Category: Kitchen Spices
Turmeric
Turmeric is a spice that comes from the turmeric plant. It is commonly used in Asian food. You probably know turmeric as the main spice in curry. It has a warm, bitter taste and is frequently used to flavor or color curry powders, mustards, butter, and cheeses. But the root ... more
Read moreTamarind
The health benefits of tamarind or imli are often not spoken about. But this sour fruit can actually keep your liver and heart safe from diseases. Known for its sweet and tangy taste, Tamarind is used all over the world to make chutneys, stews, sauces, and even desserts. But apart ... more
Read moreStar Anish
Star anise is actually the hard pericarp of the fruit of the star anise tree, which is scientifically known as Illicium verum. Native to Southeast Asia and parts of China, this hardened fruit can be ground into a valuable powder to be used as a spice or even used whole in certain ... more
Read moreSesame Seeds
Sesame seeds that have been in cultivation for thousands of years are perhaps the oldest oil-rich seeds. Known as the ‘queen of oil seeds’, strongly endorsed by Ayurveda and other traditional forms of medicine for stimulating body heat, energy, and skin, hair benefits, these tiny seeds are a must-have in ... more
Read moreSaffron
Saffron is the most expensive spice in the world — with 1 pound (450 grams) costing between 500 and 5,000 U.S. dollars. The reason for its hefty price is its labor-intensive harvesting method, making the production costly. Saffron is harvested by hand from the Crocus sativus flower, commonly known as the “saffron ... more
Read moreRed Chilies
Whenever we talk about Indian cuisine, the first thought that pops up in our minds is the heat in it. And that’s nothing but the kick of chilies. Indian foods are incomplete without chilies in their spices. But did you know India has almost ten types of chilies spread all ... more
Read morePoppy Seeds
Poppy Seeds are the nutty oilseeds obtained from the poppy plant, which is a staple condiment apart from garlic and mustard, found in Indian kitchens. Known by the vernacular names khus khus in Hindi, kasakasa in Tamil, and Gasagasalu in Telugu, this flowering plant is widely cultivated across Southeastern Europe ... more
Read moreAnardana
Anardana refers to the dried and ground seeds of the pomegranate. The name anardana is a Persian portmanteau. Anar translates to pomegranate and dana means seed. Anardana goes by different names depending on where in India you find it. Most of the anardana that you are likely to find in the West is very ... more
Read moreNutmeg
India is the land of spices. Walk into the kitchen of a typical Indian household, and you will find a string of containers that are filled with different types of spice, neatly arranged. One such spice that you will find in one of those many containers is nutmeg. Valued for ... more
Read moreNigella Seeds (Kalongi)
The kalonji, or Nigella seeds, is an interesting spice – when used for tempering, it adds a beautiful aroma to the dishes and a hint of flavor that you can’t quite nail. In India, dry roasted kalonji is used for flavoring curries, dal, stir-fried vegetables, and even savories such as samosa, papdis, ... more
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