In many cuisines, it is the unique herbs and spices that give dishes their signature flavors. This is true in African cuisine, in particular. In Africa, chefs tend to use a lot of pre-mixed spice blends to flavor their food. The next time you're in an African store, keep an eye out for these popular spice blends and give them a try in your home kitchen. Berbere Popular in Ethiopia, this spice blend is hot and spicy, but not overwhelmingly so.