Asafoetida

Asafoetida or hing makes Indian cuisine aromatic.  It has a distinct flavor.  Moreover, it has long been known for the health benefits it has to offer. It has a prominent place in home remedies.

Black Pepper

Black pepper is often referred as “king of spice” and is a well-known spice since ancient times.  It is a perennial vine and climber that requires supporting tree to grow in height.

Cardamom

There are three types of cardamom; green, black and Madagascar.  Cardamom is found in the form of a small pods with seeds inside.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is a spice obtained from the inner bark of cinnamon tree.  This is used in both sweet and savory foods.  It is packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.

Cloves

Cloves are the unopened pink flower buds of the evergreen clove tree. The buds are picked by hand when they are pink and dried until they turn brown in color. 

Coriander

The fruit of the coriander plan contains two seeds which, when dried, are yellowish-brown in color with longitudinal ridges. 

Cumin Seeds

Cumin is the dried seed.  Cumin seeds resemble caraway seeds, being oblong in shape, longitudinally ridged, and yellow brown in color.

Curry Leaf

Curry leaves are the leaves of the curry tree, scientifically known as Murraya koenigii Spreng and it belongs to the Rutaceae family. The plant is native to India and is usually found in tropical and subtropical regions.

Fennel Seeds

Fennel is a perennial herb belonging to the parsley family.  It has a concentrated source of minerals like copper, potassium, calcium, zinc, manganese, vitamin c, iron, and magnesium.

Fenugreek Seeds

Fenugreek seeds are tiny, bitter seeds of herb fenugreek.  Also, the leaf of this plant is used as a vegetable.  They exhibit strong aromatic flavor.

Mustard Seeds

All parts of the mustard plant are edible, including the seeds.  In India these seeds are black and brown in color.

Saffron

Saffron is the dried threads of the flower of the Crocus Sativus plant.  These stigmas are hand cultivated and harvested.  Thus, making it the most expensive spices. 

Tamarind

Tamarind is a very large tree with long, heavy drooping branches with dense foliage.  The pods hang on the branches and are brown in color.

Garlic

Garlic is an herb that is related to onion, leeks and chives.  It is low in calories and has medicinal value.  Garlic produces a chemical called allicin, which seems to work for certain conditions.

Ginger

This is a root, similar to turmeric.  Ginger contains water, proteins, fats, carbohydrate minerals, iron, iodine.  It contains gingerol, a substance with medicinal properties. 

Onion

The onion, known scientifically as Allium cepa, is red, yellow, white skinned bulb. It has intense flavor and has significant health […]

Red Pepper

There are many, many varieties of chili peppers, and they often have different names depending on region.  The substances that give chili peppers their intensity is Capsaicin.  They are rich in various vitamins and minerals.

Ajwain Seeds (carom seeds)

Ajwain is a member of the cumin, dill or caraway family.  This is a grayish- green seed and has a strong smell.  When chewed it tastes hot and bitter.  When crushed they have a strong thyme like fragrance. 

Turmeric

Turmeric is a part of the ginger family.  The root contains yellow colored chemical called curcumin.  It is anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Neem

Neem or margosa is a fast-growing tree.  Nearly all parts of the neem tree are useful and plays an important role in diseases prevention.

Honey – Nature’s skin care cosmetic

Honey is a bee-derived, supersaturated solution composed mainly of fructose and glucose, and containing proteins and amino acids, vitamins, enzymes, […]

The Origins of Yoga

Yoga is one of the 6 major systems on orthodox (aastika) Vedic philosophy — Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Samkhya, Yoga, Mīmāṃsā and […]