India is a land of Spices. Heart of Indian Kitchens and of course love for Indian Women. Before we move ahead with knowing the Most Important and Essential Indian Spices. Let us get to know the history of where and how it all started. Indian Spices have a history that is more than 6000 years old. India was the largest exporter of Spices. Not just that, it has always been the largest producing and consuming country of spices in the world. Many foreign countries were lured by this spice trade and it was amongst one of the reasons why they wanted to have relations with India.
Not just this, Indian spices have been mentioned in the Hindu Scripts which dates backs to Third Century B.C. Now that’s a historical mention! It says spices had used for Medicinal purposes. Ayurveda describes Spices and their importance with its medicinal purpose. In fact Even today, Ayurveda is the most sought out treatment for a few diseases.
Now if you haven’t tasted Indian food, then you are missing something, a lot in your life. The Key to successful Indian Food is using these right Essential spices. Indians like it spiced-up not bland.
“All the Spices serves a different purpose.”
“Indian food is unimaginable without Spices”
Let’s start with the list of Important Indian Spices. With no ranking and random list. There comes the list of 8 Most used and Best Spices of India.
8 Essential Indian Spices
Turmeric (Haldi)
It is best known as The Golden Spice of India
Turmeric is a bright yellow spice that gives much Indian food its characteristic color. It is consumed in Desserts as well as Spiced Dishes. But it should not be used in large quantities as it imparts medicinal properties. This spice is significant for its anti-inflammatory properties. It is the only spice that has compounds to fight cancer. Generally, Indians use it as a Night Drink which is Hot Milk with Turmeric. This spice is easily available in the Indian Supermarket or Indian Grocery store. It is one of the important and essential Indian spices found in every kitchen of India
Recently discovered and called Turmeric Latte in the U.S.
Cinnamon (Dalchini)
Cinnamon is amongst that Indian Spices used even in Deserts
This tree bark looking thing is actually an important spice. Cinnamon is taken from the inner bark of the Cinnamomum tree. It is popularly used in Chutneys, Meats, and Biryani. You can use Cinnamon or Dalchini as the whole stick broken into pieces and drop only a few of it in the dish. But you are not supposed to eat this spice. Of course, you can’t eat tree bark. Since it leaves its rich flavors in the dish and With a strong aroma, it can be used in Deserts like Apple Pie or Cakes or Indian Rice Pudding.
It reduces cholesterol and balances blood sugar level
Mustard Seeds (Raai)
These tiny seeds are usually black or brown in color. Mustard seeds have spicy smell. You can sprinkle it on Chutneys, Vada , Dosa , Curries, and Lentil soups called Dal. The flavor of mustard seeds are released when it is first put in hot oil. They have Smoky and Nutty flavor. You can use it either as Base or Seasoning depending on what you are cooking. It is one of the important spices for daily cooking.
Mustard seeds are a source of relief for people having rheumatic arthritis.
Cumin (Jeera)
Cumins have a pungent flavor and rich in aroma. Furthermore, You can use Cumin seeds as a seasoning ingredient and ground cumin as a flavoring agent. Cumin spice releases its aroma once it’s put in the hot oil during the beginning of cooking any dish. Moreover, You can use it in cooking Rice. Jeera Rice is in fact rice cooked with Cumins.
Indian’s drink Cumin water after a heavy meal as it helps with digestion.
Ginger (Adrakh)
Ginger resembles the Root of a Tree. But it is a stem of a tree. You will find Ginger Paste ready in every Indian Kitchen. Almost all the Indian dishes contain this spice. Be it Meat ,Vegetables and Pulse. You can also use it for marination of meats like chicken and meat. Easiest recipe to make Ginger paste is to Put Ginger, Salt and Little Oil in a Blender. Grind it well and your multipurpose Ginger Paste is ready. Ginger is an essential spice for Indian cooking.
Further, You can use Ginger for various types of “stomach ailments including motion sickness, morning sickness, upset stomach and colic
Coriander seeds(Dhanya)
These seeds serve a lot of purposes. Indian cuisines use lots of Coriander seeds either as a spice or the leaves feature as a garnish. It settles an upset stomach and it is good for digestion too. Grind Coriander seeds and store for a longer time and use it as ground coriander. You can also chop the leaves into fine pieces and sprinkle as a garnish on Pav Bhaji, Salads, Pasta, Curry, Biryani, etc. You will find this Spice in the Indian grocery store or any Indian Super Market.
Coriander seeds has anti-inflammatory property and can help to control diabetes. Indians usually use this spice by grinding it.
Cardamom (Elaichi)
The most vivid amongst the spice family is Cardamom or Elaichi. It tastes citrusy, minty, spicy, herbal. It’s a digestive aid for most of the Indians. One can consume it in a raw state. You can use it in Deserts, Beverages and of course in dishes like Biryani, Pulav, Kheer, etc
Cardamom is one of those Indian spices which speeds up digestion, reduces inflammation of the stomach lining and also fights heart burn and nausea
Saffron (Kesar)
Saffron is the richest and most expensive spice in the world. Kashmir, A heaven on Earth. cultivates saffron. Crocus flowers help in the derivation of saffron. It is more expensive than gold. The most noticing feature of this spice is it has a pungent and somewhat honey-like aroma. Above all, To know whether it is in the purest form, check the color of the saffron. The deeper and darker the color of saffron, the purer it is. Furthermore, People normally soak it in water or milk, which soothes its strong aroma and taste. Again Deserts like Pudding, Saffron Milk, Kheer as well as in Chicken Rice use saffron.
However, Check the quantity carefully as a high amount can have toxic effects. A small amount of Saffron goes a long way, and you often won’t need more than a pinch in your recipe.
A large use of a wide variety of Indian spices symbolizes India’s food culture and cuisines. And once you’ve stocked up on the must-haves, you’re ready to jump right in and cook delicious, aromatic Indian dish with all the subtle, abiding, deep flavors of great Indian food. You will find these Essential Spices in the Indian grocery store or any Super Market.
How to differentiate the Natural and Essential Indian Spices from the Fakes?
- You can differentiate Ground cinnamon from cassia by adding iodine drop into the powder. If the spice turns blue, it’s cassia.
- Natural Turmeric does not forms white stains on the surface
- Cardamoms are Olive in color and not dark green. A darker color suggests use of artificial color
- For Saffron, Dissolve the saffron in water and the water changes color. It means it is original
You can use these spices not just for your Culinary, but also for medicinal purposes. Furthermore, A lot of Indian Moms use these spices as a Home remedy which is Quick and Effective.
If you are not using these in your kitchen, you can still keep it for emergency medical aids.
