Herbs and Spices For North Indian Cuisine

By Rose Swartz June 25, 2023 17 mins read 135 Views

Herbs and spices add depth to traditional Indian dishes, and have played an important role in the cuisine’s history. Learn how to use them to make traditional North Indian dishes at home, including our popular Red Lentil Dal recipe.

Fenugreek leaves, also known as kasoori methi, are commonly used in Indian cooking. A few dried leaves added to a veggie or meat curry or stir-fry can give it a mild, slightly bitter, earthy aroma.

Fennel

Fennel, a member of the carrot family, has been used as both a spice and herb throughout history. It is an essential part of North Indian cuisine, with recipes using both whole and powdered spices such as fennel seeds (saunf), ajwain, cumin, coriander, and more.

Fennel can be consumed in a variety of ways, both cooked and raw. It can be added to soups, stews and pasta dishes, or finely minced as a fresh garnish for salads. It is also a great addition to homemade vegetable broth. It has a sweet flavor and licorice-like aroma that elevates the dish it is served with.

Coriander

Coriander, which comes from the plant Coriandrum sativum, is an essential part of North Indian cuisine. It’s used both as a garnish and in chutneys.

It’s also a staple in countless curries and curry mixes. Its nuttiness and warmth add a rich flavour to many dishes.

As a spice, it’s often toasted or roasted to heighten its flavour, aroma and pungency. Ground coriander loses its potency very quickly when stored, so it’s best to use it fresh.

Cloves

Cloves are one of the most important herbs and spices for North Indian cuisine. They give a warm, spicy flavour to many dishes and are an essential ingredient of gram masala mix.

They can be used both whole and ground in a variety of cooking. They are very strong and must be used sparingly.

They are also known for their medicinal benefits. They can treat a range of ailments including diabetes, oral diseases, digestive issues and headaches. They are an effective anti-inflammatory and can also help in preventing lung cancer.

Green Cardamom

Green cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) is the most common variety you’ll find in your spice aisle, and it’s a staple in both sweet and savory dishes. It also comes in a bleached form called white cardamom.

Cardamom is used in Indian cooking to season a variety of dishes. Whole pods are sometimes added to rice and curries, while ground seeds are often used in sweet recipes.

Asafetida

The X-factor in many Indian dishes like rasam and sambar, asafetida is an essential spice that gives the dish its depth and umami flavor. It’s a bit pungent, smelling like rotting onions and garlic, but if used with care it won’t overpower the rest of your recipe.

Asafetida is a resinous gum extracted from the plant Ferula asafoetida, native to Iran and Afghanistan. It’s available in powder form that’s yellow to light brown in color or as a rock that has a dark reddish-brown appearance.

It’s considered a medicinal herb and is known to ease digestion. However, nursing mothers should avoid it as it can transfer ferulic acid to their breast milk and cause blood-related problems in babies.

Bay Leaves

The aromatic leaves of the bay laurel plant (Laurel Nobilis) have a delicate cinnamon stick scent and can help to bring out the flavor of any dish you add them to. They can be dried or fresh and are a staple in the kitchen of North Indian cuisine.

Dried leaves can be stored for months or even years without losing their flavor and fragrance. They are also very easy to use.

Traditional North Indian dishes like aloo ghobi, palak paneer and dal tadka are all made with this spice. It is also used in the preparation of biryani, korma and chana masala.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to make herbal remedies at home?

Making herbal remedies at home is easy. All you need is fresh herbs, water, salt, and sugar. You can use any herb, depending on what you want to create.

For example, choose mint, basil, chamomile, or lemon balm to make a soothing tea. If you want to make a cooling drink, try rosemary, thyme, lavender, or eucalyptus.

All you need to do is put all the ingredients into a pot and boil them until they become soft. Strain out the herbs and serve hot.

Add honey to the boiling mixture to make a tonic drink. Honey is a preservative and will keep your herbal remedy fresh for longer.

You can also combine two or three herbs to make a more potent brew. For instance, you could mix equal parts of garlic and ginger to make a powerful antiseptic. Or you can combine equal amounts of turmeric and ginger to make a potent immune booster.

Soak a clean cloth in warm water and place it over the affected area to make a compress. Leave it for 10 minutes before removing it. Do this every day until the swelling goes down.

Make sure you consult your doctor first before using herbal remedies. Some plants may interact negatively with other medications. Also, don't take large quantities of herbs because they can cause side effects.

What is the difference between "regular" and smoked paprika powder?

Regular Paprika Powder (Piment d'Espelette) is an essential ingredient for our recipes. We use it for its intense flavor and color. It's also used as a spice and seasoning agent. Smoked Paprika Powder (Paprika Chorizo) adds a smoky taste and aroma to dishes. Both types of Paprika Powder come from Spain, where they grow the best peppers in the world.

Smoked Paprika Powder (Chorizo Paprika) is made from red peppers, which are dried slowly in special ovens. This gives them a rich flavor. They are then ground and mixed with salt, garlic, and spices.

Regular Paprika Powder (Espelette Paprika) is made by grinding green bell peppers without additives.

Should You Use Herbs and Spices for Brain Health?

Herbs and spices have been used for centuries to improve brain health. Research shows that these natural remedies may help prevent dementia and Alzheimer's. Some herbs may even boost memory.

However, no scientific evidence proves that eating an herb-rich diet can keep your mind sharp. When it comes to improving cognitive function, there are more effective ways to do it.

One study found that older adults who took 1000 mg of vitamin B6 daily had fewer mental lapses than those taking placebo pills. Another study showed that drinking coffee could increase blood flow to the brain. Other studies suggest that exercise, socialization, and sleep improve brain health.

The bottom line is that herbs and spices probably won't make much difference to your overall health. But they might give you extra energy and focus, which can come in handy during the day.

What herbs should you take daily?

Depending on your health and wellness needs, many herbs can be taken daily to help improve your overall health.

Popular herbs for daily consumption include ashwagandha, turmeric, ginger, holy basil, chamomile, lavender, peppermint, and cayenne pepper. Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb that can help the body resist stress and anxiety. Turmeric is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, while ginger has been shown to aid digestion and boost immunity. Holy basil may help with managing blood sugar levels, as well as providing a calming effect. Chamomile can promote relaxation, while lavender is used in aromatherapy for its calming properties. Peppermint can help aid digestion and reduce nausea, while cayenne pepper has antibacterial properties that may boost your immunity.

As always, you must consult your doctor before taking herbs daily to ensure they are safe for you and do not interact with any other medications or herbs you may be taking.

There is no shortage of information on what foods we should eat and how much exercise we should do. But when it comes to what supplements we should take, there is a dearth of knowledge.

This is because most of us aren’t sure which ones work or which are junk. So we go online and look up whatever we can find.

But often, these articles are written by companies trying to promote their products. Which means they're usually biased toward their product.

So instead of finding unbiased advice, we end up reading marketing hype.

This makes sense since marketers make more money selling stuff than doctors.

The medical industry isn’t even allowed to advertise directly to consumers anymore. The best way to learn about natural remedies is to read independent reviews.

This is where you'll find real users sharing their experiences with each supplement. These sites give you an honest opinion of whether or not a particular herb helps.

Users will often share their experience with a supplement after taking it. This gives you a good idea of its effectiveness and any side effects.

You can also check out forums dedicated to herbalism. Here you can ask questions and receive answers based on personal experience.

Of course, there are plenty of other ways to learn about herbs.

There are books, websites, blogs, videos, podcasts, and classes. All of them provide valuable information about natural remedies.

What herb heals all wounds?

The answer to this question varies depending on the type and severity of the wound.

The herb comfrey (also known as knitbone) has long been used for its healing properties, particularly for skin injuries such as cuts and bruises.

Studies suggest that comfrey contains allantoin, which helps speed up healing. Other herbs commonly used for healing wounds include calendula, plantain, and yarrow. These herbs help to reduce inflammation, stop bleeding and speed up the skin's healing process.

In addition to herbs, honey has also been found to have powerful antimicrobial properties that can help prevent wound infection.

Herbs for wound care is an age-old practice that continues to be used today. However, herbs should not replace medical treatment, and always consult your doctor before using herbs for healing. With the right herbs, you can give your body the support it needs to heal naturally.

Statistics

The global herbs market is expected to reach more than $125 billion by the end of 2025.
For those with high cholesterol, garlic supplementation appears to reduce total and/or LDL cholesterol by about 10-15% (72Trusted Source73Trusted (healthline.com)

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How To

How To Upcycle Herbs After Making Infusions, Oils, Tinctures, And More?

There are more ways to use herbs than you might realize. This is why it's essential to keep an open mind when learning how to make herbal infusions, oils, tinctures, and more.

You'll find that there are many methods for making these products, and even though they may seem similar, each method has its benefits.

For example, some methods include creating decoctions, boiling water or alcohol with the herb(s), and letting them simmer for a while. These infusions are solid and potent because they contain higher concentrations of active compounds.

Another type of infusion includes macerating the herb(s), which means soaking them in liquid for a few hours or even overnight. Macerations tend to produce milder results because the plant material isn't boiled.

Some cold-infused forms involve steeping herbs in cool liquids such as ice cubes or cold water. Cold infusions are gentler than hot ones, often used to treat minor ailments.

Herbal oil extraction involves heating the herb(s) to release the essential oils. You can either do this yourself or have someone help you out with it.

Finally, there are tinctures made by mixing herbs with alcohol. They're usually taken orally and are very effective for treating coughs, colds, and flu symptoms.

The best way to learn how to create infused products is to experiment with various techniques. Each technique offers a different potency and effectiveness, depending on the herb(s) you choose.

Once you've tried a few different methods, you'll begin to develop your preferences. In time, you'll be able to determine which techniques work well for you and which aren't worth pursuing.