If the ghosts of Christopher Columbus and Vasco da Gama continue craving for new sea routes to India’s fabulous spices, they won’t need a ship to ride across the unknown:
Spices constitute an important group of agricultural commodities which are virtually indispensable in the culinary art. They can be primarily defined as farm products used in various forms viz; fresh, ripe, dried, broken, powdered etc. which contributes aroma, taste, flavour, colour and pungency to food rather than a lone food seasoning factors.
Spices may be either bark, buds, flowers, fruits, leaves, roots, seeds, stigmas and styles or the entire plant tops. They are well known as appetizers or preservatives and many of them have rich medicinal properties and are used in pharmaceutical, perfumery, cosmetic products, religious rituals etc.
India is known as “The home of spices”. No Indian meal is considered complete without the tangy and delectable flavour of Indian spices, locally known as ‘masala’. Indian spices famous the world over for their gastronic value are known to possess high medicinal values. There is no other country in the world that produces as many kinds of spices as India. Some of the most widely consumed spices in the country inter alia include: chilli (Lal Mirach), cinnamon, cumin (Jeera), curry leaf (Curry Patta), fennel (Saunf), asafoetida (hing/heeng), basil (Pudina), Bay Leaves (Taj Patta), cardamom small (Chotti Elaichi), cardamom—large (Badi Elaichi), ginger (Adrak), mustard, bishops weed (Ajwain), cassia (dal chini), celery (Kala Jeera), clove, coriander (Dhania), fenugreek (Methi), garlic (Lahson), kokam, mint, onion, parsley, pomegranate, turmeric (Haldi), tamarind (Imli) pepper (Kali Mirach), poppy (Post Dana/Khaskhas) rosemary and vanilla. The climate of the country is found suitable for growing almost all spices.
Indian spices are renowned all over the world since many centuries. Even before the advent of currency transactions sailors from far off lands used to come and barter their goods for Indian spices. It is not an exaggeration if we say that even today the aroma of Indian spices can be felt at the nook and corner of the world. This aroma had inspired our Henna and Herbal products buyers in making us exporters of spices also.
India is one of the largest producer, consumer and exporter of spices. India is reported to grow over 50 spices in different parts of the country. The Spices Board, under the umbrella of Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India is the apex body for promoting exports of Indian spices. Established in 1987, the Board has been playing an important role as a developmental, regulatory and promotional agency for Indian spices. Its broad-based activities include formulation and implementation of quality improvement systems, research and development programmes, imparting of education and training to farmers, processors, packers and exporters on post harvest handling, etc. On the promotion of spices, the Spices Board is regularly participating in international food fairs, assisting exporters for trade fair participation, sending business delegations to identified markets for export development.
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