No, generally, spices do not contain onion. Onion, garlic, and celery are traditionally used as food and are not classified as spices.
Here's a breakdown:
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What defines a spice? A spice is generally defined as any aromatic vegetable substance in the whole, broken, or ground form used for seasoning food.
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Exclusions from the spice category: According to traditional definitions, substances traditionally used as a food, such as onions, garlic, or celery, are not considered spices.
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Onion as an ingredient: While onion is not a spice itself, it can be used in spice blends. In such cases, the product might be described as a "seasoning blend" or similar, rather than simply "spices." If onion is present, it will be listed as an ingredient.
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Spice blends vs. individual spices: It is crucial to differentiate between individual spices (like cinnamon, cumin, or coriander) and spice blends (like chili powder, curry powder, or taco seasoning). Blends may contain onion powder or dried onion as an ingredient.
Therefore, while individual spices typically don't include onion, onion in a powdered or dried form might be found as an ingredient in specific spice blends or seasoning mixes. Always check the ingredient list to be certain.