Top 10 must-have spices from India while living abroad

Ghar ka khaana is an addiction that never goes away! You may be living ten thousand miles away from India but the craving for home-cooked food persists. Given that, cooking Indian food while staying abroad can be challenging, especially when you do not have the right ingredients in your kitchen pantry. You might be in the mood to recreate a home-cooked simple dal or sambhar recipe but may not have access to the correct ingredients. One of the key ingredients to unlock original Indian flavors is fresh Indian spices. On that note, this post lists the top 10 spices from India one must have handy to prepare authentic Indian cuisine and recreate the flavors and aromas of an Indian kitchen while staying abroad. Additionally, it also talks about the reason why one should buy spices directly from India rather than buying them abroad. Finally, it also details how Shoppin‘s personal shopping service can assist you in shopping for spices from India while staying abroad.

What are the 10 must-have spices from India while staying abroad?

If you are an NRI (non-resident Indian) staying abroad, there are many spices that you might miss from your home country. Here are ten must-have spices from India that can add flavor and depth to your cooking:

1. Turmeric: This golden-yellow spice is widely used in Indian cooking, and it has a warm, earthy flavor. Turmeric is known for its health benefits, and it’s often used as a natural food coloring. Turmeric is used in cooking dal, khichdi, sambhar, aloo, chicken, and many other recipes.
2. Cumin: Cumin has a warm, nutty flavor, and it’s used in many Indian dishes. It’s a key ingredient in many spice blends like garam masala. Cumin is used in cooking aloo jeera, palak curries, chicken recipes, and much more.
3. Coriander: The seeds of the coriander plant have a sweet, citrusy flavor, and they’re often used in Indian cooking. Ground coriander is an essential ingredient in many spice blends. Grounded coriander seeds are used in making masalas, soups, and a variety of curries.
4. Cardamom: This aromatic spice has a sweet, floral flavor and is often used in Indian desserts and chai tea. Cardamom is a key ingredient in making sweets like peda, barfi, payasam, kheer, and many others.
5. Mustard seeds: These tiny seeds pack a punch and add a unique flavor to dishes. They’re often used in pickling, chutneys, and curry dishes. Mustard seeds are used in most curries, tomato and coconut chutneys, and breakfast dishes like upma, poha among others.
6. Fenugreek: The leaves and seeds of this herb are used in Indian cooking, and they have a slightly bitter flavor. Fenugreek is often used in spice blends and is believed to have medicinal properties. Often used in making dosas, vadas, sabzis, and other recipes.
7. Red chili powder: This spice adds heat to dishes and is essential for making many Indian curries and chutneys. Red chilli powder is a staple ingredient in making chicken curries, sambhar, rasam, and vegetable sabzis.
8. Fennel: Fennel seeds have a licorice-like flavor and are often used in Indian cooking to aid digestion. It is often used as a mouth freshener, in tadka or tempering of dishes, and in pickles and chutneys.
9. Asafoetida: This pungent spice is used in small quantities to add flavor to dishes. It’s often used in vegetarian dishes as a substitute for garlic and onions. Also known as hing, it adds a unique flavor to dishes like fried rice, dal, and chicken curry.
10. Garam masala: This spice blend is made up of several different spices, including cumin, coriander, cinnamon, and cardamom. It’s often used in North Indian dishes and can add warmth and depth to your cooking. Garam masala is used in making biryani, vegetable and chicken curries, and many other recipes.

Apart from these, there are spices like star anise, clove, bay leaf, and many others indigenous to different parts of India having their own unique flavor and contribution to the dish. In summary, by having these essential Indian spices on hand, you can recreate the flavors and aromas of Indian cuisine in your own kitchen.

Why should I buy spices directly from India rather than buying them abroad?

You may wonder if it is worth buying spices directly from India instead of buying them abroad. Here are a few reasons why you may want to consider buying spices directly from India:

•  Quality: Spices that are sourced directly from India are often of higher quality than those found abroad. This is because spices are a major export for India, and many spices are grown and processed in the country itself. Buying directly from India can ensure that you are getting the freshest and most authentic spices available.
•  Variety: India is known for its diverse range of spices, and buying directly from India can give you access to a wider variety of spices that may not be readily available abroad. You can also find rare and exotic spices that are specific to certain regions of India.
•  Price: Buying directly from India can often be more affordable than buying from local stores abroad. This is because the cost of shipping is often offset by the lower cost of production and labor in India.
•  Supporting local farmers: By buying directly from India, you are supporting local farmers and small-scale spice producers. This can help sustain the livelihoods of those who work in the spice industry in India.
•  Cultural connection: Buying spices directly from India can also help you stay connected to your cultural roots and traditions. It can remind you of the flavors and aromas of home, and bring a taste of India to your kitchen.

However, it is important to note that buying directly from India may come with some challenges, such as language barriers, customs regulations, and longer shipping times. It is important to do your research and choose a reputable supplier to ensure that you are getting high-quality spices that meet your expectations.

How does Shoppin‘s personal shopping service assist in buying spices from India?

Shoppin‘s personal shopping service can provide you recommendations on spices for your specific needs and also get you the best deals from sellers in India. Shoppin‘s expert personal shoppers can visit local stores to showcase products via video call to ensure you get full satisfaction with your purchase. In case you face any payment issues, Shoppin offers to make the payment on your behalf. Along with that, by using Shoppin‘s consolidated parcel forwarding service, you can order a variety of spices and get them consolidated into one box to save on shipping costs. Here’s how to use Shoppin‘s personal shopping service:

1. Message your shopping list items on WhatsApp.
2. Shoppin will assign a personal shopper in India to understand your requirements and fulfill your shopping list.
3. Personal shopper shops for all your items from multiple online and offline stores then inspects the condition of all products and shares details/photos with you.
4. All the products are consolidated, packed, and shipped to your home abroad.
5. Enjoy authentic Indian products from your shopping list without any hassle.

With Shoppin‘s convenient personal shopping service, you can relish authentic Indian cuisine with fresh Indian spices from India. Happy cooking!

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