ESSENTIAL SPICES OF INDIA &THEIR BENEFITS

Food has a very important role in human life and for Indians it is more than a way to satisfy hunger. In India Food is a celebration, a feeling, an emotion, a way to express Love Happiness and sometimes as a stress reliever.  

Food is a tradition passed down through generations. Preserving family recipes is like saving its  honour and heritage in some families. Recipes like Curries, Pickles, Sweets are all a family thing.

I personally feel legacy is not only a property or family wealth but the culture tradition and unique recipes a daughter gets from her mother or a grandmother through generations.

I never took much interest in cooking and never wished to actually learn cooking techniques or recipes from my mother . But watching her cooking and knowing what all she had in her spice shelf helped me to become a better cook. I always enjoyed cooking whatever I could  and with passing time my siblings felt I cook like my mom and it tasted the same. As I grew older I honestly realised there are few recipes that are very similar to my mother. One of the best compliments I could have got is that my cooking was compared with my mother . The secret was Love and Happiness of serving good food for the family with the flavors of some spices.

Love is the essential ingredient for every recipe and the authentic spices bring Flavour, Colour , Aroma and Taste to the dish or food we cook. 

Land of Spices- India we all know is called the Land of Spices because no country in the world produces as many varieties of spices as India. There are many states in India producing spices like Rajasthan, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh producing high volume of spices but Kerala has been a major grower and exporter of spices.

CLIMATE CONDITIONS FOR SPICE CULTIVATION AND PLANTATION 

Kerala is situated on the tropical Malabar Coast of southwestern part of India and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India  It is also named one of the ten paradises of the world by National Geographic Traveler. Kerala is not only known for its tourism and beautiful backwaters but also known as a rich spice state of the country with huge production of many varieties of spices in the world.  Known as the spice garden of India Kerala has a huge variety of spices and is famous all over the world. The major locations where these spices are cultivated in Kerala are- Idukki and Wayanad.

 Kerala has ideal climatic conditions for growing spices such as pepper, clove and ginger, etc, as these spices grow only in a hot and humid climate. 

Warm humid climate, loamy soil rich in organic matter, reasonable amount of rainfall contribute to the production of high quality cardamom in Kerala.

The maturation of spices happens in a very dry climatic condition and the climatic condition in Kerala is also dry.

 In southern India, Cardamom only grows in evergreen forests. For growing cardamom, loamy soil in waterlogged conditions and evergreen forests makes it favourable to grow Cardamom. The spices are grown in slopes so that it could be cultivated easily.

 What are Spices 

spice is a seed, fruit, root, bark, or other plant substance primarily used for flavoring or coloring food. Spices are distinguished from herbs, which are the leaves, flowers, or stems of plants used for flavoring or as a garnish.

Spices give aroma, color, flavor, and sometimes even texture to food

Indian Spices Found and Grown in Kerala.

Spices are plant products used in flavoring foods, soups, beverages. Some of the spices have medicinal and healing properties therefore even used for Ayurvedic medicines. 

Some of the Essential Spices for Indian Cooking are:

PEPPER– The Black Gold.

Hundreds of years ago, traders considered black pepper as the king of spices.it was one of the very first items of commerce between India and Europe and was also called the Black Gold.

Black pepper is a common spice of Indian cuisine used in curries to spice up with its flavours.

It can be added in  salads or soups.

Benefits : High in antioxidants  and anti-inflammatory properties . 

Helps improve blood sugar control. It is also good for digestion.

Cultivation: India, black pepper is mainly grown in Kerala, TamilNadu, Karnataka, Konkan, Pondicherry & Andaman and Nicobar Islands. India is the top producer, consumer and exporter of black pepper in the world. Kerala itself produces 90% off total production of black pepper

CLOVES–  The Dentist!

The name comes from the Latin word clavus, which means nail since the shape of a dried clove resembles that of a nail 

The name comes from the French "clou" meaning nail. Cloves come from Madagascar, Indonesia and Sri Lanka. In Kerala, cloves are grown in the Kottayam, Trivandrum, Kozhikode and Kollam districts.

Cloves are flower buds, commonly used as Indian spice and harvested in Kerala. which are dried flower buds from the clove tree. This popular spice is used in soups, stews, meats, sauces, and rice dishes. Cloves have an aroma which goes well with mutton or chicken Biryani in India. 

Benefits:Contain important nutrients 

High in antioxidants. 

Cloves can kill bacteria

May improve liver health

May reduce stomach ulcers.

May promote bone health. ...

May help regulate blood sugar

Clove Essential Oil:

Clove oil is produced by distilling the dried flower buds that are collected from the clove tree. Other parts of the tree, such as the stem and leaves, may also be used.

Some of the amazing benefits of Clove oil are:

as an antimicrobial, to help kill bacteria.

Clove oil for dry skin is a great natural remedy. The best way to take advantage

as a pain reliever for conditions such as toothache and muscle pain.

Help preventing cavities 

Helps relieve respiratory conditions like cough and asthma.

Cultivation: In India, clove is mostly grown in the hilly tracts of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka

Cardamom – The Queen of Spices.

Cardamom is the dried seed pod of an herbaceous perennial plant in the ginger family and is native to India, Bhutan and Nepal. 

Cardamom queen of spices, this exotic spice has an intoxicating, rich aroma with complex flavors of sweet floral notes, camphor, lemon, mint and a hint of pepper. 

Cardamom is an Indian spice known for its intense flavor and its use in traditional medicine, such as to help with digestion.

Cardamom is warm and sweet and well with many sweet as well as savory dishes. In India it is used to flavour desserts like Rice pudding or can be added in Rice. The spice also be added in tea.

Benefits: Antioxidant and Diuretic Properties

May Lower Blood Pressure

May Protect from Chronic Diseases Thanks to Anti-Inflammatory Effects

Help with Digestive Problems

May Treat Bad Breath and Prevent Cavities

Cardamom has antibacterial properties and can be helpful in healing breakouts and acts as a skin purifier by clearing out blemishes. 

Plantation:  The major producers of cardamom in India are Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

Idukki district in Kerala is the major cardamom-producing area and places such as Udumbanchola taluka, Peermede taluka and Devikulam taluka are important centres in Idukki district.

 

Cinnamon – The Best Antioxidant Spice.

Cinnamon is a spice obtained from the inner bark of several tree species from the genus Cinnamomum. It is used mainly as an aromatic condiment and flavouring additive in a wide variety of Indian cuisines, sweet and savoury dishes,, snackfoods, can be used in tea and other traditional foods recipes. Cinnamon is a commonly used spice in other  countries as well mainly in desserts, Cake , cookies or breakfast  cereals. If you ever visit Canada so you don't miss sweet Cinnamon Bun anyone can fall in love with that creamy yummy Buns or even Cinnamon Rolls.

Benefits: With Powerful Medicinal Properties and  Loaded With Antioxidants Cinnamon has many benefits. 

Cinnamon Has Anti-Inflammatory Properties.

May Cut the Risk of Heart Disease

Cinnamon Can Improve Sensitivity to the Hormone Insulin

Cinnamon Lowers Blood Sugar Levels and Has a Powerful Anti-Diabetic Effect. 

Mixture of honey and cinnamon has the potential to lower your risk of heart disease as it may help reduce  its risk factors which include elevated LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Cultivation: Cinnamon is naturally seen in the forests of Western Ghats and commercially cultivated in Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. 

 Nutmeg –Fruit turned as a Spice.

Nutmeg is the seed or ground spice of several species of the genus Myristica. Myristica fragrans is a dark-leaved evergreen tree cultivated for two spices derived from its fruit nutmeg from its seed, and mace from the seed covering. It is also a commercial source of an essential oil and nutmeg butter.

The spice has a distinctive pungent fragrance and a warm slightly sweet taste and  is commonly used in the preparation of various Indian dishes and also around the world various cuisines. It can also be used to flavor many kinds of baked goods.

Benefits: Nutmeg is found to have health benefits, including its ability to relieve pain, soothe indigestion, strengthen cognitive function, detoxify the body, boost skin health, alleviate oral conditions, reduce insomnia, increase immune system function, and prevent leukemia, and improve blood circulation.

Cultivation: In India nutmeg is mainly cultivated in Thrissur, Ernakulam and Kottayam districts of Kerala and parts of Kanyakumari and Tirunelveli districts in Tamil Nadu.

Star Anise –

Star anise is a spice made from the fruit of the Chinese evergreen tree Illicium verum and is named for the star-shaped pods. It has a mild and fragrant licorice flavour.

Star anise is known to enhance the meat flavor and is an essential spice ingredient commonly used in Indian cuisines such as Mutton biryani and other authentic curries. It is also used in stews and soups to add a sweet-licorice-peppery flavor.

Benefits:Shikimic acid is an Active component in star anise is one of the rarest compounds which is used in anti-flu medicines. When combined with a plant antioxidant quercetin works as a very effective treatment against influenza and cough. Other benefits are 

Star Anise has Antioxidant Benefits 

Fights Viruses and Flu.

Digestive Aid and Protection.

Stops Growth of Bacteria and Fungi.

May Reduce Respiratory Congestion.

Improves Lactation.

Protects Liver – Detoxifies the Body

Relieves Pain and Inflammation

Anti-Cancer Agent

Brain Health and Combat Neurological Disorders

Improves Sleep

Skin Care

Eases Menopause Symptoms.

Helps in boosting immunity and fights against the viral infections.

Cultivation:Most of the world's Star anise crop comes from China. In India, the only state that produces a viable crop of the spice is Arunachal Pradesh, where the soil and climatic conditions are just right for its growth. 

Ginger – The Digestive Expert.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a flowering plant whose rhizome, ginger root or ginger, is widely used as a spice and a folk medicine. It is a herbaceous perennial which grows annual pseudostems (false stems made of the rolled bases of leaves) about one meter tall bearing narrow leaf blades.

Benefits: Ginger Lemon tea or in warm water helps burn fat and weight loss

Ginger can treat many forms of nausea especially morning sickness

Reduce inflammation

ease period pain, 

aid digestion

Ginger contains gingerol, a substance with powerful medicinal properties

Ginger may reduce muscle pain and soreness

The anti-inflammatory effects can help with osteoarthritis.

Ginger tea during winters is the perfect drink and trust me you don't enjoy it. If you are alone there's something about Ginger tea in India in winter that you have with your family or during chilly days.

Cultivation: Ginger is cultivated in most of the states in India. Karnataka, Orissa, Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Gujarat together contribute 65 per cent to the country's total production of Ginger.

Turmeric – The Natural Antiseptic.

Turmeric is a flowering plant, Curcuma longa of the ginger family, Zingiberaceae. The roots of this plant are used in cooking as it is an old Indian spice. Turmeric is a bright yellow spice that is typically used for flavor and color in Asian cuisine. It has an earthy aroma, and its flavor profile is slightly peppery and bitter, with a subtle ginger taste.

The roots are dried and made in powder form to use in cooking. It is commonly used in Indian food as the main spice in curries. It has a warm, bitter taste and is frequently used to flavor and color.

Benefits: Turmeric is an old Indian spice with a powerful medicinal compound called Curcumin.

Its most active compound curcumin has many scientifically-proven health benefits, such as the potential to prevent heart disease, Alzheimer's and cancer.

It's a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant and may also help improve symptoms of depression and arthritis. 

Turmeric contains three naturally occurring phytochemicals called curcuminoids, the most notable and researched of which is curcumin.

In India Golden Milk or Turmeric Milk is full of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds. It's a healthy recipe and great warm drink for those with low immunity conditions. It is also a relaxing drink to enjoy before bed.

Also it is said that a cup of turmeric milk in the morning or just before bedtime can keep cold and flu at bay.

Cultivation: India is a leading producer and exporter of turmeric in the world. Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Orissa, Karnataka, West Bengal, Gujarat, Meghalaya, Maharashtra, Assam are some of the important states cultivating turmeric.

The spices listed above are treasure and can be mixed to make a refreshing Masala Chai or 'spiced tea. A warm cup of authentic Indian Masala Chai, prepared with aromatic spices and ginger, to refresh and brighten your day and help you relieve cold, cough or even sore throat.

MASALA CHAI 

Ingredients: Bring water to a boil. Crush cloves, cardamom, peppercorn & cinnamon stick in a hand pestle or spice blender. Add it to boiling water along with crushed ginger and tea powder. Boil for about 2 to 3 minutes on a low to medium flame.

Enjoy with your family and friends!