Indian Spices

Indian Spices

India has the distinction of being "The Home of Spices", as Spices form some of the most important commercial crops in India. Spices are strongly flavoured substances obtained from tropical plants,and used as a very important ingredient in Indian cuisine.This has made Indian food extremely popular among people across the world.While a wide variety of spices are produced in India, the Indian state of Kerala is the leading producer.

Spices are normally dried seeds, fruits, roots, barks or substances obtained from plants. They are dried and ground or grated into powder. Small seeds, such as fennel and mustard seeds are used whole or in powder form.They are used in very small quantities as additives for flavouring food. While Spices enhances the taste of food, some are also considered to be good for health. They contain calcium, iron, vitamin B, vitamin C, carotene and other antioxidants

Spices are normally used in very small quantities as additives for flavouring food. While Spices enhances the taste of food, some of the spices are considered good for health.

Indian Spices, when heated in pans using cooking oil or ghee, release their flavours to bring out their flavour, and used in preparation of food. Certain spices are used for other purposes and used in medicine, preparation of cosmetics and perfumes and even religious rituals,

Spices such as turmeric and garlic are also used as vegetables.

As Spices form some of the most important commercial crops in India, it has the distinction of being "The Home of Spices". Spices are strongly flavoured substances obtained from tropical plants, and are the most important ingredient in an Indian cuisine, and this has made Indian food extremely popular among people across the world. While a wide variety of spices are produced in India, the Indian state of Kerala is the leading producer.

Indian spices release their flavours while cooking in hot oil. They are heated in pans using cooking oil or ghee, to bring out their flavour, and are added to the food being prepared. Certain spices are used for other purposes also. They are used in medicine, religious rituals, preparation of cosmetics and perfumes and even as vegetables . For example, turmeric and garlic are not only used as preservatives and medicines, but are also used as vegetables.