No cuisine is complete without spices. Indian food is a celebration of spices, from curries to Biryani, from Pulao to Daal, spices are the most important ingredient in any recipe. We even use spices in Desserts. Now this lockdown due to covid19 has given a boost to everyone culinary desires. Every one has been trying new recipes they get online. So if you have been finding difficulty understanding the spices listed in the recipe you just downloaded. Here is a list of Indian spices names in Hindi and English
Glossary of some commonly used Indian Spices With Hindi & English Names
| Spice Name in English | Spice Name in English | Spice Image | Use |
| Star Anise | Chakraphool चक्रफूल |  | Aromatic spice used in Rice dishes and masala powders |
| Holy Basil | Tulsi तुलसी |  | Medicinal use in Ayurveda, herbal tea |
| Bay Leaf | Tejpatta तेजपत्ता |  | Aromatic spice in several veg and non veg dishes, used both fresh and dried. |
| Caraway Seeds | Vilayti Jeera, kaala jeera, Syah Jeera, Shah Jeera विलायती जीरा |  | used specifically in Biryani and in certain cake recipes. Caraway seeds were called syaah jeera in Hindi because of its dark color. Syaah was mispronounced over the years and is now referred as shah jeera. |
| Cardamom | Ilaichi इलायची |  | used in veg and non veg rice and curry dishes, it has a great prominence in Indian sweets |
| Cayenne | Lal Mirch लाल मिर्ची का एक प्रकार |  | used in powdered form, it is not a typical Indian spice |
| Celery Seed | Ajmod अजमोद |  | used in recipes adapted from foreign cuisines |
| Chili Powder | Lal Mirch Ka Powder लाल मिर्च पाउडर | used in powdered form, in everyday India cooking | |
| Carom Seeds | Anwain अजवाइन | ||
| Garlic Chives | Lahsun Ke patte लहसुन के पत्ते | Leaves are used in curries and daal recipes | |
| Asafoetida | Heeng हींग | ||
| Cinnamon | Dalchini दालचीनी |  | used both is stick and powdered form in curries, pulaos, weight loss recipes, Immunity booster recipes, in baking |
| Clove | Long लौंग |  | Clove is known for its medicinal properties. Its is used as whole spice as well as in powdered form in many spice mixes |
| Coriander | धनिया ke Beej |  | It is an every day spice in any Indian kitchen |
| Cilantro | Dhaniya Ki Pattiyan |  | |
| Cumin | Jeera जीरा |  | Used whole in tempering and powdered form in many recipes |
| Curry Leaves | Kadi patta कढ़ी पत्ते |  | Majorly used in Southern India. A must have for tempering daal, saambar and Rasam |
| Dill | Sova सोवा |  | |
| Fennel | Saunf सौंफ |  | Used whole in several recipes in moderation due to its over powering flavor and aroma. Its is part of famous whole spice mix called panch foran. It is also a mouth freshener |
| Fenugreek Seed | Methi Daana मेथी दाना, मेथरे |  | This is another ingredient of panch foran. Also used in hair packs for hair growth |
| Garlic | Lahsun लहसुन |  | used in whole, crushed, minced and ground forms. It is also used in dried powdered form |
| Ginger | अदरक |  | used fresh, dried or ground. Powder is Called Sonth is a very popular spice in kashmiri cuisine |
| Mace | Javitri जावित्री | spice used whole / powdered, features in the famous Biryani Masala | |
| Marjoram | Maruwa मरवा, मरुवा | herb | |
| Mint | Pudina पुदीना |  | herb used fresh or dried |
| Mustard Seed | Sarson, Raai सरसो , राई |  | small seeds used in tempering and ground in spice mix |
| Nutmeg | Jayphal जायफल |  | Whole spice, mostly used as ground spice |
| Paprika | Lal Simla Mirch Powder लाल शिमला मिर्च का पाउडर | used in Powdered form | |
| Black Pepper: | Kali Mirch काली मिर्च |  | used both whole and powdered |
| Poppy Seeds | Khas Khas खसखस | dried granules Used in curries | |
| Saffron | Kesar केसर |  | red threads , used as an aromatic and for adding color esp in Biryani and Flavored milk |
| Stone Flower | Dagad Phool छरीला, पत्थरफूल, दगड फूल | Used in spice powder mix, amazing when added to Pulao | |
| Turmeric | Haldi हल्दी |  | Used in powdered form, Raw, dried |
| Long Pepper | Pipli, Pipali | ||
| Cubeb Berries | Kabab Chini | ||
| Garcinia Indica | Kokum | ||
| Alkanet Root | Ratanjot | Used in dishes like Rogan Josh for the vibrant red color | |
| Nigella Seeds | Kalonji | Typically used in India Pickles | |
| Dried Pommegranate Seeds | Anardana | Used in Chhole masala | |
| Dried Fenugreek Leaves | Kasuri Methi | used in several Indian recipes |
Hope this glossary of the names of spices in Hindi and English proves helpful to you.
Hi ! I am Karishma,I love to write about natural remedies, homemade beauty products, I encourage natural lifestyle, through this blog I try to bring people closer to Mother Nature. If you like this blog please share it and spread the goodness of natural and healthy lifestyle!
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