Spice & Herb Conversion Calculator
Convert between fresh and dried herbs, ground and whole spices, and find the right substitution ratios when you do not have the exact ingredient a recipe calls for.
Herbs and Spices Conversion Guide
Fresh to Dried Herb Ratios
The standard conversion ratio for most herbs: 1 tablespoon fresh = 1 teaspoon dried (3:1 ratio). This works for: basil, parsley, thyme, oregano, rosemary, tarragon, and dill. The reason: drying removes the water content (herbs are 70-80% water) concentrating the flavour compounds. Some herbs lose volatile aromatics during drying more than others. Bay leaves are an exception — dried bay is actually more pungent than fresh. Frozen fresh herbs retain flavour better than dried for most soft herbs (b
Whole vs Ground Spices
Ground spices: 1 teaspoon ground = approximately 1 teaspoon whole spices before grinding (similar volume but ground packs more flavour per teaspoon as the volatile oils are released). For optimal flavour: toast whole spices briefly in a dry pan before grinding — releases the aromatic oils and dramatically intensifies flavour. Ground spices lose potency faster than whole — ground cumin loses 50% of its flavour compounds within 6 months; cumin seeds stored whole last 2-3 years. The difference betw
Garlic Conversions
1 fresh garlic clove = approximately 0.5 teaspoon minced fresh garlic = 0.25 teaspoon garlic powder = 0.5 teaspoon garlic granules = 1 teaspoon garlic paste. Garlic powder and granules produce a more uniform, less sharp garlic flavour compared to fresh — good for spice rubs and seasoning blends. Fresh garlic in a hot pan initially produces the sharpest, most pungent flavour, which mellows significantly with longer cooking. Roasted garlic (whole bulb, 40 minutes at 180°C) produces a sweet, carame
Chilli Heat Conversions
Chilli heat is measured on the Scoville scale. Approximate equivalences: 1 fresh jalapeño (5,000 SHU) ≈ 1 teaspoon mild chilli powder. 1 fresh serrano ≈ 0.5-1 teaspoon medium chilli powder. 1 fresh bird's eye chilli (100,000 SHU) ≈ 0.25-0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper. However, heat is only one dimension — fresh chillies have fruity, grassy flavours that dried and powdered forms lack. When substituting dried for fresh: add half the chilli quantity first and taste, as heat perception varies with dish
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