ADD SOME INTERESTING SPICE TO LIFE
Aromatic spices add flavor and color to the food. That they bring multiple health benefits is also well documented. Eastern traditions hinge on the use of flavoring in cooking. Indian cooking, in particular, relies heavily on the spicy twist condiments add to the curries — dal or lentil soup is never complete without that quintessential tadka!
Organic spices have gained wide popularity in recent times. These condiments are grown without using chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Since organic products are developed using certified processing and packaging, there is no chance of even unintentional mixing, contamination, or adulteration. Due to their unique benefits and taste, the organic spices of India have seen an enviable uptrend in the export market.
Historically, Indian spices have always captured the world’s attention. Centuries ago, black pepper from Kerala was one of the drivers of sea trade. Today, with the rise of the Indian Diaspora, spices like garam masala and seasoning herbs are ending up in plush restaurants all over the globe: from London to Paris and New York to Sydney. If desi food has found new shores, Indian spices have been a vital ingredient in the success.
Organic spices have their distinct aroma intact. Magically they turn any food into a special feast. Apart from making the main course delectable, spices like nutmeg also lift desserts, cookies, and beverages. In fact, these spices, seeds have many more uses. People the world over are ditching their regular cuppa and switching to herbal teas. And after a heavy meal, should a foodie feel bloated or his breath smells not that nice, what is the easiest go-to cure? Few things can match the effect of fennel seeds as a mouth freshener and digestive aid.
Adding zing and character to recipes is not their only suit. Spices work like a charm in everything from fixing skin allergies to boosting metabolism. But there is a red herring: a high chance of adulteration. Did you know that chemical agents are mixed with powdered spices to avoid lumping? Probably not. What adds to the woes is that many manufacturers do not even mention the names of additives chemicals in packaging.
Further, chemical fumigants used to kill bacteria make regular spices toxic. On the other hand, organic spices use methods like steaming to achieve the same purpose while keeping health hazards at bay. The use of chemical fertilizers spoils soil health. Chemicals in the soil leave residues in plant matter, and the poison works its way into the human body.
The use of synthetic and chemical fillers to enhance taste and weight is another popular mal-practice in the trade of regular spices. Everything from powdered dung to glutamic acid goes into the mix, packaged, and stacked on supermarket shelves for selling.
Fortunately, a whole new tide of health awareness has forced people to make a switch to organic spices; consumers trust them for their purity and hygiene. This is something regular roots, barks, berries, and seeds cannot guarantee.
The current pandemic has drawn attention to the immunity-boosting properties of herbs. These sharp flavoring agents build resistance to common colds, nourish and strengthen the nervous system. Organic spices and herbs are scaling new heights in popularity. They are truly the spice of life.
