Tips On How To Choose Best Quality Spices

Author: Vinod Mahadik

Indian food and its ingredients are as diverse as Indian culture. All the regions of India have different recipes with different taste and flavors. Indian whole spices and herbs are the true contributors to the exotic taste of Indian recipes. One can see that the balance of herbs and spices in Indian recipes are different in every region and it depends upon the availability of those spices in that particular area.

Exporting whole spices to various distributors, whole spices exporters in India have stores all over the world. Generally, on a day-to-day basis, usage of whole spices are overlooked, but its flavors retain its taste for a longer period in the food.

Whole spices suppliers in India prefer storing the spices in cool and dark places as they can become stale if they are exposed to light and moisture. So these whole spices should be properly stored in order to maintain its quality.

In the culinary of India, spices are an essential ingredient, as they play a pivotal role in flavoring the food and enriching its taste. Each and every spice is unique in their taste, color, flavor, active ingredients, and function on the human body, and this is the exact reason why most of the chefs of renowned restaurants are so particular in choosing their spices and purchasing those spices from an authentic source. Before buying the spices it is recommended that one should run a thorough check on the quality of the spices and the conditions of storage in the shop.

Before purchasing one should know a few things;

1. DATE OF MANUFACTURE SHOULD BE CHECKED

Before selecting the spices, one of the most crucial parameters is to check the time of manufacturing or procuring of the Indian whole spices. One needs to understand that every ingredient has a shelf life and the sooner one uses them after the collection from plants the better it will be. So when one buys spices from shops, they should always look for the label of procuring date. If one does not find the spices marked on the package, then try asking the store manager. One shouldn’t buy any products which are more than six months old as there is a certainty of developing fungal growth on them. With the passage of time, its essence and the active ingredients also get deteriorated. Quick consumption of these spices is better for health benefits as well as the taste.

2. STORAGE CONDITION SHOULD BE CHECKED

Before one selects the spices for their kitchen, they should make a tour of the entire shop to find out the condition of the storage room where the spices and other essential products are kept, and whether they are on different shelves or not. The shop should be attentive in maintaining hygiene and keeping everything clean and tidy. The chances of amalgamation of the products are prevented as well. If one finds the spices pouring out of its packets, or they aren’t in an air-tight container then it is better to not buy that product. It is recommended to purchase ingredients from shops where products remain arranged in a well-sorted manner in dry shelves and kept away from sunlight. This helps in maintaining the shelf life of the whole spices.

3. ALWAYS SHOP FROM AUTHENTIC SHOPS

When one buys spices, one should check its authenticity as that is a very crucial parameter. Some of the products like cumin, black pepper, saffron are quite small in size, so there is a chance of contamination with other products with similar appearance or with spices with inferior quality. The authentic shops are concerned about their brand image and they never go for such inferior means to get a quick profit. Before buying any products one should do online research about the reviews and ratings of the shop.

4. DO NOT BUY WHOLE SPICES JUST TO STORE THEM

Spices and the kitchen products, both have a limited shelf life. One should not purchase the whole spices in bulk quantity just to avail some cheap offers. Before procuring the spices one should always consider the consumption and monthly utilization of whole spices. The old spices don’t provide the flavor and authentic taste to one’s dishes, therefore it results in wasting one’s money.

Indian whole spices are generally used in dishes which needs to be simmered for a long time. One can also use whole spices in food by roasting them. Roasting brings out a deeper flavor but should make sure that the spices don’t get burnt while roasting. Get in touch for more info on whole spices.