When it comes to Indian cuisine, spices are essential. Without them, many dishes would be incomplete or simply unenjoyable. In fact, many of the most popular Indian dishes rely on specific spices to bring out their flavors.
So, if you’re looking to get into Indian cooking, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the 10 key spices used in this cuisine.
Cumin
Cumin is a common ingredient in Indian cooking and can be found easily throughout USA. This spice has a strong, earthy flavor and can be used to add depth and complexity to dishes. Cumin can be used in both sweet and savory dishes, and when used in cooking, cumin can be either ground or whole.
Mustard Seeds
Mustard seeds are a key spice in Indian cuisine and can be found in many local grocery stores. They have a pungent flavor and are used in a variety of dishes, including curries, pickles, and chutneys. Mustard seeds are a good source of magnesium, potassium, and calcium.
Garam Masala
Garam masala is a blend of ground spices that is used to flavor many curries and other dishes. The most common spices in a garam masala blend are black pepper, cardamom, cumin, cloves, and nutmeg. While the exact proportions of these spices can vary, they are all essential to the flavor of garam masala.
Cinnamon
It is an essential ingredient in many curries and masalas, and gives dishes a characteristic sweet and savory flavor. Cinnamon is also used in desserts and sweet drinks, such as chai and lassi.
Cardamom
Cardamom is used to add flavor and depth to dishes, and can be found in a variety of Indian recipes. Cardamom is also a popular ingredient in masala chai, a spiced tea that is widely consumed in India. While it is possible to find cardamom in specialty stores, it is most commonly found in local grocery stores as well.
Cloves
Cloves is an important spice for Indian cooking and can be found in most local groceries. It has a strong, pungent flavor and is used in many dishes to add depth and complexity. Cloves can be used whole or ground, and is often used in spice blends like garam masala. When used in cooking, it is important to add cloves early on in the process so that the flavor has time to develop.
Ginger
Ginger is an important spice for Indian cooking, and can be found in many local groceries. You’ll love the strong and pungent flavor that ginger adds to a dish. Ginger is often used in curries and other spice-based dishes, and can be a great way to add some extra flavor to your meal.
Fennel Seeds
Fennel seeds is an aromatic spice. It has a sweet, anise-like flavor and can be found in most local groceries. Fennel seeds are a key ingredient in many Indian recipes.
Turmeric
Turmeric is a spice that is native to India and is part of the ginger family. You get this spice when the dried root of the Curcuma longa plant is ground. Turmeric has a strong, earthy flavor and can be purchased fresh, ground, or in powder form. It is a key ingredient in many curries and masalas, and gives Indian dishes their characteristic yellow color. Turmeric is also used to add flavor and color to other dishes, such as rice and dal.
Black Pepper
Black pepper can be found in many popular local groceries across the US. It has a strong, pungent flavor that can add a lot of depth and interest to dishes. When used judiciously, black pepper can really elevate a dish and make it more exciting. It is also very versatile, and can be used in both sweet and savory dishes.
Each of these spices has a unique flavor that is essential for Indian cooking. If you’re wanting to try some of the more popular Indian dishes, it’s important to have these spices on hand. Not to mention, they’re all relatively easy to find in Walmart. So, if you’re ready to start cooking some Indian dishes, start stocking up on these key spices!