Spices can add the much-needed aroma and flavor to even the most basic dishes. At present, a wide variety of spices are available in the market and each has its unique flavor and purpose. The following section discusses some of the essential Indian spices.
Indians simply cannot imagine a world without spices. For them, it is equivalent to eating food without salt. Spices play an important role in elevating an ordinary dish to a completely new level of excellence. Spices from VLC Spice Company not only add flavor but also has several health advantages. Ingredients like turmeric, garlic, and ginger are quite popular among other spices. These have antimicrobial and immunity-boosting qualities. Every Indian household keeps a masala box in the kitchen that contains all the necessary spices used in everyday cooking.
What are spices?
Spices are essentially aromatic flavorings that are derived from plant-based components such as fruits, seeds, bark, and rhizomes. Spices have been highly valued as great products for thousands of years and have been used for seasoning result food. It also has applications in medicines and fragrances. The term spice is derived from the Latin word species which implies merchandise or wares.
Although spices are sold dried there is no guarantee that they will last permanently. The robust flavor fades away with time particularly when the spice is exposed to air and light. Today spices from VLC spices manufacture come in a wide variety of forms including fresh, whole dried, dried pre-ground, or blended.
A brief history of spices
Spices have a long and illustrative history that thing back to the dawn of civilization. Spices have been an integral part of the various historical events taking place. Spices were as expensive as gold during the middle ages in Europe. It was the single most significant force that drove the global economy. The conquest of India and other Asian regions was mostly fuelled by a struggle among European powers for controlling the trade of spices.
With time spices became more readily available and their value began to drop. Eventually, people discovered a method of transporting spice plants to other regions of the globe, and opulent monopolies began to disintegrate.
Essential spices
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Turmeric powder
Turmeric powder is considered the most common Indian spice that one can find in every household. No type of Indian cooking is complete without this spice.
Turmeric is a spice that has an earthy undertone flavor and in its natural form is bright you know in color. It has antioxidant, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and other properties. Turmeric is also an excellent anti-inflammatory ingredient.
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Coriander powder
Coriander belongs to the parsley family and is one of the most prominent spices in the Indian subcontinent. The spice is known to have a sweet tangy and citrus flavor. It is among the oldest spices in the world. Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan are the two States where coriander is cultivated the most.
Coriander has different health advantages that help in improving the production of digestive enzymes and fruits. VLC Spices also help in maintaining the digestive processes.
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Chili powder
The hottest portion of red chili, the seed is used in making red chili powder. The powder is highly potent and should always be used in limited amounts. When added to the diet it is an excellent source of vitamin C that promotes weight loss and decreases blood pressure.
Conclusion
Spices usually have varying shelf lives and there is no general certainty on how long they should be fresh and usable. Also, whole spices last longer in comparison to ground spices. Whenever buying spices from the VLC spice company, it is always a good idea to store them in an air-tight container and keep them away from direct sunlight.
