Spices: Getting Started

Whether your interest is good health or simply good eating, Indian spices provide a full palette of aromatic, pungent, colorful, flavorful choices. The following are the spices available in our Mystic Kitchen Starter Spice Box. Learn about these spices and then graduate to our Advanced Spice Box for budding Mystic Master Chefs!

Coriander Powder | A warm, aromatic, and sweet spice, Coriander powder is widely used in several kinds of foods, drinks, and even in perfume.

Cumin Seeds | An aromatic, rather than hot spice. Its flavor is released when lightly roasted in a frying pan before using. Often sprinkled over yogurt dishes, such as raitas and chutneys.

Cumin Powder | Indian cumin finds worldwide use in foods, beverages, liquors, medicines, toiletries and perfumery. The spice is of particular value in the blending of Indian curry powder.

Turmeric Powder | Turmeric is a brilliant yellow spice closely related to ginger. Indian turmeric is well known for its earthy flavor, as an ingredient in medicines and cosmetics, as well as a natural dye. Its medical properties are associated with its curcumin content, which also imparts the distinctive yellow color to the spice.

Chili Powder | Bright red, pungent Chili powder is an essential ingredient in India curry and essential to any spice kitchen. Chili is the widely used throughout India and is cultivated in all regions of the country.

Garam Masala Powder | Garam means “hot” and masala means “spices.” Cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and bay leaves all form part of garam masala powder. Garam masala, with its powerful flavors, is best used with meat and rice, and only rarely with fish or vegetables.

Whole Spices | Bay Leaves, Cardamom pods, cinnamon sticks, and whole cloves – all add flavor and aroma to a wide array of Indian foods.