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2.1 Introduction to spicesIndia is known as the 'The home of spices'. There is no other country in the world that produces

as many kinds of spices as India. The climate of the country is suitable for almost all spices. In

India, spices are the important commercial crop from the point of view of domestic consumption

and export.

Spices constitute an important group of agricultural commodities which are virtually

indispensable in the culinary art. In India, spices are important commercial crops from the point

of view of both domestic consumption and export. Besides, huge quantities of spices are also

being consumed within the country for flavouring foods and are also used in medicine,

pharmaceutical, perfumery, cosmetics and several other industries.

According to the International Organization For Standardization (ISO); The term 'spices

and condiments' applies to such natural plant or vegetable products or mixtures thereof, in whole

or ground form, as are used for imparting flavour, aroma and piquancy to and for seasoning of

foods".

There are over 80 spices grown in different parts of the world and around 50 spices are grown in

India. The spices that India can offer in abundant quantities are pepper, ginger, turmeric,chilli, cardamom, celery, fenugreek, fennel, cumin, dill, coriander, cinnamon, ajowan (bishop's

weed), cassia, clove, nutmeg and mace.

Major spices of export are pepper, cumin, cardamom, ginger, turmeric and chillies. Other minor

spices include ajowan, aniseed, celery seed, caraway, fennel, fenugreek, coriander, garlic, onion,

saffron, vanilla etc. Among the spices exported, pepper has the leading position in terms of both

quantity and value realised. The 'Alleppey Green' Cardamom is considered the best grade

available in the world.

Among the spices exported pepper has the leading position in term of both quantity and value

realized. The alleppey green cardamom is considered the best grade available in the world.

2.2 History of spices

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The history of Indian spices dates back to 7000 year in the past. The fame of Indian spices is

older than the recorded history. It is believed that the Parthian wars were being fought by

Rome largely to keep open the trade route to India. It is also said that Indian spices and her

famed products were the main lure for crusades and expeditions to the east. The people of

those times used spices, as we do today, to enhance or vary the flavor of their foods.

Spices have played a dramatic role in the development of western civilization. Spices today are

plentiful and are used mostly as flavorings. However, in ancient and medieval times, they were

rare and precious products, used for medicine, perfume, incense, and flavoring.

Spices have been the catalysts of some of the greatest adventures in the human history, like

Christopher Columbus, voyage. Still today, spices empower us as explorers, even if we never

journey beyond the kitchen counter. They energize our daily adventure in food and remind us

of journey to toxic places and favorite meals with loved ones.

Thanks to the vogue of international travel, we can engage in our own spice conquest now. We

can stroll through market stalls around the world spices, perfumes, and exotic plants and

flowers enchant the sense. And when we take these scents and tastes of far-reaching places

back to our home, we are again compelled to discover the allure of the unknown.

2.3 Major Spices grown in India

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AsafoetiA popular spice in foods and medicines

Cardamom

The Queen of all spices

ChilliGrown throughout the country and is used in almost all dishes.

Cinnamon

It is the dried bark of an evergreen busy tree.

Cumin

It has a particular value in the blending of Indian curry powder.

Fennel

The dried ripe fruit of a perennial aromatic herbaceous plant.

Ginger

A major crop cultivated in India marketed as fresh and dried spice.

Mustard

It is used for its appetising flavour and preservative value

Parsley

One of the best known and used in culinary spices

Pomegranate

It is endowed with excellent medicinal properties.

Turmeric

The spice is quite popular in foreign countries.

Bishops Weed

A native Indian plant is an aromatic spice.

Cassia

The dried husk of a small, bushy evergreen tree

Clove

One of the oldest spices in the world.

Coriander

The fragrant spice has its own medicinal properties.

FenugreekThe ripe, dried fruit of an annual leguminous herb.

Garlic

It has an attractive flavour and acknowledged medicinal value.

Mint

Mint is the erec plant with dark green leaves with pleasant flavour

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Onion

One of the oldest spices known to human race.

Pepper

The king of all spices and best known in the world

RosemaryThe spice is quite popular in foreign countries.

Vanilla

Vanilla is a seed pod of a tropical climbingorchid.

2.3 Spices growing states in India

States Spices

Andhra Pradesh Chilli, ginger, turmeric

Arunachal Pradesh Ginger, tejpat, turmeric

Assam Aniseed, turmeric

Bihar Avjoin, garlic, turmeric

Gujarat Chilli, cumin, dilseed, fennel, garlic

Haryana Garlic

Himachal Pradesh Ginger

Jammu & Kashmir Avjoin, saffron, cardamom, chilli, garlic,

clove, ginger, pepper, turmeric, vanilla

Karnataka Cardamom, clove, ginger, pepper, pepper,

cinnamon & cassica, mace

Kerala Turmeric, vanilla

Madhya Pradesh Chilli, garlic, ginger

Maharastra Turmeric, chilli, garlic, pomegrated seed

Meghalaya Ginger, turmeric

Mizoram Ginger

Orissa Chilli, garlic, ginger, turmeric

Punjab Aniseed, celery

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Rajasthan Chilli, cumin, coriander, dilseed, garlic, fennel

Sikkim Cardamom, ginger, tejpat

Tamil Nadu Turmeric, vanilla

Tripura Turmeric, aniseed, celery, chilli, cumin, fennel,

garlic

Uttar Pradesh Turmeric

West Bengal Cardamom, chilli, ginger, turmeric