Essential Spices in Kerala Cuisine

 

The rich legacy and culture of Kerala are intertwined with its rich relationship with food. Being the spice capital of India, Kerala cuisine is abundant in flavor, aroma and taste in a way that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. In this article, let us take a tour around the essential spices in Kerala cuisine:

 

1.        Biryani Masala

Biryani is a dish loved by everyone around the world, but it has a huge fan following in Kerala. And adding that much needed punch to a biryani is the biryani masala – an exotic blend of spices and powders. Buy the best biryani masala from Double Horse to prepare the tastiest biryanis.

2.      Sambar Powder

Sambar is one of the most commonly prepared breakfast dishes in any South Indian household. Prepared with lentils, vegetables and a range of spices, making sambar is now easier than ever before with the availability of sambar powders in the market.

3.      Chicken Masala

Chicken curry is a dish that has a special place in every Malayali’s heart. Make chicken curry with ease with the help of special chicken masala powder from Double Horse.

4.      Pepper Powder

Pepper is one of the most valuable and priceless spices in the world, the king of spices that attracted world trade to India’s shores. The pepper plant is cultivated in Kerala in droves and constitutes one of the biggest exports from the country. Pepper powder is used in a variety of dishes in Kerala as well as the whole world and is famed for its deep and unique heat flavor and fragrance.

5.       Coriander Powder

Coriander is a herb with a rich fragrance and flavor that is used as it is and in powdered form in the preparation of a variety of dishes. Coriander powder finds its place in the kitchen shelves of every Kerala household and is used to make a lot of dishes like sambar, chicken curry, rasam and a wide variety of other curries as well.

6.      Egg Roast Masala

You cannot separate a Malayali from an egg roast curry. Prepare the tastiest egg roast with ease with the help of egg roast masala. Egg roast masala is a blend of turmeric powder, Kashmiri chili powder, coriander powder, pepper powder and garam masala powder.

 

7.       Fish Masala

Preparing a fish fry or a fish curry can no longer be a headache with fish curry masalas. Fish masala provides zing and flavor to any fish based dish or curry, with its unique concoction of spices and powders. Make the tastiest and healthy fish curry with fish masala from Double Horse.

8.      Garam Masala

Garam masala is a distinct blend of a range of spices such as cinnamon, mace, peppercorns, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, and cardamon pods, made by drying, toasting and powdering the same. Garam masala is a one-for-all spice powder that can elevate any dish to the next level.

9.      Meat Masala

Preparing meat dishes need not be a hassle with instant meat masala. Meat masala is usually made of coriander, chillies, fennel, gram dal, turmeric, salt, cumin seeds, mustard, black pepper, garlic, cinnamon, fenugreek, cardamom, nutmeg, star anise, cloves, to name a few.

10. Vegetable Masala

Vegetable masala plays an undeniable role in Kerala cuisine. It’s versatility allows it to be used to prepare vegetarian dishes such as aloo masala, gobi masala, chickpeas curry, kurma, and so much more.

11.   Turmeric Masala

Turmeric masala is a spice Indians cannot live without thanks to its mesmerizing fragrance, taste and color. Turmeric is a high antioxidant, antiseptic and cleansing spice that has numerous health benefits for skin and body. It helps boost immunity and metabolism as well.

12.  Cloves

Cloves are one of the most valuable spices in any Kerala household. This tiny spice packs a punch when it comes to flavor and elevates any dish and is used extensively in meat preparations. Clove is not just used for its flavor profile, it has antioxidant properties, helps cure stomach ulcers, improves bone density and helps alleviate toothaches as well.

13.  Cardamom

Cardamom is popularly known as the Queen of spices for a reason. It has a distinct aroma and flavor and adds layers to any dish it is used in. Cardamom is also used in mouth fresheners and other similar products for its invigorating aroma. Cardamom also provides numerous health benefits – anti-inflammatory, lowering blood pressure, curing stomach ulcers and easing digestion.

14.  Cinnamon

The role cinnamon plays in enhancing the taste and flavor of any dish needs no introduction. Cinnamon is available both as rolls of bark as well as powdered form. Popular worldwide for its unique properties, cinnamon is also recognised for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, repairing body tissues and fighting infections.

15.  Ginger

Ginger is one of the most commonly available spices in any Kerala household. Used in a variety of dishes, ginger provides a noticeable sharpness to any dish and is also extremely beneficial to health. Ginger provides many health solutions such as fighting indigestion and stomach aches, maintaining metabolism, treating nausea, vomiting and cold as well as increasing immunity.

16.  Tamarind

Tamarind is a soft, pulpy spice grown in trees that has a sweet and sour taste. Tamarind is used in Indian cuisine in making chutneys, pickles and a variety of other curries, especially in Kerala cuisine. Tamarind is a versatile spice that also has non-culinary uses as well.

17.  Star Anise

As the name suggests, star anise is shaped like a star with a heavy and sharp flavor and aroma to it. It is used in preparation of biryanis and pulaos as well as in a variety of non-culinary uses like fighting constipation, inducing sleep, fighting mosquitoes and fungal infections.

 

If you are looking for buying the best spices and powders in Kerala, look no further, buy Double Horse spices. Double Horse is the leading spices and powders brand in Kerala, providing trusted and the finest quality products for their customers.

 

Check out the Double Horse catalog of spices here.