seasoning / spice
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seasoning
An ingredient, usually of plant origin such as herbs or spices, that is added to food to improve or change its flavor.
Der Suppe fehlt noch die richtige Würze, vielleicht etwas Pfeffer und Muskat.
The soup still lacks the right seasoning, maybe some pepper and nutmeg.
spice
In a figurative sense, something that makes a situation, experience, or life more interesting, exciting, or appealing.
Man sagt, die Abwechslung sei die Würze des Lebens.
People say that variety is the spice of life.
'Die Würze' (seasoning/spice) is the noun related to the verb 'würzen' (to season). When you season food, you give it 'Würze' (seasoning).
Ich muss die Soße noch etwas würzen, ihr fehlt die richtige Würze.
I still need to season the sauce a bit; it lacks the right seasoning.
In the context of food, 'Würze' is often used to express that flavor is missing. Typical formulations are 'dem Essen fehlt die Würze' (the food lacks seasoning) or 'etwas mehr Würze vertragen' (to be able to use a bit more seasoning).
Der Eintopf schmeckt fad, er könnte mehr Würze vertragen.
The stew tastes bland; it could use more seasoning.
The figurative meaning is used almost exclusively in the idiom 'die Würze des Lebens' (the spice of life). This means that something makes life more exciting or interesting.
Kleine Abenteuer sind die Würze des Lebens.
Little adventures are the spice of life.
ingredient
Zutat is any component used in a dish. Würze, by contrast, is an ingredient whose main purpose is to improve or change the flavor. Use Zutat when you mean the component in general, and Würze when its effect on the flavor is the focus.
Knoblauch gibt dieser Suppe eine kräftige Würze.
Garlic gives this soup a strong flavor.
Knoblauch ist eine wichtige Zutat für diese Suppe.
Garlic is an important ingredient in this soup.
