 General Information Location: South Asia Population: 1,205,073,612 Language: 14 official languages (depending on province) -Hindi -English

 Cultural Influences Predominantly Islamic Middle-East Eastern Asia England

 Religion

 NO BEEF! Many Vegetarians Other common Dietary restrictions Eggs Onion Garlic

 Common Crops Rice Wheat Corn (maize) Coarse grains (gorghum and millets) Pulses( beans dried peas and lentils)

 Grains = 75% of total crop 33% Rice Rice is the staple food for eastern and southern parts of the country 29% Coarse Grains Sorghum and millet are mainly grown in dry areas. Grains

 Largest producer of ginger and okra Ranks second in production of potatoes, onions, cauliflower, brunjal, and cabbages. Ranks first in bananas, papayas, mangoes, lemons, and limes Other Crops

 Curry Powder Black Pepper Cinnamon Curry Leaf Fenugreek Saffron Spices

 Found in South India Developed During British Rule Mixture of Turmeric, coriander, cumin, fenugreek, mustard seed, chili powder, and black pepper Culinary Uses- Rice and Bread Curry Powder

 Found in South and East Asia Found in Berries (dried peppercorns from dried unripe berries) Used in ground or whole form Culinary Uses- Main ingredient in garam masala and in curry powder Used as flavoring on fish, vegetables, marinades, chutneys, and pickles Black Pepper

 South West India Found on a small tropical evergreen tree Found on the bark Rolled into “quills” (sticks) Powdered form Culinary Uses- garam masala, used in curries and rice dishes Examples: Biryani, Parsee fried rice Used on deserts and coffees Cinnamon

 Native to India Found on Pinnate leaves Curry-like aroma Must be used fresh Culinary Uses- flavors curries, lentils, vegetables, fish, meat, rice and pickles Curry Leaf

 Not Native to India but largest producer Widely naturalized Yellow/pale brown seed from a bean pod Culinary Uses- found in curry powder and other 5 spice blends Flavors South and East India curries, fish lentils, meats, vegetables, breads ect. Fenugreek

  Cultivated in the Tropics  Purple flower known as Crocus Sativus  Unique aroma (no substitute)  Most expensive labor intensive  Culinary uses- Color and Flavor dishes (golden yellow)  Used in Indian sweets, meats, fish, rice, and stews  Special Dishes- Biryani, Pulaos Saffron

 Spices%20A%20to%20Z Spices%20A%20to%20Z nalhandoutKapadiaIndianSpices-1.pdf nalhandoutKapadiaIndianSpices-1.pdf world-factbook/geos/in.html world-factbook/geos/in.html Sources