Cooking with spices and herbs has been done since ancient times. Nowadays they are revolutionizing modern food preparation. Not just for adding unique flavors to our food, Spices, and herbs even add color and variety as well. In fact, several spices and herbs can replace or reduce salt and sugar in foods. They are packed with nutrients and some spices and herbs can be used as alternative medicine as well. Most spices, are dry-roasted and ground to release their essential oils before being ground into spice mixes.

Here is a list of different spices and herbs and how to use them in cooking!

Herb and Spice Guide

Cardamom

Green cardamom can be blended whole when making spice mixes, like Garam masala. It is also used for flavoring lassis to Indian desserts. Cardamom flavor is light and sweet, with a mild eucalyptus note

Clove

Clove has a strong, almost medicinal flavor that comes from the concentration of essential oils. A common spice used in Indian cooking, Cloves can be used whole or blended into spice mixes.

Ginger

It is often consumed fresh, dried, and in its oil or powdered form. The pungent and spicy flavor complements Indian, Arabian & Chinese cuisine. Ginger cleanses the palate and is used in herbal teas.

Mint

The refreshing herb Mint is mostly used to flavor fruit blends, chicken and Mutton dishes, sweets, etc. Along with its value in numerous recipes, Mint also has an extensive number of health benefits. 

Black pepper

Black pepper is used extensively in Indian cooking. It needs to be toasted before blending. For the best flavor, however, fresh black pepper can also be ground directly into dishes.

Allspice

It has the flavors of Cinnamon, Cloves, Nutmeg, and Pepper. Used in its ground or whole form, allspice flavors both desserts, and savory dishes.

Basil

Basil has a sweet and earthy aroma and is one of the most commonly used herbs in the kitchen. Basil pairs well with a number of meat dishes, vegetables, and soups.

Nutmeg and mace

Mace is the dark-red outer covering of the Nutmeg & both are used a lot in Indian cooking. Fresh nutmeg is processed by removing the pulpy outside and sliding off the mace. Nutmeg does not need to be toasted before blending into spices.

There are many more spices and herbs that need mention which is important in cooking. To get fresh organic spices online and herbs, get in touch with us at SpiceMunnar – Online shopping for spices, pickles, beverages, dry fruits.