Food

Facts About The Indian Spices

Clare Louise

India is a land most known for its rich heritage, culture, cuisines and its beautiful landscape. India has everything that a person may wish to enjoy, from attractive futuristic cities to untouched beautiful villages, from expensive, exclusive collectibles to traditional cultural heritage.

But one of the most enthralling things about India, and perhaps the bread and butter of India is its Agriculture. Indian soil is very fertile and is dredged by numerous rivers. The altitude that is offered by the several hills and mountains in India is perfect for some rare vegetation such as nuts and Indian spices.

Both these things are extremely popular in India as they are of high quality and abundance. Nuts and spices are exported from India and have high demand and reputation in the global export market.

There are perhaps tens of hundreds of varieties of spices in India, and each one differs in variety from the other based on the region it is grown in. This is one of the most unique things about the Indian Terrain.

Why use Spices?

One might wonder why use spice at all, and the answer lies in key chemical compounds. All spices have certain chemicals in them that are naturally occurring and have various benefits for human health such as aiding in digestion and metabolism and fighting against issues such as cold, flu, fever, bacterial infections, etc. They should be included in the everyday diet as it aids in one’s good health.

Types of Indian Spices

There are so many spices that are unique to India but have now become common all over the world. Thanks to globalization, people everywhere are able to enjoy these spices by buying them from their nearest retailers and from online vendors.

The quality and freshness is also upheld by genuine retailers across the world. Original Indian spices come in a variety of species based on how and where they are grown. Below are some of the most common Indian spices.

1. Cinnamon

Cinnamon is a bark of a tree and has one of the best fragrant smells on the spice list. It is often used to make flavored rice, spicy gravies, desserts and even some beverages like Spiced Chai and Coffee. It is great for digestion, helps alleviate cold and flu and helps in rejuvenating the body.

2. Cardamom

Cardamom fields in India are difficult to enter because of the extremely pungent fragrance of this spice – cardamom is a staple in Indian cuisines and is used in almost all curries, pulao varieties, biryani varieties and all kinds of desserts. They are excellent for treating cold and flu and helps boosts immunity.

3. Cloves

Cloves are another important Indian spice that has a fresh and aromatic appeal. They are known for their antibacterial and antiviral properties and help in fighting against many infections. Clove extracts are also used as medicine in Homoeopathy and Ayurveda. Its uses are similar to Cardamom and Cinnamon.

4. Star Anise

Star anise is a flower that is dried and used as a spice. This beautiful-looking spice is great for flavor and is known to boost metabolism and digestive power. Star Anise is famously used in Biryanis and meat-based curries and gravies.

5. Bay Leaf

Bay leaf is a dried leaf from a herb that has a scintillating flavor and aroma. When added to rice and gravies, it adds to the spicy fragrance and taste of the cuisine. It is also used as medicine for digestive issues.