Indian Food Spices

Quick Notes:

India food spices and herbs include:

Amchoor (dried mango powder), Asafetida, Bay Leaf, Cardamom, Chilies, Cinnamon, Cilantro, Coriander, Cumin, Fennel Seed, Fenugreek, Ginger Root, Kala Namak (a black salt with a sulfuric tang than enhances food flavor), Mustard Seeds (black or brown), Nigella, Nutmeg, Peppercorns, Saffron, Sesame Seeds, Turmeric.

Popular Blends:

Masala - blend used to make curry dishes

Masalas - a myriad number of seasoning blends consisting of a combination of ground and whole spices and herbs. Most Indian dishes, like curries, are flavored with these mixtures. Curry is the finished dish which is made with ingredients including masalas.

Garam Masala (dry or wet blends of warming spices) including usually: Bay Leaf, Cardamom, Chilies, Cinnamon, Ginger Root, Mace and Nutmeg.

Panch Phoran (used to season vegetarian dishes) includes: Cumin, Fennel Seed, Nigella, Fenugreek, black Mustard Seeds.

Nigella - Kalonji Seeds

Tamarind Pods

India's Cuisine is One of Contrasts:

Cultural, religious, and social customs prevail in the foods cooked up in this vast country of contrasts. Spices and herbs are used generously and help create a tasty memorable dining experience for all who partake.

Meats (primarily goat, lamb, chicken) are incorporated in the dishes of northern India, whereas, many dishes in the south reflect a largely vegetarian diet including legumes. India’s varied cuisine can be categorized, broadly, by its geographical regions: northern, southern, eastern and western.

Regional Differences:

Saffron - Kashmiri - Top Grade

Northern India, including the states of Kashmir and Punjab, is known for rich spicy flavors, especially its garam masalas which are of many variations. Cayenne, coriander, cumin, fenugreek, are the dominate flavors, with hints of onion, ginger, and garlic. The tandoori cooking style is unique to Punjab. Kashmir supplies the country’s best saffron.

Southern India, including the states of Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, has very spicy fare that generously incorporates the flavors of coconut (dried, fresh, or milk), tamarind, cinnamon, chilies, peanuts and curry leaves. Vindaloo (a hot spicy Goan dish), and Dal (legumes and spices) and Dosas (lentils and rice cakes) are some of the more generally similar foods.

Eastern India, including the states of West Bengal, Sikkim and Assam is known for foods that are rather flavorful. Cooks enjoy using spices, especially mustard seeds, to flavor broths, fish, meats, rice and other foods dominant in the region.

Western India, including the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra is known for a wide contrast in its foods. The state of Gujarat is almost totally vegetarian with a heavy emphasis on chilies, coconuts and ginger root; and for religious reasons, onion and garlic are forbidden ingredients. In the other states, caste and religion dictate whether meats and certain food items are used. In Maharashtra there is a strong emphasis on cooking with coconut, curry leaves, whole mustard seeds, and fish. Bommaloe Macchli (Bombay duck) is a dried fish that serves as a snack food and is added to curries as a flavoring.


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