Indian cuisine occupies a very unique position among the culinary taste buds in the world. Very few cuisines encompass such a wide variety of spices in their dishes. The Indian cuisine has been perceived as “hot” but its not always so. Adding spices not only brings out the real zest in the dishes, but also has several added health benefits. So the next time you dive into that Mutton Curry or Dal Baati after the delectable Tandoori Tikka platter on Bite Club’s menu you are doing a great service to your tongue as well as your body.
Turmeric: Turmeric is the staple of many Indian dishes. Besides adding a dash of yellow, it also has a plethora of health benefits. There is a scientific reason behind your grandma recommending you to have turmeric with a glass of milk in times of the flu and cold. Rich in antioxidants it helps fight alzheimer’s and cancer. Enjoy our methi gatta curry or a spoonful of our Rajasthani kadhi cooked to perfection thanks to this powdery spice.
Coriander: This humble spice we see floating or used as garnish in our dishes may not provoke any thought but this spice that you’d often remember being given free with vegetables has tremendous effect on our physiology. For the record coriander has been in culinary existence for the past 7000 years. It helps in reducing cholesterol and also relieves stress in diabetic patients. Try Bite Club’s comforting Lemon Coriander soup or dig into Dhaniya Murg on days you have those meat cravings. Whatever you may choose to order from our diverse menu, this humble green leaf will always make its presence felt.
Cardamom: No cup of Indian tea is complete without a dash of cardamom in it. Besides flavouring your favourite chai and enhancing the aroma of a wide variety of food and desserts, it aids in reducing blood pressure. The best part of cardamom is that unlike other spices it can be had raw and is often used as a natural mouth freshener by many. Include it in your chai next time you get a runny nose or enjoy the subtlety of it in Bite Club’s Kesari Kheer.
Ginger: Ginger has a long history in the Indian cuisine. It is the omnipresent ingredient that vanishes in taste after cooking. Ginger garlic paste or just ginger paste forms the backbone of almost every Indian meal. Used in the art of Ayurveda, it has been acknowledged for its effectiveness in curing digestive problems. In times of a sore throat or cold, biting a small piece of ginger can bring great relief. Ginger also immensely helps in combating arthritis. A study has shown that consuming ginger resulted in a 40% improvement in patients suffering from osteoarthritis. Be it Bite Club’s Ginger Mint Chaach for that refreshing cool down on a hot summer day or the quintessential dal. When the heart yearns for something simple this spice will for sure garnish your senses.
Cumin seeds: This is the spice we see everyday yet tend to ignore the wonder it does for our bodies. It has antiseptic properties which boosts the immune system. It also helps cure regular gastrointestinal diseases like stomach pain, indigestion, and many more. Moreover they are rich in iron. Make them a permanent ingredient in your daily cooking, just like the chefs at Biteclub do when they serve you the simple Jeera Rice, tangy Chatpate Chole, or that hot piping sambhar. It is sure to leave you with that rustic feeling of Indian food.
Clove: The clove is a very unique spice due to its wide variety of usage in toothpastes, creams and curries. The oil from clove is good at treating gum related diseases. In fact, you might remember chewing on a clove when your gum ached. If you get a bite of this in Bite Club’s handmade sumptuous Biriyani, you can thank this awesome little spice for keeping those gums healthy.
Cinnamon: That hint of lingering sweetness in the air that one experiences after a dish has been cooked is often of cinnamon. Besides adding a last minute aura to the food, it helps in fighting Type 2 diabetes by increasing the insulin action. Challenge yourself in spotting this gentleman of a spice in Bite Club’s lip smacking curries.
Seriously, who knew those colorful jars of spices stacked away in our kitchens could do so much more — from stopping Alzheimers to keeping our digestive system on track. Even if vegetables or fruits are the real star in our dishes, they spices create magic in giving them life. Bite Club’s ever expanding menu featuring chef prepared food with dollops of love and care couldn’t be the same without these spicy superstars.
Which spices do you use for cooking? Which spice reminds you of your childhood when your mother would toil away in the kitchen to put a high quality meal on your table? Love ‘em as much as you can, for indeed “variety is the spice of our lives”
(This post is penned by Gurudutt Biswal, a young and talented student pursuing Advertising & Public Relations at Indian Institute of Mass Communication.)
