Guide spices: 9 exotic spices from India

Indian food - it is a delightful mixture of feelings: tantalizing flavors, bright colors and, of course, the sharpness of sweetness and flavor. The key of success and the foundation of Indian dishes is a proper use of spices and herbs.

We decided to make a brief guide to commonly used exotic spices, which add warmth and richness to any dish.

1. Turmeric

India is the largest producer of turmeric, which belongs to the ginger family and is the heart and soul of Indian curry dishes. Spezia has a bright, saturated yellow and musky, slightly bitter taste.

Features: turmeric - absolute queen of spices in terms of health benefits. For example, curcumin, which is part of turmeric, and gives it a bright shade of yellow in color, has a strong antiseptic and anti-inflammatory action, fights free radicals, stimulates the brain and helps reduce the risk of brain diseases, including Alzheimer's disease. It improves digestion, so the dishes with turmeric is also recommended for those who want to normalize your weight.

What combination: you can add it to the meat and vegetable dishes, hot broths, soups and stews: the spice does not lose its properties during heat treatment. Try not to add too much turmeric, otherwise the food will taste bitter.

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2. Pepper Java

Pepper Java - a close relative of black pepper, can successfully replace it in cooking. However, it should be borne in mind that he has a tangy and sweet taste, so it needs to be added in smaller amounts.

Features: Pepper Java cleanses the body, helping to eliminate toxins from the intestines, and speeds up the metabolism. It stimulates brain activity, calms the nervous system and improves sleep. Also pepper strengthens the immune system is fighting with bronchial diseases, softens the throat and reduces the appearance of dry cough and rhinitis. What combination: peppers are added to soups, meat and fish dishes, vegetable salads and marinades.

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3. Cardamom

Cardamom - the third one is the most expensive spice in the world, growing in the Malabar region of India. It has a refreshing aroma with citrus notes and can be used in sweet and savory dishes in.

Features: cardamom - a rich source of vitamins and minerals such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, iron, vitamins C and B. It has beneficial effects on the nervous system, removing stress and stress. It stimulates brain function and activates the body's protective function, normalizes the process of digestion, and cardiovascular system, improves blood circulation in the body.

What combination: cardamom is used for making sweet desserts, sweet pastries and pie fillings. It improves the taste of sauces, gravies, marinades, refreshing and hot drinks. It goes well with stews and vegetables, potatoes, roasted chickpeas, curry, rice and milk pudding.

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4. The pink salt

Pink salt is considered to be the most useful and clean. It does not contain toxins and is environmentally friendly source of minerals such as potassium, magnesium, calcium and iodine. They give the salt a pink hue.

Features: pink salt is not only bright, saturated colors but also sweet and salty taste. It helps to reduce blood pressure, removes waste products and toxins from the body, boosts immunity, purifies the intestines and improves metabolism.

What combination: pink salt is added to various dishes. It is widely used as a seasoning for meat, fish and vegetables. However, it has the ability to suppress bitterness, thereby enhancing sweet notes. Add a pinch of salt into a sweet dessert, you will create a contrast of sweet and salty, so it is ideal for the preparation of salty caramel, crunchy pastries, chocolate or ice cream. Order pink salt

5. Lemon Grass

Lemongrass, also known as lemongrass used in cooking dish to impart a citrus flavor. It is a tall, perennial grass that grows in India and tropical regions of Asia.

Features: lemongrass strengthens the nervous system, cleanses the body of toxins and improves digestion, reduces headaches and cold symptoms, prevents the formation of blood clots. Positive effect on the skin: tones, prevents the formation of facial wrinkles, reduce inflammation and fighting acne.

What combination: lemon grass may be added to marinades, vegetable and fish dishes to give a fragrant lemon notes. Also, it is often used for the preparation of soft drinks and vitamin teas. For a fragrant herbal tea need to pour 1-2 teaspoons of spice with hot water and infuse for 5-7 minutes. You can add honey or sugar syrup for sweetness.

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6. Adzhvan

It's bitter, but the hot spices, the taste is similar to oregano, which is due to the strong spicy flavor in India are often added to curries and savory.

Features: adzhvan use in case of problems with the stomach and poor appetite, for the treatment of diseases of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, reduce headaches and accelerate metabolism.

What combination: because of the spicy, tangy taste, adzhvan goes well with vegetables, meat and seafood. Do not forget to wash your hands after use, as the rest of the skin spice particles can get into the eyes or on mucous membrane of the nose and cause irritation.

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7. Amchur

Amchur, also called mango powder is a fruit of the Indian spices manufactured from the dried immature fruits mango. It has a spicy aroma and a sweet and sour fruit flavors.

Features: amchur contains anti-oxidants, a lot of nutrients, including vitamins A, E and C, and is used for the preparation of Ayurvedic medicines. La Spezia is also rich in iron, so it is very useful for pregnant women. It improves the immune and digestive systems of the body, it stimulates detoxification, and is also very useful for the skin and hair. It is believed that amchur also stabilizes blood pressure, prevent the development of heart disease and eye disease.

What combination: dried mangoes can be used in all dishes to add a sweet-sour tone. It is suitable for salads and soups to vegetables and meats, baked goods, puddings and cheese desserts. Also because it is possible to prepare a refreshing drink by dissolving in a glass of water 1/3 teaspoon of spice.

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8. Saffron

Known as most expensive spice on the ground, saffron is actually made from the dried stigmas of the flowers purple crocus seed. Incredibly high price of saffron is due to a huge amount of labor needed for the production of spices collected manually. Slightly bitter taste saffron characterized spicy flavor, which can vary from earthy to sweet floral.

Features: saffron is used to treat depression, apathy and irritability. Spice also helps strengthen the heart muscle and blood vessels, improve vision, to normalize pressure, purify the blood and liver of toxins and pollutants. What combination: to add spice to the dish to be very careful to avoid the sharp aroma and bitter taste. Overdose of saffron can cause poisoning or death, so on one dish should be taken only 3-4 stigmas. Saffron combined with almost all dishes: prepare him meat, fish, vegetables and mushrooms. It is also added to soups, rice dishes, sauces and even baked goods.

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All these spices you can order online Indian store "PH". Here is the widest range of products among Russian shops with Indian themes. On the site you will find natural cosmetics, foods, beverages and sweets from India, cooking oils, spices and sauces, teas and spices, ayurvedic books and souvenirs. The store provides a cumulative system of discounts for regular customers. If for some reason you did not accept the goods, the store will take it back.