Lecture - 31 A general account of Spices and Condiments – Ginger, Turmeric, Cinnamon, Clove, Saffron, Capsicum, Pepper, Fennel, Cumin, Coriander, Cardamom
A general account of Spices and Condiments – Ginger, Turmeric, Cinnamon, Clove, Saffron, Capsicum, Pepper, Fennel, Cumin, Coriander, Cardamom:-
1. Ginger:-
Botanical Name:- Zingiber officinale
Family:- Zingiberaceae
Economic Importance:-
> Used widely in fresh, dried, powdered, or pickled form for culinary purposes.
> Known for anti-inflammatory, anti-nausea, and digestive properties; used in Ayurveda and other traditional systems.
> India is a major producer and exporter of ginger, especially dry ginger.
> Used in making ginger oil, ginger powder, candy, beverages, and tea.
> Forms the base for herbal tonics, syrups, and nutraceutical products.
2. Turmeric:-
Botanical Name:- Curcuma longa
Family:- Zingiberaceae
Economic Importance:-
> Widely used in cooking for its flavor, color, and preservative properties.
> Contains curcumin, which has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer properties.
> Used in skincare and cosmetic products (face creams, masks, etc.).
> Important in Indian rituals, weddings, and festivals.
> India is the largest producer and exporter of turmeric globally.
3. Cinnamon (Dalchini):-
Botanical Names:-
i. Cinnamomum zeylanicum (Cinnamon or Dalchini)
ii. Cinnamomum camphora (Camphor)
iii. Cinnamomum tamala (Tejpat or Indian Cassia)
Family:- Lauraceae
Economic Importance:-
> The drug cinnamon, which is used in diarrhoea, nausia and vomiting, is obtained from the dried inner bark of C. zeylanicum, i.e. Dalchini.
> Dalchini in India is mainly grown in Kerala. It is extensively used as a spice and condiment.
> Oil obtained from the bark is used as a stomachic and carminative. It removes the gastric disorders and destroys some fungi and germs.
> Camphor is obtained by distillation of the wood and leaves of C. camphora. Safrole, a highly valued constituent used in preparation of expensive perfumes, is also obtained from this species.
> Camphor is used internally in diarrhoea and as cardiac stimulant, and externally for local application for inflammations and rheumatic pains.
> Tejpat is obtained from the leaves of C. tamala (Fig. 83). It is used as a spice and also in diarrhoea and colic disorders.
4. Cloves (Laung):-
Botanical Name:- Syzygium aromaticum syn. Eugenia caryophyllata (Laung).
Family:- Myrtaceae
Economic Importance:-
> These are the dried flower buds of Syzygium aromaticum.
> These are used as spice and also as a strong aromatic, stimulant and carminative substance.
> These are used in indigestion, vomiting and stopping nausea.
> It is one of the ingredients of betelnut-chew.
> An essential oil (clove oil) is obtained from cloves which is well-known for its antiseptic and preservative properties. It is used in pickles, confectionery and for fermenting beverages.
> Oil is an important ingredient of dentifrices, gargles, chewing gums, toilet water, soaps and perfumery.
> In embryological and histological works, the oil is used as a clearing agent.
> Clove cigarettes are used in Java and some other countries.
5. Saffron (kesar):-
Botanical Name:- Crocus sativus
Family:- Iridaceae
Economic Importance:- It is a very low-yield crop, which makes it an expensive food ingredient. Stigma and styles, called threads, are collected and dried for use mainly as a seasoning and colouring agent in food.
> Colouring agent (food dye)
> Flavouring agent
> Anti-spasmodic
> Stimulant
6. Capsicum:-
Botanical Name:- Capsicum annuum, Capsicum frutescens, Capsicum chinense (depending on variety)
Family:- Solanaceae
Common Names:- Chili, Bell pepper, Sweet pepper, Shimla Mirch (Hindi), Mirch (Chili)
Economic Importance:-
> Vegetable and spice crop widely cultivated globally.
> Major source of vitamin C, vitamin A, and antioxidants like capsanthin.
> Used fresh, dried (red chili), or processed into Powders, Sauces (e.g., hot sauces), Pickles.
> Bell pepper (Capsicum annuum) has culinary use due to its sweet taste and crunchy texture.
> Dried chilies are an export commodity, especially in India, China, and Mexico.
> Contains capsaicin, used in:
i. Pain relief ointments
ii. Pepper sprays (non-lethal self-defense)
iii. Pharmaceutical and veterinary products
7. Pepper:-
Botanical Name:- Piper nigrum
Family:- Piperaceae
Common Names:- Black pepper, Kali Mirch (Hindi), King of Spices
Economic Importance:-
> Known as the "King of Spices"; one of the most traded spices globally.
> Derived from dried unripe fruits (drupes) called peppercorns.
> Used extensively in:
i. Culinary preparations
ii. Pickles, spice mixes (garam masala)
iii. Traditional medicine (Ayurveda, Unani)
> Contains piperine, a compound with medicinal value:
i. Enhances bioavailability of nutrients and drugs
ii. Acts as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory
> India (especially Kerala) is one of the traditional producers.
> Important export crop for many tropical countries.
8. Fennel (Saunf):-
Botanical Name:- Foeniculum vulgare Mill.
Family:- Umbelliferae or Apiaceae
Economic Importance:-
> “Seeds” of this perennial plant are oval or elongated and greenish or yellowish brown.
> The plants of F. vulgare contain finely divided leaves and yellow flowers.
> Fennel is used as an indispensable item in cooking and also for candy and liquors. Its use as spice and condiment is widely known.
> Oil is used widely in medicines, soaps and perfumes.
> It is widely cultivated in Punjab, Assam, Maharashtra and Gujarat.
> Leaves are useful in treating rheumatism and gastric disorders.
9. Cumin (Jira):-
Botanical Name:- Cuminum cyminum
Family:- Umbelliferae or Apiaceae
Economic Importance:-
> Cumin plants are attractive annual herbs with small pinkish flowers.
> Fruits are elongated, oval and light brown or light yellow coloured.
> Fruits are used as an essential flavouring material in curries, soups, cakes, pickles, etc.
> Oil from its fruits is used in perfumery and also for flavouring beverages.
> Being a native of Mediterranean region, cumin is now grown on a large scale in Southern Europe and India. In India, it is cultivated largely in Punjab and U.P.
> It is used medicinally as stomachic, carminative and stimulant.
10. Coriander (Dhania):-
Botanical Name:- Coriandrum sativum
Family:- Umbbelliferae or Apliaceae
Economic Importance:-
> Fruits and leaves of this aromatic herb are widely used as condiment for flavouring curries and soups.
> It is cultivated on a large scale in U.P., M.P., Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and-Rajasthan.
> It is also used for flavouring purposes in several bakery preparations, liquors, tobacco products and several articles used as food.
> Coriander oil is also used in some perfumes.
> Its fresh leaves are used in preparing delicious chutneys.
> In several medicines, coriander fruits are used as stimulant, stomachic and carminative.
> Coriander fruits also serve as a good heart tonic.
11. Cardamom (Chhoti Elaichi):-
Botanical Name:- Elettaria cardamomum
Family:- Zingiberaceae
Economic Importance:-
> These are dried fruits which develop in the flowering shoots arising near the base of the stem.
> Plants of this tall herbaceous perennial are widely grown in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
> India is the largest producer of cardamom in the world.
> Fruits are ovoid, many-seeded and three-sided capsules with brownish black, triangular seeds.
> It is used as a flavoring agent and to promote the digestion. It is one of the ingredients of betel- nut chew.
> Cardamoms are used in curries, pickles, cakes, medicine and in other culinary purposes.
> It is a common and favourite masticatory in India.
