The deliciousness and fragrance of Indian food is what the entire world yearns for. The most important reason for the uniqueness of the Indian food culture is the incredible contribution of Indian spices that complete every recipe while also making it ordinary. There are some spices without which no cook can afford to prepare any dish. Let’s have a look at 4 of the most popular Indian spices that give every dish a spicy twist with their tantalizing aromas, tangy flavors and vibrant colors.
1) Coriander
Coriander is one of the oldest spices in the world and is a mandatory ingredient in every Indian kitchen rack. Its ground seeds are mainly roasted till they dry out to give a brownish tinge. It is very much amusing to see these seeds popping out as soon as they are dropped into the hot pan with oil. Cooking is near to impossible without this ground seeds. Plus, they add absolute deliciousness to any recipe you cook.
2) Garam Masala
Garam masala is the most inseparable ingredient in Indian cooking. Be it chicken tandoori or hyderabadi biryani or chicken curry or egg curry, this Indian spice adds the perfect flavor to these recipes. A small pinch of garam masala is enough to create magic and turning any bland dish to a tangy and spicy one. This spice must be added in the end only once the recipe is almost cooked. This way the fragrance and strong flavor of this staple Indian spice can be retained and your taste buds will get a super-relishing experience.
3) Cumin
One of the strongest spices and the key ingredient in any kind of curry prepared in India, cumin is light brown in color and is slightly bitter to taste. It is commonly known as "Jeera" and blends well with most of the other spices just to give Indian curries a smoky note and the perfect proportion of deliciousness. It pleases your mind with an intense aroma and strong essence, making every dish absolutely irresistible.
4) Mustard seeds
Mustard seeds are also one of the common spices in almost every cuisine around the globe and they are categorized in 3 types based on their colors - Black, yellow, and white. Black seeds are most used in Indian cooking and are the strongest in flavor amongst the three, thanks to their peppery flavor, which bursts when tossed in the hot oil pan. Mustard seeds are ideal for preparing soups and vegetable curries, especially in North Indian meals.
Many other spices like biryani masala, chole masala, egg masala, etc. are made from exciting spice mixes. Spices are the keys to every Indian culinary, whether they’re dried, roasted or processed. They are packed and traded in the markets and grocery stores all around the world. Above are some of the most refreshing and essential spices in Indian cooking that are sure to be found in all Indian kitchens.