Indian spices: a mosaic of colors

A spice is a substance that is used infood for color, flavor, and preservation. Different spices are obtained from different parts of a plant or tree such as seeds, barks, roots, and fruits. Some spices are thought to possess antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. Spices are used in cosmetics, religious rituals, medicines, and perfumes.

In our modern time, there is a high demand for Indian spices since they have a unique flavor and taste. There are various forms of spices, you can find fresh, dried, and powder varieties. They are a source of minerals, proteins, portions of fat, calories, and carbohydrates.

Spices are usually processed and combined with other ingredients, while herbs are the fresh part of a plant, usually leaves. Herbs like rosemary, sage, oregano, thyme, basil, cilantro, and tarragon have great significance. Both herbs and spices are used to impart flavor and aroma to food.

In addition, Herbs and spices have had great importance in history because they were the source of fortune and power.

Examples of herbs:

Sage:

Sage has light green leaves. It adds an exquisite touch to the cuisine, this herb goes well with heavy and creamy foods. Unlike other herbs, sage can be added at the beginning of food preparation.

Cilantro:

It is also known as Coriander leaf, Chinese parsley, and green coriander. This spice has a crucial role in the Indian kitchen. Cilantro is considered a good source of dietary fiber, magnesium, iron, and manganese. Besides, it is rich in vitamin C, vitamin K, proteins, potassium, calcium, and carotene. Coriander has been used in cosmetics for skin whitening products. Thanks to the high amount of antioxidants in cilantro, skin inflammations can be reduced. It also fights skin aging. Indian women use this spice not only to prepare their food but also to take care of their skin and hair beauty.

Indian spices :

India is known as “the land of spices “.This Asian country has a long history with the production and exportation of spices. Indian spices are various and different from other spices in the world. They are very famous for their unique qualities; besides, spice cultivation has been an Indian privilege for quite some time.

Pepper:

This spice is known for its black pepper variety that is defined as “the king of spices". Black pepper is considered the most important spice among the other Indian varieties and it plays an important role in the country's trade. This spice is used in all Indian dishes for flavoring foods. Pepper is a tropical plant that needs a temperature from 10 to 30 degrees to grow. The climate of India, where rainfall is about 200_300, is suitable for the growth of peppers. This spice thrives very well in loamy soils and even on red and laterite soils. This country is considered the largest producer of pepper after Indonesia. Kerala Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are the most popular regions in India that govern the cultivation and distribution of pepper. Also,1/3 of all production of black pepper is usually exported to foreign markets all over the world such as the USA, Canada, Russia, East European countries, Egypt, and Sudan.

Cardamom:

It is known as “The queen of aromatic spices.“ Cardamom is generally used for flavoring foods and in medicine. Cardamom has a strong smoky flavor. The largest amount of this spice comes from Nepal. It is used in medicine to treat jaundice.This aromatic spice grows in high temperatures and humid climates. It needsan annual rainfall of 3000_3600mm. Cardamom grows in deep, loamy, and well-drained soils. Also, the pH of the land should be maintained at 4.5-6.

Ginger:

It is a spice that grows mainly in Indian regions such as Sikkim, Assam, Kerala, Tripura, West Bengal, and Arunachal Pradesh. Ginger is considered an important ingredient in Indian culinary practices. Indians use ginger to make tea, which is very good for health.

Turmeric:

This spice is generally grown in Maharashtra, Meghalaya, and Gujarat. India is the largest producer of turmeric. Turmeric can be harvested in ten months' time. Warm weather is very good for the growth of turmeric. One acre of land yields from eight to ten tonnes of this spice.

Various herbs and spices help in building a strong Indian economy. This myriad of Indian spices is an attraction factor for tourists as well. Personally, I would love to visit India just to taste its famous foods made with a million types of spices.