Spices have been an integral part of our food since centuries. Spices and its products are used as whole and in powder form. It not just excites our taste buds but are composed of an impressive list of phytonutrients, essential oils, antioxidants, minerals and vitamins that are essential for overall wellness. Spices contain a long variety of chemical compounds generated from plants that have been shown to have disease-preventing and health-promoting qualities. They’ve been used for anti-inflammatory, carminative, and anti-flatulent qualities since ancient times. The active ingredients in spices may aid digestion by enhancing intestinal tract motility and increasing digestive capacity by promoting excessive release of gastro-intestinal enzymes inside the gut. Spices are aromatic or pungent in flavours or peppery or slightly bitter to taste. To keep their flavours and fragrance intact, they are basically added while cooking recipes and some are added at the final moment of the cooking process since prolonged cooking results in evaporation of much of their essential oils.
Spices are mixed in barbeque sauces, season soups, in pickles, and as a main ingredient in a variety of curry powders. They also enhance taste and aroma in the preparation of meat and other vegetable flavours. The taste of the food then consumed will linger in the tongue for a longer time.
There are varieties of spices used in the process of cooking. Each spice has its own benefit, essence and flavour when consumed in an appropriate quantity. Some of the important spices are pepper, cardamom, chilli, ginger, turmeric, coriander, cumin, fennel, fenugreek, celery, saffron, tamarind and garlic. Clove, nutmeg, mace, star-anise, and allspice are tree spices. Rosemary, thyme, marjoram, oregano, chive, parsley, and basil are herbal spices.
A bouquet of spices make the healthiest meal as they provide notable nutritional values and come with major health benefits. Spices are powerful medicines that are free from side-affects that make prescription medicines dangerous. A few medicinal benefits from spices; Curcumin (a compound in turmeric) combats inflammation, Capsaicin (an active component of chili peppers) helps fight cancer cell, Cumin & Turmeric helps kill bacteria, Sage can improve brain function and memory. The list goes on as each spice has its medicinal benefits to improve good health. It doesn’t matter if you lean sweet or savoury, spices can be incorporated into any diet. They even increase two feel-good chemicals in the body – endorphins and dopamine. It aids in cutting down the amount of unhealthy fats and sweets.
Combination of different spices give result to an amazing new recipe. But salt and pepper remain irreplaceable. Keeping a small kit of top spices designed for fast, healthy, and flavourful meals can expand one’s collection in the kitchen without buying so many or before tossing them before they expire.