Introduction
No Indian meal would be complete without spices and no story about the subcontinent would be complete without them. Spices are so deeply ingrained in Indian history and culture that even Indian films are referred to as "masala movies" – masala being the Hindi term for spice.
Every year, Indian spice manufacturers produce more than two million tonnes of spices. It is one of the world's top exporters, accounting for more than 40% of the global spice trade.
The success of the Indian Spice manufacturers
India's success in growing spices is largely due to its physical characteristics. The climate is suitable for growing spices, with high humidity and diversity of climatic variables producing optimum circumstances for farming a diverse range of spice crops. To mention a few, turmeric, cinnamon, black pepper, clove, coriander, and red chili. Many of these are indigenous to the subcontinent, but others have come from other parts of the world.
According to the IBEF report, the five-year CAGR of India's spice export was 12%. In February 2022, the exports of spices from India increased by 7.3% to US$ 291.17 million from US$ 271.4 million in January 2022. In 2020-21, India exported 1.76 million tonnes of spices. This was a 46% increase from 2019-20 exports of 1.21 million tonnes.
Indian spices: A culinary and historical trip
It's tough not to think of India initially when it comes to spices. Regional spices have been used for millennia in India, both in cuisine and in traditions such as Ayurvedic treatment. This ancient technique, the world's oldest sort of medicine, is still used in many parts of the Indian subcontinent today. When herbs are burned, pastes are applied, or fragrances are used to improve, modify, or otherwise affect a patient receiving Ayurvedic treatment, spices are used.
However, these spices, along with many others, were used to flavour Indian food, both luxuries, and daily necessities. As travelers passed through the area, these spices gradually made their way across the continent. From Genghis Khan of the Mongol Empire to the various monarchs of the British Empire, invaders and conquerors have long coveted India's rich mine of spices. As a result of the rising demand for Indian spices, India finally became the global hub for the "Spice Trade." From cumin to coriander, saffron to sage, black pepper to black mustard seeds, the world couldn't get enough of India's flavors.
It didn't take long for the rest of the world to notice—Indian food with the spices was a hit, and the British brought it with them wherever they went as their empire grew to enormous proportions. Many Indian dishes are now considered staples in the United Kingdom, and nearly every major city in the world offers selections ranging from Vindaloo to Tikka to Tandoori. Not to mention one necessary ingredient for enjoying any of these meals. Spices are the key to all of the flavor in Indian cuisine!
Types of Indian Spices
Indian spices are classified into the 2 types that are mentioned below:
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Whole Spices and Herbs: These Indian masalas are utilized in their entirety. The masala is usually wrapped in cheesecloth or a nylon net before being removed to cease the seasoning process. Many herbal and spicy teas, for example, are brewed with entire spices. To add a unique aroma to a curry, people typically utilise crumbled whole spices near the end of cooking.
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Crushed and ground spices: Crushed and ground spices are made by crushing entire spices. Some people make a coarse powder and add it around 15 minutes before the end of the cooking period. Crushed spices release aroma quickly, hence they are typically utilised to provide greater aroma than whole spices.
Spice it up!
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VLC Spice Company is a whole spice supplier in India dedicated to creating appetizing flavors with natural spices' colors and scents at the most affordable costs to suit the culinary needs of the global food business. VLC spice provides a variety of spices in a variety of packaging to fulfill the specific needs of the food sector, offering spices while assuring end-to-end food safety.
