seasoning

thumb|upright=1.15|The ingredients for Recado rojo|achiote paste: oregano, ground cloves, ground cumin, minced garlic, and ground annatto Seasoning is the process of supplementing food via herbs, spices, and/or salts, intended to enhance a particular flavour.

==General meaning== Seasonings include herbs and spices, which are themselves frequently referred to as "seasonings". Salt may be used to draw out water, or to magnify a natural flavor of a food making it richer or more delicate, depending on the dish. This type of procedure is akin to curing. For instance, sea salt (a coarser-grained salt) is rubbed into chicken, lamb, and beef to tenderize the meat and improve flavour. Other seasonings like black pepper and basil transfer some of their flavors to the food. A well-designed dish may combine seasonings that complement each other.