Since ancient times India has been world-famous for its spices. Spices play a major role in building the human immunity system. In the Middle East and European countries, there was a great demand for these spices. India plays a significant role in the global spice market. No country in the world produces as many kinds of spices as India with its unmatched quality.
Spicy Indian Cuisine
Spices play a very important role in Indian cooking. Indian food is incomplete without them. Not only for their exquisite flavour and aroma, Indians spice up their food, teas, drinks and even sweets. Indian spices offer significant health benefits and contribute to boosting the immunity and health of an individual.
Around the world, most Indian households store their spices in an Indian spice box, which is called a Masala Dabba. This spice box is round and made of stainless steel with seven individual stainless steel bowls. It comes with a small measuring teaspoon and must have a tight-fitting lid in between the compartment for the bowls and the main lid. This ensures that the spices do not get all mixed up. Each bowl is filled with the seven most favourite and most commonly used spices in the household.
India is the largest producer of spices with an annual output of 4.4 million tons. There are a few basic spices in Indian cuisine that go into most dishes. Often, a very basic vegetable dish is made by adding cumin or mustard seeds and asafoetida to some hot ghee (clarified butter) or oil until they sizzle and pop. Then the vegetables are added and steamed.
Turmeric:
Other Names: Haldi
Garam Masala or Mixed Spice powder
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Garam Masala is a powdered blend/mix of spices (aromatic spices, see below) that may include cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, black peppercorns, nutmeg and mace. Garam means “hot”, but not chilli hot, hot in the sense that these spices are said to increase body temperature. It can be used with a mix of whole spices as well.
Cumin Seeds
Other Names: Jeera, Jeeragam, Jilakara, black cumin, Kala jeera, royal cumin, Shah jeera, Comino, cumin
Coriander Seeds
Other Name: Dhaniya
Black Mustard Seeds
Other Name: Mohri
Chilli Powder
Other Names: Lal Mirch, Mirchi powder
India’s share of spices has been 15% in the world market. Be it flavouring or tempering cooked food or preparing medicines and dyes, these spices have endless uses. The main prominent spices include pepper, chillies, turmeric, ginger, cardamom, clove, areca nut etc. Turmeric and Cinnamon are key ingredients in boosting immunity like ginger and garlic. Moreover, each spice has its own health benefit, which directly or indirectly helps in boosting immunity.