According to the European Commission, EU member states imported 423,000 tonnes of spices from outside the EU last year. 

The Centre for the Promotion of Imports from developing countries (CBI) says that "as European countries do not have suitable agro-climatic conditions to cultivate most spices and herbs, they depend heavily on imports from tropical and semi-tropical countries."

The majority of spice imports into the EU originate from the Asian continent, although some imports also come from Africa and South America.

Many types of spices are used in European cuisines, but where do they mostly originate from? Test your knowledge here...