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Home » Tips & Tricks » Indian Spices List

Published on January 13, 2019 | Last updated on September 2, 2020 | By Harshad Leave a Comment

Indian Spices List

When you talk about our traditional food, the first thing that comes in mind is the variety of Indian spices.

There are so many types of spices available in India that it’s difficult to remember them all at once.

We use them in pretty much everything.

Indian Spices on a chopped board

And that’s not the end!

We’ve also started using Indian spices in global cuisines.

For eg.,

Most of the Chinese food served in India today is nothing but the Indianized versions of Chinese delicacies.

Similarly, the chefs have transformed many continental dishes through different cooking techniques and traditional spices.

But I am not complaining here.

You probably won’t get so many choices of food in other countries or cultures.

And that’s the beauty of India!

However, if you are new to cooking or just starting your journey in the professional world, you might get confused with the spices and their uses in different cuisines.

Hence, I’m going to share a comprehensive list of Indian spices names and their uses in the following table.

So, let’s get started!

Indian Spices List

English NamesHindi NamesUses
AsafoetidaHingUsed in Masalas, Curries, Snacks, Rice preparations
Bay LeafTej PattaUsed in Masalas, Curries, Snacks, Rice preparations
Black CardamomBadi ElaichiUsed in Masalas, Curries, Snacks, Rice preparations
Black PepperKali MirchMostly used in Masalas and Rice preparations
Caraway SeedsShahi JeeraUsed in Masalas, Curries, Snacks, Rice preparations
Carom SeedsAjwainUsed in Masalas, Curries, Snacks
CassiaCassia/DalchiniUsed in Masalas, Curries, Snacks, Rice preparations
Charoli NutsChironji/CharoliUsed in Masalas and Sweets
CinnamonDalchiniUsed in Masalas, Curries, Snacks, Rice preparations
Coriander SeedsDhaniyaUsed in mix Masalas and Curries
ClovesLaungUsed in Masalas, Curries, Snacks, Rice preparations
CubebKabab ChiniUsed in Masalas, Curries, and Medicines
CuminJeeraUsed in Spicy Indian Curries and Rice preparations
Curry LeavesKadipattaUsed in Masalas, Curries, Snacks, Rice preparations
Dried Fenugreek LeavesKasuri MethiUsed in Curries
Dried GingerSoonthUsed in Medicines and Masalas
Dry Coconut Sukha KopraUsed in Masalas/Pastes
Dry Mango PowderAmchoorUsed in Masalas, Curries, Snacks, Rice preparations
Fennel SeedsSaunfUsed in Masalas, Curries, Snacks, Rice preparations
Flax SeedsAlsiUsed in Juices and Salads
GingerAdrakUsed in Masalas, Curries, Snacks, Rice preparations
Green CardamomElaichiUsed in Masalas, Curries, Snacks, Rice preparations, and Sweets
Ground NutsSingdanaUsed in Curries, Chutneys and Sweets
Holy BasilTulsiUsed in Herbal Medicines, Ayurveda Medicines, and Masalas
Fenugreek SeedsMethi DanaUsed in Masalas, Curries, Snacks
Four Seeds (Watermelon, Pumpkin, Almond and Cantaloupe)CharmagazUsed in Curries and Sweets
Garcinia IndicaKokumUsed in Indian coastal curries and juices
GarlicLehsunUsed in Masalas, Curries, Snacks, Rice preparations
Green ChiliesHari MirchUsed in Masalas, Curries, Snacks, Rice preparations
Indian GooseberryAmla/AwlaUsed in Curries, Medicines
Liquorice Sticks JethimadhUsed in Masalas and Medicines
MaceJavitriUsed in Masalas, Rice preparations
Mesua FerreaNagkesarUsed in Masalas
MintPudinaUsed in Masalas, Curries, Snacks, Rice preparations
Mustard SeedsRai/SarsonUsed in Curries, Snacks, Rice preparations
Nigella SeedsKalonjiUsed in Indian flatbreads, Curries, Snacks
NutmegJaiphalUsed in Masalas, Curries, Snacks, Rice preparations, and Sweets
Pine Nuts ChilgozeUsed in Masalas, Curries, Snacks
Pomegranate SeedsAnaardanaUsed in Masalas, Curries, Snacks, Rice preparations
Poppy SeedsKhas-khasUsed in Masalas
RaisinsKishmishUsed in Curries, Rice preparations, and Sweets
Red ChiliesLal MirchUsed in Masalas, Curries, Snacks, Rice preparations
Rock Salt Kala Namak/Saindha NamakMostly used in Juices and Salads
SaffronKesarUsed in Masalas, Curries, Snacks, Rice preparations, and Sweets
Sesame SeedsTilUsed in Curries, Snacks, Indian flatbreads, Sweets
Sichuan Pepper Teppal/Triphal Used in Curries
Star AniseChakri PhoolUsed in Masalas, Curries, Snacks, Rice preparations
Stone FlowerDagad Phool/Patthar PhoolMostly used in Masalas
TamarindImliUsed in Curries, Chutneys, Rice preparations
TurmericHaldiUsed in Masalas, Curries, Snacks, Rice preparations, and Sweets
Tea LeafChai PattiUsed in Indian teas
White PepperSafed MirchUsed in Masalas
White VinegarSirkaUsed in Curries and Indo-Chinese dishes

So, what’s your favorite spice? Do let me know in the comments section below.

Most Used Indian Masalas

Indian masalas (a blend of different whole spices) are quite popular in instant cooking as well as traditional cooking.

For those who don’t know, here are some of the most used Masalas in Indian kitchens –

  1. Garam Masala
  2. Sabzi Masala
  3. Pav Bhaji Masala
  4. Chole Masala
  5. Chicken Masala (sometimes referred to as Sunday Masala)
  6. Mutton Masala
  7. Fish Curry Masala
  8. Biryani Masala
  9. Tandoori Masala
  10. Chai Spices (Chai Masala)

Tips To Use Spices In Indian Cooking

There are certain spices that need to be used carefully.

If you use them excessively, you will have to run and find something sweet to eat.

And if you use them sparingly, you won’t get the taste and flavor in your dishes.

So, here are some of the tips that you can use to utilize the spices in your daily cooking –

  1. Always follow the right recipe. Do not add spices by instinct or someone’s advice if you’ve just started experimenting in the kitchen.
  2. Use fresh spices so that you can get the maximum flavor out of them.
  3. Store the spices in an air-tight container. It will help them prevent from moisture as well as bugs.
  4. Roast the spices before using them. If you’ve some extra time to prepare the recipe, you can dry-roast the spices on medium heat. It helps in releasing the spice flavors. Note: Do not roast them for long, as the spices may turn black and will taste bitter in your recipes.
  5. Use Desi Ghee to balance the taste of overly spiced Biryanis and Curries.

Do you have any other tips for beginners? Share them in the comments section.

Filed Under: Tips & Tricks

About Harshad

Namaste!

My name is Harshad, and I am the chef, editor, and tech-support guy at SproutMonk.com.

I LOVE food, and I share my tried & tested recipes, useful tips, and guides on the blog.

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