GRACE - ET

Authentic Indian Spices

As Spices form some of the most important commercial crops in India, it has the distinstion of being "The Home of Spices". Spices are strongly flavored substances obtained from tropical plants, and are the most important ingredient in an Indian cuisine, and this has made Indian food extremly popular among people across the world. While a wide variety of spices are produced in India, the Indian state of Kerala is the leading producer.

Spices are normaly dried seeds, fruits, roots, barks or substances obtained from plants. They are dried and ground or grated into powder. Small seeds, such as fennel and mustard seeds are used whole or in powder form.They are used in very small quantities as additives for flavoring food. While Spices enhances the taste of food, some are also considered to be good for health. They contain calcium, iron, vitamin B, vitamin C, carotene and other antioxidants.

Indian spices release their flavors while cooking in hot oil. They are heated in pans using cooking oil or ghee, to bring out their flavor, and are added to the food being prepared. Certain spices are used for other purposes also. They are used in medicine, religious rituals, preperation of cosmetics and perfumes and even as vegetables . For example, turmeric and garlic are not only used as preservatives and medicines, but are also used as vegetables.