Indian Spices & Their Uses
Indian spices are prized not only for their culinary uses, but for their medicinal ones as well. They come in the form of seeds, leaves and powders and can be blended into spice mixtures such as garam masala (usually clove, cardamom, cumin, pepper and cinnamon) and commercial curry powder (cumin, turmeric, coriander,red pepper and cloves). Spices give flavor to Indian foods and act as preservatives for food as well. Does this Spark an idea?
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Savory Seeds
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Seeds are used on bread and in pickles and relishes. Ajwain or carom seeds are ground and spread on breads or used in savory snacks such as samosas and pakoras. Their essential oil is thought to be a good cold remedy. Coriander seeds are used in fish dishes and curries. Nigella seeds (kalonji) are added to curries and mango pickle to impart an onion flavor. They are also used in relishes, yogurts and vegetable dishes. Mustard seeds are often found in pickles and curries.
Savory Leaves
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Coriander leaves are often found in curries. Curry leaves are an aromatic spice that, true to their name, lend flavor to curries. Coriander leaves are found in fish dishes and curries. Fenugreek leaves, which taste like celery, are especially good in meat or in cream-based curries. They are also sometimes considered to be an aphrodisiac.
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Hot and Savory Spices
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Cayenne pepper lends heat to curries. Chili powder and cayenne are the hottest Indian spices and can be found in highly spiced curries; chili powder is considered to be good for lowering your cholesterol. Asafoetida or hing, a resinous gum, is added in tiny amounts to enhance flavors in many savory dishes.
Sweet Spices
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Saffron turns rice and desserts a golden yellow. Though saffron is not solely a dessert spice, it is often used to color desserts a golden color; it is the most expensive Indian spice, and is found in savory curries and rice dishes as well. Turmeric is a less expensive alternative to saffron. Chai, or Indian tea, uses many of the spices found in desserts; these include cardamom, as are cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg or mace and ginger. All of these sweet spices are also used in many curries, desserts and confections. Nutmeg is found in custards, egg dishes and sweet drinks. Fennel seeds are often used in desserts, and to flavor pickles, too.
Spices for Health and Beauty
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Nutmeg is found in soaps and perfumes. Clove oil is used as an antiseptic and to ease toothache and gum pain. Cumin seeds boiled in water are used to cure dysentery; they are also good for the immune system. Ginger is used as a cough and cold remedy, as is black pepper. Asafoetida is taken to cure whooping cough, constipation, stomach ache and flatulence. Several sweet spices are used as breath fresheners and digestive aids, including cardamom, fennel seeds, coriander seeds, nutmeg and star anise. Nutmeg is used in soaps, perfumes and shampoo; turmeric is used in skin care products and as an antiseptic. Mustard oil is used both as a massage oil and a hair treatment.
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References
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