‘Unity in diversity’: that is what Vincent Smith said when summarizing his experience on India. This diversity is prominent not only through the natural landscapes, but also in other aspects, from religions, architectures to culture and cuisines. Indian cuisines are very diverse and delicious at the same time, thanks to the excellent spices used in cooking.

The aromatic flavor of a colorful variety of quality spices contributes to the intense flavor of Indian dishes. India is widely known as the homeland of thousands of spices used throughout the world. Distinctive flavor and high quality are the signatures of Indian spices that are now readily available in online grocery stores.

Let’s explore spices in India

Masala or spices are among the main ingredients in Indian dishes. However, not all dishes use all spices. If two delicacies use the same set of spices, the difference in the respective ratio lends itself to their unique flavor. Spices add not only flavor but also color to dishes, with a combination of both characteristics making delicacies more tempting to the taste.

With spices being the main essence of Indian dishes, even the slightest difference in proportion could cause a huge change in taste. The fine blend of spices is very important to ensure the authentic aroma and taste of Indian cuisine. Even some sweet dishes prepared in Indian kitchens also use spices to make them more flavorful and delicious.

Usually, most of the Indian housewives use powdered spices bought from the market. However, some prefer to buy the spices whole and grind them in their kitchens. Of the most used organic indian spices, turmeric, chilli, coriander, cumin, phenol, cardamom, peephole, mustard, fenugreek and asafoetida deserve a mention. However, these are just a few of the thousands of spices used across the country.

Hindustani spices in the foreign market

The demand for Hindustani or Indian spices is not limited to this country alone. These spices find a large market even outside of India. As the spices available in India are famous all over the world, they are exported to different parts of the world to prepare different exotic cuisines. The authentic flavors of these spices last for three months, after which they lose their flavor.

Whole vs powder

Expert chefs always suggest that to make the most flavorful dishes, whole spices should be used. This is because; Whole spices taste fresh and are therefore better alternatives to their powdered variations. Indian cuisines fall strictly under four headings, with each zone having its own unique spices.

Conclusion

Some people do not prefer spicy food and are more in favor of a simple and healthy diet. However, that never means that dishes prepared for health-conscious food connoisseurs don’t use spices at all. However, the spices are used in small amounts to flatter the palate of these people.

Chefs use another technique to lessen the cold flavor in these less spicy dishes. They take the seeds out of the chili peppers and then use them in food preparation. The intrinsic flavors burst out only after cooking oil is added to the pan.