Scientists were stunned when the Martian orbiter Odyssey began sending back photos of what appeared to be an array of spices including salt, pepper, oregano and -- possibly -- chive in the southern hemisphere of the Red Planet.
Some scientists were quick to add that the discovery does not indicate there is or ever was any form of life on Mars.
"There are many natural processes which could have made these spices", said Arizona State University professor George Wentworth. "We just don't know what those processes are yet".
Other scientists claim this is the "smoking gun" in the case for life on Mars.
"What good would spices be without living things": argued fellow scientist Randy Nation.
NASA officials plan on sending a "spice detecting" space probe to the planet in July of this year.
Meanwhile, some scientists have claimed there are huge oceans and sandy beaches on Saturn's moon Titan indicating there may be spices there as well.
