No cuisine is complete without spices. Indian food is a celebration of spices, from curries to Biryani, from Pulao to Daal spice 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 desired. 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 spices names in Hindi and English
Glossary of some commonly used Indian Spices With Hindi & English Names
Star Anise | चक्रफूल | Aromatic spice used in Rice dishes and masala powders | |
Holy Basil | तुलसी | | Medicinal use in Ayurveda, herbal tea |
Bay Leaf | तेजपत्ता | Aromatic spice in several veg and non veg dishes, used both fresh and dried. | |
Caraway | विलायती जीरा | | used specifically in Biryani and in certain cake recipes |
Cardamom | इलायची | | used in veg and non veg rice and curry dishes, it has a great prominence in Indian sweets |
Cayenne | लाल मिर्ची का एक प्रकार | | used in powdered form, it is not a typical Indian spice |
Celery Seed | अजमोद | | used in recipes adapted from foreign cuisines |
Chili Powder | लाल मिर्च पाउडर | used in powdered form, in everyday India cooking | |
Carom Seeds | अजवाइन | ||
Garlic Chives | लहसुन के पत्ते | Leaves are used in curries and daal recipes | |
Asafoetida | हींग | ||
Cinnamon | दालचीनी | used both is stick and powdered form in curries, pulaos, weight loss recipes, Immunity booster recipes, in baking | |
Clove | 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 | It is an every day spice in any Indian kitchen | |
Cilantro | |||
Cumin | जीरा | Used whole in tempering and powdered form in many recipes | |
Curry Leaves | कढ़ी पत्ते | Majorly used in Southern India. A must have for tempering daal, saambar and Rasam | |
Dill | सोवा | ||
Fennel | 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 | मेथी दाना, मेथरे | This is another ingredient of panch foran. Also used in hair packs for hair growth | |
Garlic | 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 | जावित्री | spice used whole / powdered, features in the famous Biryani Masala | |
Marjoram | मरवा, मरुवा | herb | |
Mint | पुदीना | herb used fresh or dried | |
Mustard Seed | सरसो , राई | small seeds used in tempering and ground in spice mix | |
Nutmeg | जायफल | Whole spice, mostly used as ground spice | |
Paprika | लाल शिमला मिर्च का पाउडर | used in Powdered form | |
Black Pepper: | काली मिर्च | used both whole and powdered | |
Poppy Seeds | खसखस | dried granules Used in curries | |
Saffron | केसर | red threads , used as an aromatic and for adding color esp in Biryani and Flavored milk | |
Stone Flower | छरीला, पत्थरफूल, दगड फूल | Used in spice powder mix, amazing when added to Pulao | |
Turmeric | हल्दी | Used in powdered form, Raw, dried |