Spices
Many times we get questions about what spices we put in our food. It is our spices helps us achieve the unglue flavor of our dishes and sets our food above the rest. Below is a list of spices used in traditional Indian dishes. As you review this list you can understand how Indian food displays such an array of complex flavors. Many spices will be very familiar to you, but be sure to notice the Indian common name.
| Indian Common Name | English Name | Hindi Name | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adrak | Ginger | अदरक | |
| Aamchur/Amchoor powder | Sour Mango powder | आमचूर | |
| Achar | Indian Pickle | अचार | |
| Ajmud | RadhuniCelery / seed | अज्मुद | |
| Ajmoda | Parsley | अजमोदा | |
| Ajwain | seedCarom | अज़वाइन | |
| Amla | Indian gooseberry | आँवला | |
| Anardana | Pomegranate seed | अनारदाना | |
| Bazil | spice powder | बाजील | |
| Badam | Almond | बादाम | |
| Choti Elaichi | Green cardamom | छोटी इलाइची | |
| Badi Elaichi | Black cardamom | बड़ी इलाइची | |
| Chakra Phool | Star anise | चक्र फूल | |
| Chironji | Charoli | चिरोंजी | |
| Camiki | Mango extract | कामिकी | |
| Dalchini | Cinnamon | दालचीनी | |
| Dhania | Coriander seed | धनिया | |
| Garam Masala | Spice mixture | गरम मसाला | |
| Gulab Jal | Rose water | गुलाब जल | |
| Gur | Unrefined Sugar (Jaggery) | गुड़ | |
| Haldi | Turmeric | हल्दी | |
| Hari dhaniya | Coriandergreen | हरी धनिया | |
| Harad / hime | Terminalia chebula | हरद | |
| Hari Mirch | Green Chili | हरी मिर्च | |
| Dhania powder/ Pisa Dhania | Coriander powder | धनिया पावडर/पिसा धनिया | |
| Hing | Asafoetida | हींग | |
| Imli | Tamarind | इमली | |
| Jaiphal | Nutmeg | जैफल | |
| Javitri | Mace | जावित्री | |
| Jeera | Cumin seed | ज़ीरा | |
| Jeera Goli | Cumin seed grounded into balls | ज़ीरा गोली | |
| Jethimadh | Licorice powder | जेठीमध | |
| Kachra | Capers | कचरा, कब्र, करेर | |
| Kadipatta | >Curry Tree or Sweet Neem leaf | करीपत्ता / कदिपत्ता | |
| Kaju | >Cashewnut | काजू | |
| Kala Namak / Sanchal | Black salt | काला नमक / संचल | |
| Kali Elaichi | Black Cardamom | काली इलाइची | |
| Kali Mirchi | Black pepper | काली मिर्च | |
| Kalonji | Nigella seed | कालोंजी | |
| Kasoori Methi Dried | | कसूरी मेथी |
| |
| Katira Goond | Tragacanth Gum | कटीरा गूंद | |
| Kebab Cheeni | >Allspice | कॅबाब चीनी | |
| Kesar, Zaafraan | Saffron | केसर, जाफरान | |
| Kesar miri miri | Saffron pulp | केसर मिरी मिरी, குங்குமப்பூ | |
| Khajur | Dates | खज़ूर, খেজুর | |
| Kokum | Garcinia indica | कोकम, பேரீச்சம்பழம் | |
| Khus Khus | Poppy seed | खस खस | |
| Kudampuli | Garcinia gummi-gutta | कोकम | |
| Lahsun | Garlic | लहसुन | |
| Lal Mirchi | >Red Chilli | लाल मिर्ची | |
| Lavang | Cloves | लवाँग | |
| Kali Mirch | Peppercorns | काली मिर्च | |
| Methi leaves | Fenugreek leaf | मेथी पत्ता | |
| Methi seeds | Fenugreek seed | मेथी सीड्स | |
| Naaga Keshar | नागा केशर | ||
| Namak | Salt | नमक | |
| Nimbu | Lime | नींबू | |
| Pudina | Mint | पुदीना | |
| Pyaz / Ganda | Onion | प्याज़ / गांडा | |
| Panch Phoron | पञ्च फोरों | ||
| Pathar Ka Phool | Black Stone Flower | पत्थर के फूल | |
| Pippali | Long pepper | पिप्पलि | |
| Peeli Mirchi | Yellow Pepper | पीली मिर्ची | |
| Rai | Black Mustard Seed | राइ | |
| Ratin jot | Alkanet root | रातीं जोट | |
| Safed Mirchi | White Pepper | सफ़ेद मिर्च | |
| Saji na phool | Citric acid | सजी न फूल | |
| Sarson | mustard seed | सरसो, | |
| Sarson Tel | Mustard oil | सरसो तेल | |
| Saunf/Sanchal | Fennel seed | सौंफ / संचल | |
| Shahi Jeera | Black cumin seed | शाही जीरा | |
| Sirka | Vinegar | सिरका | |
| Soa sag | Dill | सोया साग | |
| Sonth | Dried ginger | सोंठ | |
| Suwa or Shopa | Aniseed | सुव्वा / शोप | |
| Taj | Cinnamon | ताज | |
| Tartri | Citric acid | तरतरी | |
| Tej Patta | Bay Leaf | तेज पत्ता | |
| Til | Sesame seed | तिल | |
| Shimla Mirch | Capsicum | शिमला मिर्च | |
| Tulsi | Holy Basil | तुल्सी |
