Indian Spices: Spices are the soul of Indian Cuisine. They have the power to make any regular dish delectable. With a few basic spices, even a regular Gujarati household meal like Khichdi can become a power pack meal. Indian kitchens are a storehouse for various spices and blended spices but there are only a few spices we reach out for while daily cooking. Every Indian household has a spice box that is popularly known as ‘Masala Dabba’. It includes basic spices for cooking like turmeric, chilli powder, cumin seeds, mustard seeds, asafoetida, and coriander powder. Some households also include spices like Ajwain, black pepper, ginger, and garlic. Some of these spices are very important for your gut health as well. Spices give a base to any dish and make it flavorful.
Some of these spices have medicinal qualities as well. For instance, we all know how turmeric is a rich source or anti-inflammatory and antiseptic qualities. It helps in treating problems like high blood pressure, heart ailments, improves memory and is a natural pain reliever. Other spices also have medicinal qualities.
However, here we are going to talk about 10 essential spices that make food taste good and look eye-feasting. But before we jump into discussing these spices, let us first understand what a ‘Masala Dabba’ is.
What is a Masala Dabba?
Masala Dabba is the heart of any Indian Kitchen. It is a circular airtight box with five small compartments and one compartment in the center. The size could vary according to the needs but the basic size that is available in Indian households is the way its mentioned above. Indian spices like Turmeric Powder, Red Chilli Powder, Coriander Powder, Cumin Powder, and Asafoetida are a part of this Masala Dabba. However, the choice of these spices depends upon the region to region or family to family. You can easily find this kind of storage box on amazon. Now let us discuss the Essential Indian Spices.
Essential Indian Spices
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Turmeric Powder:
Turmeric has a substance called curcumin which has anti-inflammatory qualities. It is best known for its medicinal uses over the world. This spice is easily available in every Indian household. Turmeric adds vibrant color to any dish and makes it delicious. It improves gut health and is well known for its preventive caliber for fighting against diseases.
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Kashmiri Red Chilli Powder:
There are various kinds of chillies available in the market but the production and usage of Kashmiri Red Chilli are the highest across India. Indians love spicy food and so adding chilli powder to almost every dish is a must. It adds bright red color and smoky flavor to the dishes. It is mildly spicy but one should still be mindful while using it.
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Cumin Seeds:
Cumin seeds are a vital ingredient while cooking. This spice is an essential part of the Masala Dabba. It is used to add ‘Tadka (Tempering)’ to curries, daals, and soups. Cumin becomes more flavorful after dry roasting and grounding. It could also be added to Chaats along with some Chaat Masala. This spice has a lot of flavor and good health benefits. Moreover, it contains anti-oxidants and treats diarrhea, controls blood sugar, fights bacteria and parasites, and also has anti-cancerous cells.
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Mustard Seeds:
These seeds have a very pungent taste. It is a famous ingredient among many Indian dishes. It is used in pickles, curries, chutneys, and while making delectable dishes like ‘Waghareli Idli’ ( Tempered Masala Idli). You just have to wait until you put them in hot oil and then see them crackle.
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Asafoetida:
Asafoetida, popularly known as ‘Hing’ has made its place into the ‘Masala Dabba’ significantly. This spice is also added during the tempering as it has a very strong flavor and smell. It binds together all the spices and enhances the preparation of the dish.
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Coriander Powder:
Coriander powder is an ultimately versatile spice. It has a very citrus and earthy flavor. However, we can divide this into two categories; people who like it and people who don’t. People, who do not like it, address its flavor to be pungent and soapy. After roasting and grounding these seeds slightly, adding them to popular spice blends can take any dish to another level. This spice is a part of famous curries around the globe and it is also a part of various cuisines.
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Ajwain:
Ajwain is one of the common herbs and spices used in India. It is known for its incredible aroma and taste. It tastes like a combination of thyme, oregano, and cumin together. Its aftertaste leaves a spicy yet pleasant flavor in the mouth.
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Black Pepper:
Black Pepper is a flowering vine in the pepper family. Farmers cultivate it for its fruit, peppercorn. Peppercorns cultivate when they are unripe and then when they turn red, they are dried and are ready to use. Grounded or whole, it imparts a strong flavor and spiciness to the dish. This spice is added to famous seasoning blends to increase the heat and it is a spice that you must have in your pantry.
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Ginger:
It is possible to use this spice in both ways; fresh and dried (In powder form). The dried form, popularly known as ‘Sunth’ is a famous spice among Indian households. Fresh ginger or powder makes Indian Tea famous for its flavor across the world. It has a mild spicy flavor but a very strong taste altogether. Ginger and garlic go hand in hand. Adding a fresh flavor like ginger balances out garlic’s pungency.
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Dried Fenugreek (Kasuri Methi):
This famous spice is a little bitter to the palate but it has complex sweetness. It helps to make famous curries taste like the ones served in restaurants. Rubbing these dried leaves between both the palms will help in enhancing its flavor. It will release it’s aroma and flavor into the dish. Garnishing the food with dried fenugreek leaves makes the dish look eye-feasting.
HOW TO STORE INDIAN SPICES?
Storing these spices the right way is very essential because it directly accounts for how they will taste. In a country like India where rainy seasons last for about 4 months, it becomes difficult to store grocery that can catch moisture easily. Hence, air-tight containers are your best resort when it comes to storing spices. The steel-made ‘Masala Dabba’ is available in the market. These are very durable and convenient for everyday usage. If these circular containers are not available in your region, you could also opt for airtight jars and store these spices in a place where heat does not touch them directly.
SPICES – EXPIRY AND BEST BEFORE DATES.
Spices do have an expiry date. So, one must check the expiry date before buying it. If a spice is not being utilize and you want to check if it is still consumable, check the color and smell of the spice. Usually, when spices pass their expiry date, the color becomes dull and the taste becomes weird. Along with the expiry dates some products also have ‘Best Before’ dates. Best Before date means that the product is still edible but its quality is not the same as before. To cater the waste management system, most of the products these days have a ‘Best Before’ date printed on them.
I hope you enjoyed reading this informative guide.
