Indian cuisine and Indian food restaurants are venerable pervasively for its rich and diverse flavors. One of the paramount reasons behind this is the use of spices in every dish. Indian spices are not just bounded to adding flavor to the food; they are also used for medicinal purposes and have been an integral part of Indian culture for centuries. In this blog, we will introduce you to the art of Indian spices and how they are used in restaurants.
The History of Indian Spices
India has been known as the land of spices for centuries. The country has a long history of spice trade with the rest of the world, dating back to the 15th century. Spices such as pepper, cinnamon, and cardamom were considered valuable commodities and were used to pay for goods and services. In ancient India, spices were also used for medicinal purposes. The Ayurvedic system of medicine, which is still prevalent in India today, uses herbs to treat various ailments. Spices were also used to preserve food, as refrigeration was unavailable in ancient times.
The Importance of Spices in Indian Cuisine
For centuries, India has earned the reputation of being the land of spices due to its rich history of spice trade with the rest of the world, dating back to the 15th century. Pepper, cinnamon, and cardamom were some of the spices that were considered valuable commodities and used as a means of payment for goods and services. Spices also held medicinal value, and ancient India’s Ayurvedic system of medicine used herbs to treat various ailments. Additionally, spices were utilized to preserve food since refrigeration was unavailable in ancient times, a practice that continues even today.
Types of Indian Spices
Indian spices are obtainable in various forms, including whole spices, ground spices, and spice blends. Cumin seeds, which have a warm, pragmatic flavor, are used in a range of Indian dishes, such as curries, soups, and stews, as well as for medicinal impetus. Coriander seeds have a slightly sweet, citrusy flavor, and are employed in numerous Indian dishes and spice blends, including garam masala. Turmeric is a vibrant yellow spice that imparts a slightly bitter taste and is utilized for both color and flavor in dishes like curries, rice dishes, and spice blends. Cardamom pods have a sweet, floral flavor and are used in both sweet and savory dishes, including chai tea and garam masala. Cinnamon, with its sweet and warm taste, is also used in a variety of Indian dishes, desserts, and chai tea. Cloves, which have a warm and sweet flavor, are used in Indian dishes like rice dishes and spice blends. Mustard seeds have a pungent and slightly bitter taste and are utilized in various Indian dishes, such as pickles and chutneys.
Banjara Restaurant takes pride in their Indian cuisine, and they pay proximate attention to the quality of spices used in their dishes. They firmly believe that the right blend of spices is what sets Indian cuisine apart from the rest. They use traditional Indian cooking methods to infuse the flavors of herbs into their dishes, resulting in an explosion of flavors in every bite. Their chefs are experts in the art of Indian spices and have a deep understanding of how to use them to create delectable and unique dishes. They only use authentic spice blends and whole spices to create their signature dishes.