In order to max out your Cooking skill in New World, and craft some of the more rare recipes on the list, you're going to need to look for more scarce ingredients.
This guide helps you locate the different herbs and spices you'll need.
Where to find spices in New World
One thing to note when gathering spices in New World is that generally they are region specific. Most herbs and spices are tied to two or three regions only.
For example, you might come across Basil in Brightwood, but not in Ebonscale, while you will come across Ginger in Ebonscale, but not in Brightwood.
In order to gather herbs and spices, you'll need to farm up herb nodes using a Sickle. These look like a kind of lavender plant, and once harvested will yield varying herbs and spices.
Having a better harvesting skill level will increase your chances of getting spices from a herb node, as well as any bonuses you may have to the intelligence attribute.
Which tools you use also impacts your chances of gainiing spices. Generally, better quality tools increases your chances.
Why are herbs and spices important?
Herbs and spices are important for recipes in both the Cooking and Arcana professions, and as such are a popular resource among players. You might find competition for nodes if you're farming at peak times!
Spices are important for various recipes, and are used in completing Town Projects. Fish Bait also requires a Seasoning Blend, made up of the herbs and spices you collect.
Herbs and spices are also used in Arcana creations, in particular potions that increase stats or resistances, antidotes, and even healing tinctures.
