|
Spices are much more than simple seasoning for your food. They contain qualities that affect your wellbeing and physical appearance. A basic Indian pantry starts with green cardamom, chilies, cinnamon, clove, coriander, cumin, fennel, fenugreek, kari leaves, nigella, mustard, saffron, tamarind, and turmeric. While you already may know how these spices compliment your cuisine in various manners, it is also interesting to see how they affect your body and health in different ways. Here’s CitySaheli’s pick of spices that add flavor to your food and your soul!
Green Cardamom
Molded cardamom seeds are similar in taste to eucalyptus and lemon. It is often used in sweets and dairy-based drinks. This popular spice is beneficial on two levels; it stimulates digestion and refreshes your breath!
Chilies
Besides making your food burning hot, red and green chilies contain a significant amount of vitamin A and C. They are also known to facilitate digestion and prevent dehydration by stimulating the sweat glands.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a favorite in desserts and drinks because of its sweet, mild and delicate flavor. Grown in Sri Lanka, China and South India, this aromatic spice is warming and stimulating. Its antiseptic qualities are useful when you have a mild cold and don’t feel like taking prescription drugs.
Cloves
This dry flower has a strong aromatic, sweet taste and is often used in chutneys and teas. Its oil is antiseptic, cleansing and capable of alleviating tooth pain, while the dry form of clove is warming, good for digestion and effective against colds.
Coriander
Coriander is to Indian cuisine what parsley is to Scandinavian cooking and basil is to Italian gastronomy. Besides being easy to grow and convenient to use in all kinds of dishes, Coriander stimulates digestion and has a cooling effect on the body.
Cumin
These seeds have a very rich, warm and mild flavor with a smoky aroma that works wonders in dal soups and raitas. A native East Indian spice, Cumin is said to treat anything from a common cold to acute stomach problems!
Fennel
Fennel tastes a little bit like licorice and is often used in Kashmiri, Punjabi and Bengali gastronomy. It is equally common to chew some fennel along with grated coconut after a meal to benefit from its digestive and gas reducing qualities.
Fenugreek
This green plant is turned into a slightly bitter spice best used in salads, soups and veggie dishes. Don’t roast the seeds too long or they will become dreadfully bitter. Fenugreek is known for its warming and absorptive qualities.
Kari leaves
Kari, actually an herb and not a spice, has a balmy aroma similar to that of lime. The leaves are used fresh and are very common in South Indian cooking, while the molded version is a key ingredient in masala powders. Kari leaves are said to be good antioxidants as well as a secret to healthy and long hair!
Nigella
The pepper-like flavor of these black seeds is released when fried, usually in ghee or oil. Nigella is best used in pickles and pakora doughs and is famous for reducing blood pressure and flatulence. Supposedly elephants eat them to ease digestion!
Mustard
Mustard seeds are common ingredients in Indian food, but they can also be turned into oil and used for massage! Its digestive value should not be overrated as too much of this brown paste can cause headaches.
Saffron
Saffron is grown in Kashmir, Spain, Portugal, and China. The expensive “King of Spices,” which is mainly used to color and flavor desserts and rice dishes, is sweet, cool and somewhat potent.
Tamarind
Tamarind’s brown and juicy fruit pulp is often thrown into sauces, chutneys and stews to give them a bittersweet taste. This spice cools the body, helps with digestion and is good for the heart!
Turmeric
While this wood scented, yellow colored spice doesn’t really influence the flavor of a dish, it adds a nice nuance to rice and soups. Turmeric is also famous for its cleansing and warming qualities, along with its capacity to help digestion of protein-heavy meals like paneer.
Looking for a great place to find these spices? CitySaheli picks:
Curry Hill’s own spice store Kalustyan has over 500 different types of seasonings to choose from and includes a wide array of mixes and blends. Prices range from $8 to $70 depending on the size of the jar.
103 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY
(212) 685 3451
Below the kitschy and wallet-friendly restaurant Panna II lives its spice store. While the selection is not as plentiful as at Kalustyan, it offers a good, convenient alternative to East Village locals.
93 1st Avenue
New York, NY
(212) 598 4610
| 
