Spices play a vital role in many cuisines around the world, and Romanian cuisine is no exception. If you plan to cook Romanian food, you should definitely stock up on spices—favorites like lovage and paprika are absolute must-haves.
Romanian Cooking Made Easy
Anyone who has spent a holiday in Romania or is generally interested in Romanian cuisine will have noticed the diversity of its dishes. This is no surprise, as Romania is geographically very diverse, which is reflected in its culinary traditions. In Transylvania, pancakes, goulash, and stuffed peppers are popular, while on the Black Sea coast, fish dishes are frequently served. Furthermore, one must also consider the influences from neighboring countries like Hungary and Bulgaria, which have shaped Romanian cuisine over the centuries.
The Most Popular Spices in Romanian Cuisine
Exotic spices are rarely used in Romanian cuisine. Instead, people use what grows locally and what their ancestors have used. Among the most popular spices are:
- Lovage
- Caraway
- Bay leaves
- Parsley
- Dill
- Garlic
- Paprika
Count Dracula and Garlic
The legendary Carpathian Mountains are considered the gateway to mythical Transylvania, that region "beyond the forests" where the most fearsome of all vampires is said to have roamed. Here, in the heart of Romania, everything revolves around Count Dracula, who actually existed. However, his name was Vlad Tepes—and he detested garlic. Today, the legend of the Count persists—and garlic is also an important ingredient in Romanian cuisine.
In which Romanian dishes are spices used?
Probably the most famous Romanian dish is mamaliga. This specialty is a cornmeal porridge, similar to Italian polenta. Once cooked, mamaliga sets. It is then cut into pieces with a red thread, garnished with feta cheese, and seasoned with paprika.
Sarmale are cabbage rolls made from pickled white cabbage leaves filled with minced meat and rice. They are seasoned with dill, pepper, paprika, and bay leaves. Those who enjoy soup will appreciate Ciorba de perisoare, a sour vegetable soup typically seasoned with lovage and pepper.
What spices does Lautarul offer?
We offer a wide selection of spices and spice blends for preparing Romanian specialties. You can order spice blends for dishes like mititei (beef sausage), sarmale (sausages), or bean stew—so you don't have to buy the spices individually. Our hot paprika powder is very popular and makes every dish an irresistible highlight. Soups and stews play an important role in Romanian cuisine. Feel free to experiment with different spice blends to season your dishes.
In our online shop you will also find spice blends for mulled wine. This delicious, warming drink is an integral part of the Advent season and can also be prepared at home. Typical ingredients include spices such as cloves, cinnamon, star anise, cardamom, and the dried peels of oranges and lemons.
