Spicing Up Your Pantry: Must-Have Chukde Authentic Indian Spices For Every Home Chef

Whether it is an everyday home meal, no fire-cooked food, sweet delights, or deep-fried savoury snacks, whole spices are the soul of Indian cuisine. It enriches the food with the desired texture, flavour, colour, aroma, and health benefits. A home pantry lacking must-have Indian spices is the biggest disappointment for every home chef. If you are a new cooking enthusiast excited to try the variety of Indian dishes, you must stock up your pantry with the essential Indian spices listed in this blog.

The Must-Have Indian Spices for Every Home Chef

Authentic Indian spices mainly vary in three categories, i.e., whole spices, blended spices, and ground spices. Although some spices are only a special addition to particular dishes to maximise the flavour, aroma, and presentation, some spices complete the Indian food. Following are the Indian spices you must stock up in your pantry:

• Turmeric: Turmeric is one of the most essential authentic Indian spices. Turmeric powder has an earthly essence and pepper-like flavour with a bit of bitterness. Without turmeric, Indian savoury and salty food looks pale and tasteless. Its yellow colour, flavour, and strong aroma are what make Dal, Kadai Paneer, Pav Bhaji, Curry, and almost every Indian dish delicious. It is popular in Indian households for its health benefits as well. Turmeric milk is known for wound healing and pain relief. It is helpful in arthritis pain relief, depression issues, and heart disease prevention.
• Mustard seeds: The black mustard seeds, a tempering essential, are used in almost every Indian dish, whether veg or non-veg. It has a strong flavour and mild aroma. It contains vitamins C and K, thiamin, riboflavin, and folic acid. Its properties are known for their antimicrobial, antioxidant, and blood sugar-controlling effects.
• Garam masala: Garam masala is a blend of several whole spices, such as cinnamon, peppercorns, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, cardamom, mace, cloves, and fennel seeds in various quantities. It is the king ingredient in spicy dishes. In addition, it aids in weak digestion and gastrointestinal tract issues.
• Red chilli powder: Red chilli powder adds an eye-pleasing red colour and heat to food, along with the spicy flavour. It is a versatile spice used in cooking, seasoning, shakes, marination, etc. Moreover, it is a rich source of vitamins C and B, beneficial in weight loss, digestion, and heart health.
• Asafoetida: Asafoetida has a flavour similar to a blend of garlic and onion. It is one of the most unique and essential parts of authentic Indian spices. It is mostly used in vegetarian dishes, like dal and curry. In addition, it contains Antibacterial, antifungal, and anticancer properties.
• Cumin seeds: Cumin seeds are another essential ingredient of everyday Indian dishes, chutney, raita, and snacks. It is used for post-cooking tempering and during cooking as well. It gives a rich, nutty flavour to food. Cumin seeds have anti-diabetes, weight loss, and cholesterol-controlling agents.
• Ground coriander seeds: Ground coriander seeds bless the food with a tint of earthly and citrusy flavour. It is also used as a sprinkler for seasoning. It improves digestion and may aid in weight loss.
• Cinnamon: Cinnamon is a globally famous spice used in a variety of salty, spicy, and sweet dishes. It is used in a lot of baked goods as well. It has many health benefits, including its effectiveness against fungal infections.
• Cardamom: Indian sweet dishes are incomplete without the delightful flavour and aroma of cardamom. It makes Indian Masala chai even tastier. Cardamom is used as a mouth freshener.

Wrapping Up