A spice is a seed, fruit, root, bark, or other plant material that is used to taste or colour food. Herbs, on the other hand, are the leaves, blossoms, or stems of plants that are used for seasoning or garnishing. Spices can be found in medicine, religious rites, cosmetics, and perfumery. Spices play an important role in how we cook and eat food across the world. Every spice has its distinct flavour and aroma, and its presence or absence may make or break a dish. We use a variety of spices in our daily cuisine, including cumin, black pepper, turmeric, coriander seeds etc. Spices are believed to have a variety of health benefits; in fact, it is the addition of a variety of spices to traditional Indian home-cooked food that makes it one of the healthiest meals consumed around the world. Spices have significant nutritional value and offer a variety of health advantages.
Here are some Indian spices that are beneficial to the human health-
Anise
In Chinese, Indian, Malaysian, and Indonesian cuisines, star anise is commonly used in cooking. Star anise is high in linalool, an essential oil, and vitamin C, two key antioxidants that protect the body from cellular damage caused by environmental pollutants.
Cumin seeds/ unsplash.com
