Indian Spices Wielding their Magic in Kitchens around the globe

So, which all Indian spices are wielding their magic in your kitchen today?

Spices, known as ‘masalas’ in Indian kitchens, add that quintessential taste, aroma and flavour to the food that takes the entire gourmet experience to a different high.

While it is a known fact that Indian cuisine is incomplete without spices, and the bond goes back centuries, Indian spices are now also spreading their aroma and flavour to kitchens across the globe.

The evolving food industry has witnessed a revolution, and the culinary experience is rapidly getting enhanced with more and more chefs moving towards experimenting with different cooking techniques and flavours.

The growing popularity of Indian cuisine across the globe has seen Indian restaurants dotting the streets of most cities in the world.

Italy, Africa, Europe, USA and Middle East are among the few countries where Indian spices have made a marked contribution, either in their traditional dishes or creating a fusion with their cuisine.

Indian spices are therefore much sought after, not just to add the mystical touch of the east, but also to make the culinary experience more enriching and sublime.

Here is a part of my Indian spices list that I cannot do without in my kitchen and which have a global appeal as well.

Turmeric (Haldi)

Turmeric is popularly called ‘haldi’ in Indian kitchens. It is indeed a magical golden spice as not only does it add a distinct earthy flavour and a vibrant golden colour to the cuisine, but packs a healthy punch as well when made a part of the daily routine.

Integral to Indian cooking, turmeric is added to almost every Indian dish. Such a beneficial spice, turmeric is gaining importance across the globe.

Cumin (Jeera)

Known as ‘Jeera’ in Indian cuisines, this dark, earthy and slightly pungent spice is a powerhouse of taste and flavour.

‘Jeera-ka-tadka’ in Indian lentil and vegetables fills the kitchen with a heady flavour and is simply irresistible. Cumin can be used in both powdered form and as seeds as well.

Cumin powder adds a distinct and delicious taste when added to ‘raitas’ (yoghurt), lassi and also influences the African cuisine in a big way.

Coriander (Dhaniya)

Coriander, aka ‘dhaniya’ is also used both as a seed and in powdered form. Spreading warm and toasty aroma, it is a ‘must-cook-with’ spice.

Light golden brown in colour, the coriander seeds are hollow and have a lovely earthy, nutty flavour. While the seeds are used whole for tempering, but more often they are ground into a powder and used to add a distinct taste to the dish.

Coriander powder is also an essential ingredient in the spice blends like garam masala and chana masala, favourites in Indian kitchens.

Ginger (Adrak)

An essential part of my Indian spice list, ginger, also known as ‘adrak’ is remarkable, in both fresh and a dried powder form.

It adds an intense, spicy and delicious flavour to the food and has a special place in the heart of an Indian.

A piping hot cup of ginger tea, popularly known as 'adrak wali chai,’ is a favourite in many homes across the globe.

Whole Spice Mix (Garam Masala)

Also called ‘whole spice mix’, garam masala is integral to Indian cooking.

Many spices like coriander, cumin, black pepper, mace, cinnamon, cloves, to name a few are roasted and ground together to make this spice mix. Among the traditional Indian spices, it adds a mouth-watering flavour to the cuisine.

It is available extensively in USA and Europe, and Ethiopian cuisine is also influenced by this spice mix, especially in kebabs.

Cinnamon (Dalchini)

Also known as ‘dalchini’, cinnamon is simply awesome when added to any dish. Just the aroma of this rich spice can fill up one’s senses.

A staple in kitchens across the globe, cinnamon lights up any kind of cuisine, sweet or savoury. From lip-smacking biryanis, kebabs to cobblers, apple-cinnamon tarts, the list is endless.

If that were not enough, the little pinch of cinnamon powder added to tea or coffee never fails to add that zing.

The above are but a few of the Indian spices making delicious inroads in kitchens across the globe.

Would love to know which are your ‘must-use’ spices and add that extra something to your food. Please add to the list in the comment section below and let’s together enhance our gourmet journey.