Ever wanted to infuse your soup, stew, or cider with rich spices without leaving behind floating bits of herbs or crunchy seeds? Meet the spice ball—also known as a spice infuser or herb ball. It’s a simple yet brilliant tool that lets you add big flavor to your dishes while keeping cleanup effortless.
Whether you’re simmering mulled wine, crafting a comforting broth, or brewing up a pot of chai, the spice ball is your aromatic ally.
What Is a Spice Ball?
A spice ball is a small, round, mesh or perforated metal container that holds whole spices, herbs, or tea leaves. Designed to steep in hot liquids, it acts like a giant tea infuser for your soups and sauces, allowing flavors to release while keeping solid ingredients contained.
Most spice balls come with a chain and hook or clasp, so you can secure them to the side of your pot for easy retrieval.
Why You’ll Love a Spice Ball
Mess-Free Flavor
Add whole spices like cloves, peppercorns, cinnamon sticks, or bay leaves—without leaving them loose in your dish.
Easy to Clean
Once you’re done cooking, just pop open the ball, empty it, and rinse it out.
Multipurpose Use
Perfect not only for cooking but also for steeping loose-leaf tea, mulled wine, or homemade broth blends.
Custom Blends
Create your own spice mixes for each dish without committing them directly to the pot.
Eco-Friendly Alternative
No need for disposable cheesecloth or spice bags—this tool is reusable and sustainable.
Creative Uses for a Spice Ball
- Soup & stew seasonings – Infuse broth with garlic cloves, peppercorns, rosemary, and bay leaves
- Mulled wine or cider – Add cloves, star anise, cinnamon sticks, and orange peel for holiday warmth
- Homemade chai – Brew loose spices like cardamom, ginger, fennel, and black tea together
- Flavoring rice or grains – Add herbs or aromatics to the water for subtle, infused taste
- DIY bouquet garni – Use in French recipes to hold thyme, parsley, and bay leaves together
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