| Spices and Indian cuisine go hand in hand. The | | | | India produces more spices than any other |
| traditional Indian curry is seasoned with an array of | | | | country-over 60 different kinds. And it exports spices |
| delicious spices. Some of these flavors appear in | | | | and spice products whole and in powder form to more |
| desserts too, which goes to confirm that `spicy` isn`t | | | | than 160 countries. South India leads in the country's |
| always `hot` in the usual sense. It`s no wonder that in | | | | spice production. Cochin, on the Arabian Sea, provides |
| per capita consumption of spices, India is at the top. | | | | direct access to the spices that have long thrived in |
| Indian cooks use lots of seasonings in varied colors | | | | the lush, tropical climate along the Malabar coast. |
| and shapes. Black mustard seeds; cinnamon; | | | | In the past, black pepper, known as the "king of |
| cardamom; golden turmeric; gingerroot; chilies are | | | | spices," was the initial prize sought by traders. It |
| among the most common. In many countries the | | | | originated in the monsoon forests of the Malabar coast |
| closest you can get to all these spices comes in the | | | | in southwest India. Not only was it a food seasoning |
| form of curry powder, which is a poor substitute for | | | | but it was also a vital preservative for meats and |
| the combinations of spices - called masalas - used in | | | | other perishable foods. By adding spices, foods that |
| India. | | | | would otherwise spoil and be useless could be |
| Depending on the particular dish of foods such as | | | | preserved for a year or more without refrigeration. |
| vegetables, fish, chicken, and red meat, individual spices | | | | More Than Just For Food Flavorings |
| are combined right at cooking time. Even different | | | | Generations of Indian girls have utilized the bright |
| flavors can be extracted from the same spice by | | | | golden root of a plant related to ginger, called turmeric. |
| roasting it, grinding it, dropping it whole into hot oil, or | | | | A turmeric paste is rubbed on the skin for improving its |
| combining it with other seasonings. | | | | condition. Today, the perfume and cosmetics industries |
| Garam masala is a warm and versatile mix of spices | | | | use oils from allspice, caraway, cinnamon, cassia, |
| used in a range of Indian dishes. It isn`t all that hot (in | | | | cloves, nutmeg, mace, rosemary, and cardamom in the |
| the chilli sense), but consists of spices that warm the | | | | blending of volatile and fixed oils to make dozens of |
| body, such as cardamom, cloves and cinnamon. | | | | alluring perfumes. These ingredients are also added to |
| Besides the major division of North Indian and South | | | | soaps, talcum powders, after-shave lotions, colognes, |
| Indian cuisine, the country's regional cultures, such as | | | | mouth fresheners, and countless other items. |
| Bengali, Goan, Gujarati, and Punjabi, have their own | | | | In medicine, spices are also used. Ginger, turmeric, |
| unique preparations. Religious beliefs also affect the | | | | garlic, cardamom, chili, cloves, and saffron are among |
| taste of the food. Thus, in the state of Gujarat, a | | | | the spices recommended by Ayurveda, the science of |
| person might have a traditional Hindu vegetarian meal, | | | | medicine propounded in the Hindu Sanskrit writings, the |
| but in the northern part of India he might enjoy a | | | | Vedas. In many Western lands, Ayurveda is viewed |
| meaty Mogul meal. You could dine on different nights | | | | as an 'alternative medicine' today. An Indian pharmacy |
| with Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Jain, and Christian families may | | | | today will likely stock a turmeric salve for cuts and |
| result in no duplication of meals. | | | | burns, and many other spice products for varying |
| Well Suited to Spices | | | | ailments. |