Find below a list of basic Indian Spices and their names in Hindi and Tamil. I get mails from foreigners asking me about Indian spices, so I decided to introduce Indian spices, spice powder and few other ingredients commonly used in Indian cooking.
In the picture above - Clockwise -Yellow powder is turmeric powder- mustard seeds-fenugreek seeds, split urad dal-cumin seeds-whole black pepper and red chillies in the center. White box behind is Asafoetida also know as hing. It is used in many dishes to enhance flavor. It also aids in digestion.
In the picture above (CW)-Cloves-marathi mokku-star anise-cardamom-cinnamon
Glossary of Indian Spices in English, Tamil and Hindi
These spice powders are commonly used in Indian cuisine
Coriander Powder- Clean and dry coriander seeds in the sun. Then get it ground in the flour mill. Alternatively, you can dry roast coriander seeds in a pan on medium flame until you get a nice aroma of roasted coriander seeds. Cool and powder it. The seeds can be powdered either by roasting them or without roasting them. They give different flavors to the curries.
Cumin Powder - Dry roast cumin seeds in a pan and then grind it to a fine powder. You can use the coffee grinder or mixie for powdering it. Store it in an air tight container.
Red Chilli Powder -Dry Red chillies in the sun and give it in the flour mill for dry grinding. It is available ready made.
Garam Masala Powder -Garam masala- Garam means "hot" and masala means a "mixture of spices" is a blend of ground spices common in North Indian and other South Asian cuisines. Each state has its own spice blend or masala powder. Refer Kerala Garam Masala powder. More will be posted soon.
Turmeric Powder - It is used in almost all curries and dals. It imparts flavor and color to the dishes. It has lot of medicinal properties. It is available ready made.
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In the picture above (CW)-Cloves-marathi mokku-star anise-cardamom-cinnamon
Glossary of Indian Spices in English, Tamil and Hindi
English | Tamil | Hindi |
Asafoetida | Perungayam | Hing |
Aniseed/Fennel | Sombu | Saunf |
Black Cumin Seeds | Karun jiragam | Shahjeera |
Bay leaf | Brinji Ilai | Tej Patta |
Black salt | Induppu | Kala Namak |
Cardamom | Elakkai | Ilaichi |
Cinnamon | Pattai | Dalchini |
Cloves | Krambu | Lavang |
Coriander seeds | Kothamalli vidhai | Sukha Dhania |
Coriander Powder | Malli podi | Pisa Dhania |
Chillies | Milagai | Mirchi |
Chilli powder | Milagai Podi | Lal Mirch Powder |
Cumin Seeds | Jeeragam | Jeera |
Coriander leaves | Kothamalli thalai | Dhaniya pattē |
Carom seeds | Omam | Ajwain |
Curry Leaves | Karuveppilai | Kadhi patta |
Dry ginger | Sukku | Sonth |
Dry mango powder | Mangai Podi | Amchur |
Fenugreek seeds | Vendayam | Methi Dana |
Green chilli | Pachai Milagai | Hari Mirch |
Ginger | Ingi | Adrak |
Garlic | Poondu | Lehsun |
Holy Basil | Tulasi | Tulsi |
Mace | Jathikai thol | Javitri |
Mint leaves | Pudina | Pudina |
Mustard seeds | Kadugu | Rai |
Nutmeg | Jathikai | Jaiphal |
Onion Seeds | Vengaya vithai | Kalonji |
Peppercorns | Milagu | Kali Mirch |
Poppy seeds | Kasa kasa | Khus Khus |
Pomegranate Seeds | Mathalam vidhai | Anardana |
Red Chilli | Milagai vathal | Lal Mirchi |
Saffron | Kungumapoo | Kesar |
Sesame seeds | Ellu | Til |
Star Anise | Annachi mokku | Chakra Phool |
Turmeric | Manjal | Haldi |
Tamarind | Puli | Imli |
White Pepper | Vellai milagu | Safed Mirchi |
These spice powders are commonly used in Indian cuisine
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In front of the spoon is mace (Jathibathri/Jathikai thol in tamil) and at the back of the spice powder is bay leaf. |
Cumin Powder - Dry roast cumin seeds in a pan and then grind it to a fine powder. You can use the coffee grinder or mixie for powdering it. Store it in an air tight container.
Red Chilli Powder -Dry Red chillies in the sun and give it in the flour mill for dry grinding. It is available ready made.
Garam Masala Powder -Garam masala- Garam means "hot" and masala means a "mixture of spices" is a blend of ground spices common in North Indian and other South Asian cuisines. Each state has its own spice blend or masala powder. Refer Kerala Garam Masala powder. More will be posted soon.
Turmeric Powder - It is used in almost all curries and dals. It imparts flavor and color to the dishes. It has lot of medicinal properties. It is available ready made.
If you found this post useful, I would really love it, if you pin it or share it with your Facebook fans or Twitter followers or Google+ circles today. All it takes is a simple click on the “pin it” “like,” “share,” “tweet,” or Google+ buttons below the post. It will keep me motivated. Thank you!
very useful post padma
ReplyDeleteIts great work. ..
ReplyDeleteAs per my knowledge rock salt is known as induppu in Tamil..
Even there's some confusion in language column for the same. ..
Mace also known as jathipathiri.
ReplyDeleteVery useful post. Can you also please post how garam masala can be prepared at home
ReplyDeleteuseful post padhu
ReplyDeleteGreat effort and extremely useful for us who live in Europe. But may I request that you also put in the Malayalam terms if you can? My mother is from Kottayam and she uses mostly Malayalam terminology even though she speaks Tamil - a consequence of my "pattar" heritage ! When I try to make Indian dishes, I go usually by the terminology used by my mother and your cuisine is close to what we eat at home !
ReplyDeleteThanks or "merci beaucoup" as we say in these parts for an excellent blog !
V. Suresh
Strasbourg, France
yes. very very useful post..... tks
ReplyDeleteHi Padhu , you have an awesome blog .I eagerly await for your new recipes to try out the same. Keep up the good work !
ReplyDeleteVery informative. Thanks.
ReplyDeletetoo good...
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot for your blog, started cooking.. and i never knew that i also can cook so nicely !!
Thanks again padhu gaaru :)
Madam, I want some ideas for my restaurant, will u plz help me.my email is sanjayjindal8@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteMadam, what is the hindi word for "Karrupati" or "panai vellam"?
ReplyDeleteVery useful Padma mam
ReplyDeleteUseful Padma
ReplyDeleteDear sir
ReplyDeleteWhat is the meaning of chia seed in Tamil
Hindi,English and Tamil language useful info
ReplyDeleteVery useful
ReplyDeleteNice
ReplyDeleteenglish,hindi names for khanda thippili
ReplyDelete