A spice is a seed, fruit, root, bark, or other plant substance primarily used
for
flavoring, coloring or preserving food. Spices are distinguished from herbs,
which are
the leaves, flowers, or stems from plants used for flavoring or as a garnish.
Sometimes, spices may be ground into a powder for convenience. Many
spices have
antimicrobial properties. This may explain why spices are more commonly
used in
warmer climates, which have more infectious diseases, and why the use of
spices is
prominent in meat, which is particularly susceptible to spoiling.[1] Spices
are
sometimes used in medicine, religious rituals, cosmetics or perfume
production, or as
a vegetable.