Unique Spices For Indian Kitchen: If you are asked about spices, what is a spice? So you will say what kind of question is this! Masala is just a spice, yes its varieties are different. You are right but not completely! Because its complete answer is, ‘The spice is prepared from the bark, buds, leaves, flowers, fruits and roots of different trees. It is named after the quality of the spice or after the name of its plant. Spices are not only pungent in taste but are also sweet and astringent. Like, fennel and dry ginger.
Our country is the only country in the world where maximum number of spices are used. In any other culture, hardly anyone’s kitchen is full of spices, as many spices are there in the kitchen of every Indian house. But still here you will get to know the names of some such spices, which you have hardly heard before… So let’s start…
Allspice
By the name of Allspice, don’t think that we are talking about a mix of all spices here, rather Allspice is a special spice in itself, which smells of three different spices. It has the smell of clove, nutmeg and cinnamon. This spice is also known as Jamaica pepper.
Sichuan pepper
Apart from the name, Sichuan pepper has no other connection with black pepper. Its taste, color and plant are different, as well as its feel is also different. It is mainly a Chinese spice and it is mostly used in Chinese dishes only.
Chinese five spice
It is a powdered spice, which is prepared by mixing five different spices. Like we prepare garam masala here. Chinese five spice is mostly used in Chinese dishes. It is prepared by adding star anise, fennel, cloves, Sichuan peppercorns and cinnamon.
Thyme Spice
Thyme spice is prepared by drying a plant named Thymus vulgaris. This is a sound. It is mainly used for fragrance in different types of cuisine. If we talk about dishes, then it is used in roasted meat, fish, food prepared by baking method.
Nagoda (Tarragon Spice)
Nagoda is a special kind of spice, which increases the taste and aroma of food, and at the same time it is also used as a medicine to cure different diseases. Tarragon spice has been used for those with loss of appetite, nausea, for faster healing after surgery, for sleep problems, and for quick relief from toothaches.
It is used in the kitchen for making pickles, preparing mustard chutney or other dishes and making sauces etc. Also, it is used as an optional spice in different recipes made of fish, meat, soup, egg or tomato.
Paprika
Paprika is a spice prepared by mixing different types of chillies. All different types of chillies are dried to prepare it. The chilies used in its preparation mainly include dry red chilies and dried capsicum. While choosing chilies for paprika spice, special care is taken that the chilies should be as thin as possible.
Paprika is used in food more for color than taste. It is mainly used in making sauces and making cream based food items. Apart from adding bright colour, it also enhances the soft sweet taste of dishes. It is mostly used in making Italian sauce.
Star Spice (Anise)
Star spice is a Chinese herb. It is used for fragrance, taste and color. Star Spice is also a famous name in the world of essential oils. Because its oil is used as a fragrance as well as a pain killer. In the kitchen it is often used in soups, stews and braising broths. Also, people like to use it while making pulao in Indian homes.
Disclaimer: The information given in this article is based on the data available on Google, facts obtained from different research sites.
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