Cinnamon/cloves/nutmeg are used all year round in both savory and sweet dishes in Indian cuisine so they've never had that association for me. But living in the US, they've definitely picked up an association with fall lol. I guess for summer spices I'd say chaat masala or black salt because they're used in Indian street foods that I eat when I visit in the summer.
Basil. It goes well with tomatoes and they both grow in the summer.
Sumac. Sumac and parsley on onions, as a topping for sandwiches (fried fish, chicken or cold cuts), or as onion salad with a few more ingredients - perfect light summer meals.
Not a spice, but coconut Just made some raspberry and coconut cupcakes
My summer spices are herbs! Mint, parsley, basil, dill
Thyme, rosemary, basil
the same spices apply in the summer tbh, at least in indian food
lemon, mint. Not really a spice but smoke flavor.
Not spices, but herbs. Basil, tarragon, cilantro, mint!
Paprika on any protein really
Tarragon. It sucks when dried so it's a thing that I only get in the summer.
Summer Savory. With green beans.
thyme, rosemary, basil, marjoram
Fresh herbs but especially mint in all my drinks! Even water.
Dill, cumin, sumac,basil, mint and hickory
Sun-dried tomato even though it's not necessarily A spice. And dill. Mint.
Lavender, I love taking with lavender and make this delicious lemon lavender, blueberry muffins. They are amazing.
Summer is more for herbs: basil, oregano, rosemary, etc…
Cilantro, jalapeno, and lime!
There's good ways to use some of those winter spices in summer, too! Grilled peaches, for example, would pair well with some cinnamon and maybe honey or a scoop of ice cream (or both, I'm not limiting anyone here). I eat fruit slices with honey and cinnamon sometimes (pineapple is great that way, too). I know fresh is king here, but I use a lot of dried chives in my cooking year round. They're a good green to add to several different dishes (kind of onion-ish or akin to green onions, I think).
I like to grind up fennel seed and dried lavender with rock salt to make flavoursome salts for summer.
Mother Nature knows best. Think seasonally… basil, mint, dill, chives, lemongrass!
Spices are for winter, herbs are for summer -- my take.
Basil, mint, parsley.
Lemon zest
Spices derived from chillis like paprika, cayenne etc. all feel summery to me. Sumac gives a lemony brightness which is very summery.
OP thanks SO much for compiling all the top answers! This is so freaking useful, I'm excited to cook today!
Most definitely the almighty basil
Lemons, limes, lavender, stuff that’s brightly flavored
Dill mint parsley
Dill for spring, basil for summer
lime and cilantro
Lemon
Dill , basil and parsley
Tarragon, anise + lemon
Ok this is 100% not what you asked but I'm gonna say it anyway- feta. I don't know why but feta always makes me feel like warm sunny days, even in a quiche!
Fresh herbs more than dried spices.
Mint, basil, rosemary, dill
Cilantro, basil, mint and dill.
Lemon, lime zest and dill.
Dill Basil Sumac
Paprika, ginger, garlic salt, black pepper. BBQ spices
I know this is cheating but herbs de Provence is my favourite summer blend.
I use spices and herbs all year long, and never thought of anything being for a specific season.
Mint
White pepper
mint, chili peppers, basil, citrus
I'm arabic and it's funny they don't feel that way to me.
Sumac!
Basil. Mustard. Ginger. Lemon. Cardamom. Celery seed. Mint. Rosemary.
Lemongrass cilantro
I add basil or cilantro to everything!
Idk but I'm making a cardamom pear cake tomorrow.
Mint!!! I wind up cooking a ton of middle eastern and Mediterranean food in the summer, I love fresh mint with fruit, drinks, meat, in sauces- it's so versatile.
Lemon, mint, dill feel summery to me.
Lemon, lime, seasoning salt(Lawry's only!), the spices I put in my special meat rub(varies, depending on the meat and my mood and the music I'm playing while I cook. Example: Cajun music=cajun seasoning.)
Again, not a spice, but basil and summer are a match made in heaven. I eat tomatoes and basil by the pound once June hits.
Basil, cilantro, dill
Yuzu
Citrus, black pepper, dill, mint, red pepper, basil. pickled items too eta: vinegar
Mint, Tarragon, Paprika
Mint! Epitome of freshness.
Lemon and chives seem to be what I reach for in the summer.
Basil for sure!
lemon? basil? dill? great question. I'll be obsessing over it all week.
Dill is a summer vibe, cilantro can be too but it’s so good it’s an every season item.
Mint for sure.
Cumin. If I'm eating cumin I'm eating tacos. Carne asada and shrimp tacos for the win.
Dill, lemongrass, garam masala, saffron
coriander seed feels so summery to me i’ll add it to like anything with lemon in it
Old bay, white pepper, cumin, fennel. Especially when paired with citrus
Pepper flakes/paprika and saffron are the most summery spices imo
I love to BBQ with spices like cumin, chili, black pepper, and coriander (seeds) in combination with their non-spice partners like garlic, onion, lemon, lime, dried oregano, cilantro (leaves), mint, parsley, etc.
Herbs! Dill, thyme, basil
cumin, and all the ground chilis. Cayenne, chipotle
Basil, cilantro, and dill.
Dill, lemon, lime, and cilantro
Dill, cilantro, and citrus (not a spice I suppose but still applies)
Pepper, both black and white. Herbs. Citrus zest. Bell peppers and spicier peppers.
Green cardamom number one for me (summer, winter, period. One of my favorite spices of all time)--it reads to me as a cooling versus warming effect flavor-wise, coriander seeds, sumac, celery seed, fennel for summer-y spices.
Basil, mint, lemon
Basill, lemon thyme, lavendar
Mint and cucumber.
Coriander seed, fennel seed, mustard seed, sumac
Dill w/lemon, Cilantro w/lime
Anything herby, bright or floral like dill, lemongrass, ginger, coriander and cardamom.
Chimichurri, lemon, poppy seeds, any fresh herbs, raw onions, raw garlic, green onions, greek seasoning
Cardamom (green); Savory, Tarragon, parsley
Dill, Italian parsley, mint, and cilantro for sure and I go for citrus vinaigrettes and marinades this time of year.
Pink peppercorns
Fresh basil & rosemary.
Zaatar. Cumin too. Anything that you can put on BBQ
Poppyseed. Pairs will with lemony flavors.
basil, dill, lemon
Cumin! Lemon pepper! Coriander seeds! Other than that, mostly summer means fresh leafy herbs for me, but I’m sure there are more I’m not thinking of…
Saffron
Sumac, unroasted coriander seeds, fennel, fresh bay leaves!
Ginger, galangal, lemongrass, fresh chilis, lime leaves, Sichuan peppercorns
Basil, thyme, rosemary, mint
Sumac
What about spring?? And fall?
Herbs - basil, dill, cilantro, parsley. Preferably fresh. Also it’s not a spice, but balsamic vinegar is a lovely flavor on summer dishes like salads and even on fresh fruit!
Cilantro all the way Whoops not a spice but I also can’t think of “summer” spices
Turmeric, Fennel and Cardamom can actually help lower body temperature in summer. So a Cardamom and vanilla homemade ice cream usually features as dessert in my bbqs a few times over summer. Not spices, but the herbs Mint and Basil scream summer to me and my rosemary bush is usually at its best in summer. I love throwing sprigs onto the bbq while cooking, the scent is amazing. What really brings summer for me is lemon though. Marinated chicken and pork in tonnes of lemon and garlic. Roast chicken stuffed with lemons, Greek roast potatoes, Lemon sorbet, lemon and buttermilk ice cream, lemon meringue. Can't get enough!
Basil. I make basil everything, but I really love a good basil white vinegar.
Fresh herbs. Basil, thyme, rosemary. Parsley. Anything green.
Cilantro. But if we’re talking strictly spices and not herbs, I’m not sure either. Maybe Old Bay or a BBQ seasoning… like stuff I would use on the grill
I have an outdoor herb garden, with most being perennials. There are some heartier ones that remain harvestable even during cold months (rosemary, thyme, sage, oregano), but early spring brings my chives, the start to lovage, and mint. By late spring I have some parsley, with the curly sometimes wintering over, but usually I need to plant new flat leaf. Basil is an annual. I put that in when days are warmer with zero threat of night frosts. Summer herbs, to me, are the basil, lovage, and the matured parsley, mint, and the others I mention usually have so much I need to work hard to use what I should. Chives are dying back, but still harvestable. This year, I have 10 lavender plants, more for ornamental, but will use a little for culinary. They are almost blooming. I love dill and cilantro/koriandr, but never have luck growing them, so buy. Plus, Hubby dislikes cilantro. My whole summer equals homemade iced tea with lots of mint. I make summer soups and salads with loads of herbs. Towards the early autumn, I freeze lovage to make winter soups with it. Right now, there are various berries and fruit with different ones in the summer. Vanilla, almond extract, and liquors complement them.
Unless you eat curry all year round. Definitely more fresh herbs in dishes in summer, though.
Basil with tomatoes and mozzarella <3