9 Essential Spices for Indian Cooking!

Indian food is a delicious mix for the senses with a blend of tantalizing aromas, vibrant colours, and of course those spicy, sweet, tangy flavors. But if you aren’t so familiar with the many spices available in India, this cuisine can be very overwhelming. When you take a look at all the requirements to cook most Indian recipes, it’s easy to be put off by the long list of spices required.

That’s one of the reasons everywhere you go in India, every dish will have its own spice. But if you’re looking to cook an Indian meal on your own, you may be wondering where to start.

The key to creating a successful Indian dish using the right spices is not that hard. One of the most important step is mixing them. 

Home cooks shouldn’t be intimidated by that process. Firstly you have to start with cooking them in oil or butter. If you’re trying to be authentic you can even use ghee, which is an Indian clarified butter. This brings out the flavor of the spices and then enhances anything you add to them. And once you’ve stocked up the essentials, you can jump right in and cook fragrant, aromatic dishes with all the subtle, lingering, deep flavors as you dwell in great Indian food.

Here are the nine essential Indian spices you’ll need:

1. Cumin

Many Indian curries call for this strong, aromatic spice. You can find it as seeds or toasted and ground. As for its flavor, people often describe it as warm and earthy as well as slightly bitter just like most Indian spices, it plays well with others.

2. Coriander

The plant’s seeds and leaves feature in Indian cooking as a spice and also a garnish. Described by some as nutty and fruity, coriander seed is a key element in graham masala. It’s believed to settle an upset stomach and be good for digestion as well.

3. Mustard seeds

Mustard flavoring appears in cuisines around the world. Black mustard seeds are stronger in flavour than the yellow or white ones, which are used to make the yellow mustard that’s stocked in many American fridges. There’s also a brown mustard seed. For Indian meals, toss the seeds in a little hot oil until they pop and split, releasing their peppery, rich flavor. Use the oil, with the popped seeds, to flavor soups and vegetables. Put mustard seeds in a tightly sealed container and store them in a dark, cool, dry place.

4. Ginger

Fresh ginger gives delicious, peppery flavor to recipes. If you leave it exposed to room temperature, ginger spoils pretty quickly. Avoid this by wrapping a chunk of peeled ginger root tightly and store it in the freezer; you can grate what you need right into the pot. And let’s not forget what a delight it is when added to tea.

5. Graham masala

This is a blend of spices that vary according to cook and region of India, but it is a staple of Indian cooking. You’ll want to add this to the pan when the recipe is almost finished so the fragrant flavor doesn’t cook off or turn bitter. Graham Masala is considered as India’s finest treasure.

6. Turmeric

This vivid yellow spice gives many Indian dishes their characteristic color. A relative of ginger, the spice is known for its anti-inflammatory properties as well as its valuable work as a flavor and color additive in curries. Turmeric is also commonly used in skincare and beauty.

7. Cinnamon

This spice adds a delicate sweetness to savory recipes as well as desserts. Ceylon cinnamon or true cinnamon, is the real deal, and you pay more for it than for cassia, which is a cheaper relative also known as cinnamon. If you buy supermarket ground cinnamon, you can’t tell which type you’re getting, so it’s good to order from a company that distinguishes between the two.

Cassia has a stronger, spicier flavor. Ceylon cinnamon is credited with being antioxidant-rich and good for reducing cholesterol and stabilizing blood-sugar levels and all that and great taste? It’s a win-win.

8. Cardamom                    

Cardamom is a less is more kind of a spice. Use with caution, or it can mask milder flavors in your dish. This is one spice you should keep in the freezer and it loses its freshness quickly. Alternatively, you can buy whole pods and grind them when a recipe calls for cardamom. Chai, curries, and rice dishes all get a flavor boost from cardamom.

9. Spicy red chili pepper

Various chili peppers rack up the heat in curries; you can adjust quantities to taste. Cayenne pepper is one type of chili pepper that’s easily sourced in supermarkets, but you can also use fresh red chili peppers if you prefer.

India is a country, full of diversity when it comes to culture and people, which further leads to a blend of various tastes. If you are an Indian or have been to various parts of India, you know your taste buds have been treated with all sorts of delicacies. 

You will see a wide range of spices in any Indian kitchen shelf. Spices are a regular feature in every Indian kitchen. These spices not only add tons of taste with a pop of color but also bring in a host of health benefits. Spices add so many health benefits which is why they are often used for medical problems and help in the healing process as well as improvising immunity. Buy Gai Chhap today!

To bring you the freshest possible products, we grind and blend the best available spices and seasonings in-house with utmost cleanliness and hygiene, so that you enjoy the zest and flavor these spices add to your food. Not forgetting all the health benefits they come packed with.

KBM Gai Chaap Masala is India’s leading selling spice brand offering more than 20 variants in spices in their pure form and their blends. We have been accepted and appreciated by millions of homes, not only all across India but also across the world. We have been providing solutions zesty flavor every day to mothers in cooking the tastiest food that suits every diverse palate from the last 49 years. Don’t think twice, buy only the Best quality spices inDelhi today from KBM Gai Chap Masala.