The spices in Indian cuisine serve as the secret to its vibrant flavors. Indian spices, like cumin and red chili powder, are comforting and fiery respectively, and they are more of a soul than an ingredient of any Indian dish.
Whether you’re an Indian food lover or want to enhance your meals, a well-stocked Indian spice rack is a necessity.
For quality Indian spices while located in the U.S., try Bombay Mart. Their extensive selection of authentic Indian spices ensures that you do not miss out on the real taste of India as they deliver right to your door.
Every kitchen should have 10 essential Indian spices, and below I have listed these must haves:
1. Haldi (Turmeric)
Flavor Profile: Warming, earthy, and slightly bitter.
Dals, curries, rice, and even teas all include Turmeric, a spice so iconic in Indian cooking, it is indispensable. Turmeric is known for its golden hue and is also valued for anti-inflammatory and oxidant properties, strengthening health while adding flavor.
2. Cumin Seeds (Jeera)
Contains Flavors: Nuts, Pepper, Lemon.
Cumin is one of the most common ingredients in Indian kitchens due to its fragrant smell and warm, nutty aroma, used while making jeera rice, curries, and even raitas.
Whole cumin seeds are tempered in oil for the base of many Indian dishes. Ground cumin is used in spice blends and marinades.
3. Coriander Powder (Dhania Powder)
Contains Flavors: Lemon and Petals.
Coriander has a mild zesty flavor with hints of sweet which brings freshness to Indian dishes, especially when prepared with spice blend. It is widely used in the Indian kitchens because it is perfect for spiced curries, dry vegetable preparations and lentils.
4. Red Chilli Powder (Lal Mirch)
Contains Flavors: Fiery and Sharp.
Red chilli powder is used to add heat in dishes and is available in mild and super hot versions, so you can choose according to preference. Superhot versions are great for tandoori chicken, paneer tikka and spicy curries.
5. Mustard Seeds (Rai/Sarson)
Flavor Profile: Spicy and nutty after frying
Mustard seeds, as tiny as they are, pack a punch and an oil-sizzling pop when added to ghee or oil. Their gentle infusion of oil with a fragrant nutty essence is pungent and bursting with flavor.
Think of their applications – in pickles, dals, sambhar, kadhi, and even Bengoli and South Indian cuisines, they are an all time favorite!
6. Garam Masala
Flavor Profile: Sweet, warm, and mildly spicy
A single spice could never do justice to garam masala – that’s because garam masala is constructed with warming spices like cinnamon, cloves, black pepper, cardamom, and nutmeg. It’s a staple spice and every household has their own take on it.
Traditionally, garam masala is added at the end, particularly to butter chicken and biryani to elevate the dish to aromatic bliss.
7. Asafoetida (Hing)
Flavor Profile: Pungent when raw, mellow, and garlicky when cooked
Asafoetida adds a strong profile to dishes and is used in scant amounts. It’s scent is bold, but once cooked, transforms into a mellow garlic-onion whiff. Hing is fundamental to Jain and Ayurvedic cooking, especially in lentil and vegetable dishes for better digestion.
8. Fenugreek Seeds (Methi Dana)
Flavor Profile: Slightly bitter with a hint of maple
Fenugreek seeds’ bitterness and maple sweetness makes it easy to use in pickles and spice blends. They also add a unique taste to methi aloo and fish curry. Their bitterness helps in bringing out the flavor when sprouted or lightly roasted.
9. Cloves (Laung)
Flavor Profile: Strong, pungent, and warm
Whole and ground cloves are intensely aromatic spices. They warm and deepen the flavor of both sweet and savory dishes. They are a must in garam masala, biryani, pulao, as well as masala chai which is served during celebrations for its festive fragrance.
10. Cardamom (Elaichi)
Flavor Profile: Sweet, floral, and intensely aromatic
Green cardamom pods adored for their sweet floral scent. They are used in both sweet and savory dishes including kheer and pulao. Black cardamom is also used more for robust dishes such as meat curries and dals due to it’s smoky flavor.
Why Buy Your Spices from Bombay Mart?
Authenticity Guaranteed: Trusted for generations, we work with top quality Indian brands that family’s prize for the freshness of their spices.
With Spices from Bombay Mart, receive fast delivery throughout the U.S. Rest-assured, the spices will be aromatic and fresh.
Everything in One Place Indian Grocery Store: The magic of Indian cuisine can be recreated at home with Bombay Mart’s everything from spices to sweets.
Bringing India to Your Kitchen
Bombay Mart is the answer to all of your spice needs, and it doesn’t have to be difficult. With these ten essentials, you can make hundreds of traditional or fusion recipes with ease right at home.
Whether you are a home chef searching for new flavors or a passionate cook yearning for the taste of home, all you need is spices and pantry staples, and bombay mart will become your one stop online store for Indian groceries in America.
The first spice is always free at bombay mart so contact them at bombaymart3@gmail.com and bring back all the flavor of India into your food.
