Spice Library

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Spice Library
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From seeds to spices, the Livingston Library has everything you need to elevate your culinary creations.

Through Spice It Up!, we offer more than just ingredients, we provide a journey. Every spice has a history, every seed a legacy. Understanding their origins, the cultures that cultivated them, and the traditions they represent adds depth to your cooking. It transforms every meal into an experience, connecting you to the rich tapestry of flavors and stories from around the world.

What is Spice It Up?

Located near the NEW cookbooks.

Each kit will contain a sample packet of that month’s spice and a QR code leading to the history behind it as well as recipe recommendations. Kits are sponsored by the Friends of the Library and are available while supplies last.

Interested in exploring other ways to use these spices? Visit the library’s Seed Library where you can borrow and donate seeds for growing flowers, herbs and vegetables. Explore Library Chef, an online platform that offers live virtual cooking demonstrations. Consider joining our Cookbook Club, which meets bi-monthly and shares recipes from a selected cookbook.

black pepper
Sep. 2026
Black Pepper
Pepper has been the world’s most popular and most frequently traded spice for thousands of years. Pepper can be classed as one of the few spices that is not only an embellishment for the cook but also a tool in the hands of the diner.
Recipes and more
tumeric
Aug. 2026
Turmeric
Once you get over the notion that turmeric is used mainly to color food, it is remarkable how versatile it seems. It is, of course, most often associated with curries, where the right amount, especially of Alleppey turmeric, makes a significant contribution to flavor.
Recipes and more
mint
July 2026
Mint
Spearmint and peppermint oils are among the most important flavoring ingredients today, but it was not until the 18th century that large quantities of peppermint and spearmint were cultivated in England.
Recipes and more
parsley
June 2026
Parsley
Traditionally featured in well-known herb blends such as the French combination fines herbes as well as in a bouquet garni. Fresh or dried parsley may be used in omelets, scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, soups, pasta and vegetable dishes and in sauces to go with fish, poultry, veal or pork.
Recipes and more
dill
May 2026
Dill
Fresh green dill has a refreshing, refined taste that when used in modest amounts contributes an appetizing flavor to a wide range of foods.
Recipes and more
oregano
Apr. 2026
Oregano
Oregano is a popular ingredient in the regional dishes of many countries. Oregano cmplements basil- the combination of these two herbs with liberal amounts. of tomato has become synonomous in most countries with pizza and Italian pasta.
Recipes and more
spice it up month graphic
Mar. 2026
Smoked Paprika
Paprika is used exclusively to color and flavor food. It is a popular substitute for the artificial red colors commonly added to sausages and preserved meats. Its well-rounded and beautifully balanced flavor profile compliments most savory flavors.
Recipes and more
spice it up month graphic (1)
Feb. 2026
Lavender
All varieties of lavender are native to the Mediterranean regions, and some were known to the ancient Greeks and Romans. Lavender was often to bathwater - the English word lavender probably comes from the Latin lavare,“ to wash”.
Recipes and more
ground allspice
Dec. 2025
Ground Allspice
Allspice is found in many recipes for cakes and cookies. Some cooks use allspice as a substitute for cloves in sweet dishes, as the clove flavor is imparted more subtly. Allspice contains the same volatile oil, eugenol, that is found in cloves and basil. Allspice also complements the flavor of tomatoes and is widely used in the manufacture of tomato-based barbecue and pasta sauces.
Recipes and more
rosemary
Jan. 2026
Rosemary
Rosemary leaves, when bruised give off an aroma that is fragrant, pine-like, cooling, minty and, with its hints of eucalyptus, refreshingly head-clearing. Rosemary must be dried immediately after harvesting to prevent the loss of volatile oils.
Recipes and more
spice it up month graphic.png
Oct. 2025
Cumin Powder
Cumin is believed to be indigenous to the Middle East and was well known to the ancients as far back as 5000 BCE. Cumin seeds have been found in the pyramids of the pharaohs, and Egyptians were knows to have used them in the mummifying process before they started using cinnamon and cloves.
Recipes and more
pexels tara winstead 6694144
Aug. 2025
Basil
Basil’s pervasive clove-like aroma, which comes from the oil eugenol (also found in cloves and allspice), makes it such an ideal complement to tomatoes that it is often referred to as the “tomato herb”.
Recipes and more
spice it up spice graphic
June 2025
Garlic Powder
Garlic powder is a convenient option when you don't have fresh garlic on hand or don't want to peel and mince it. It is ideal for dry rubs and coatings because it won't introduce moisture.
Recipes and more

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