Pepper : Black Pepper are dried berries of a perennial tropical climbing vine which is native to the evergreen hill forests located in the state of Kerala in India. Pepper are small green and red coloured berries which turn black on drying. Black Pepper which have a sharp strong aroma and woody undertones.

How to store:

Black Pepper should be stored in a cool airtight containers away from direct sunlight.

Benefits:

• Universally used spice condiment used around the globe
• Rich in anti-oxidants , helps to reduce macular degeneration
• Natural Pain Killer and Analgesic
• Anti-pyretic
• Anti-microbial properties
• Carminative and Diuretic properties

Culinary Uses:

Popularly used to flavour egg dishes like egg omelettes globally. Also used to season Soups, Sauces, Stews, Savoury Dishes

Medicinal Uses:

• Used in Ayurveda medicines to heal cough
• Anti inflammatory properties, Natural Pain Killer
• Helps in bio-availability of curcumin

Green Cardamom : Green Cardamom is a perennial tropical exotic herb which is native to the evergreen hill forests located in the state of Kerala in India. Green Cardamom are small green coloured spice pods with tiny black seeds inside which have a warm earthy aroma , sweet fragrance and light spicy undertones.

How to store:

Rich in flavonoidss, preferably green cardamom pods should be stored in a cool airtight containers away from direct sunlight.

Benefits:

• Rich in antioxidants, helps to cleanse by flushing the toxins
• Natural breath freshener; Has natural flavonoids
• Detoxifying, Diuretic and digestive properties, used in Ayurvedic medicines
• Heals lungs from toxic Air pollution and also Helps to quit smoking
• Has phytochemicals, which have cancer protective effects
• Also relieves intestinal spasms and menstrual cramps

Culinary Uses:

Popularly used to flavour beverages like milk, Smoothies, Teas, Coffee, Used in desserts, Sweets, Savoury Curries, Flavoured Rice, breads, cakes, buns. Add to Garam Masalas and Curry Powders

Medicinal Uses:

• Has Anti-bacterial and Antiseptic properties, Hence used extensively in Ayurveda to balance the doshas
• Helps prevent nausea
• Anti inflammatory properties which helps lung infections like asthma

Cinnamon : Cinnamon is the dried inner bark rolls of tropical evergreen trees which is native to the forests in the state of Kerala in India. These cinnamon rolls are very aromatic and have delicate aromas.

How to store:

Preferably Cinnamon should be stored in a cool airtight containers away from direct sunlight.

Benefits:

• Rich in polyphenols antioxidants
• Anti-Microbial properties
• Natural remedy for stomach upsets and diarrhoea
• Anti - Diabetic properties
• Helps lowers cholesterol levels

Culinary Uses:

Popularly used for baking apple pies, breads, cakes, biscuits, shortbreads cookies and adding flavour to Savoury curries

Medicinal Uses:

• Has a soothing effect, Used in doshas balance of the body in Ayurveda medicines
• Has carminative effects
• Helps lower blood sugar levels

Cloves : Cloves are dried dark brown intense unopened flower buds of tropical evergreen trees which is native to the forests in the state of Kerala in India.

How to store:

Preferably Cloves should be stored in a cool airtight containers away from direct sunlight.

Benefits:

• Intense flavour
• Natural Insect Repellant properties
• Natural breath freshner
• Anti-inflammatory properties
• Anti-bacterial properties

Culinary Uses:

Popularly used for Savoury dishes and baking spiced gingerbread cookies

Medicinal Uses:

• Cloves are used in clove oil based dental medicines to provide pain relief
• Used in Ayurveda medicines to treat sore throat infections

Dry Ginger : Dry Ginger is a dried underground stem of a tropical rhizome herb which is native to the evergreen forests located in the state of Kerala in India. Dry Ginger are sun dried to ensure longer shelf life. Dry Ginger has strong aroma and pungent sharp flavour.

How to store:

Dry Ginger should be stored in a cool airtight containers away from moisture and direct sunlight.

Benefits:

• Helps to heal digestive ailments
• Helps heal sore throat pain and joint pains
• Provides relief from constipation
• Helps in detoxification
• Reduces menstrual pains
• Anti-microbial properties

Culinary Uses:

Popularly used to flavour herbal tea brews, ginger ale. Also used to season Ginger breads, ginger cookies, table sauces and creams.

Medicinal Uses:

• Used in Ayurveda medicines to heal cough and constipation
• Anti inflammatory and pain relieving properties
• Helps lower lipid and blood sugar levels

Nutmace : Mace are dried red coloured lace - like outer covering or aril surrounding the nutmeg seeds belonging to dark leaved evergreen trees which is native to the tropical forests in the state of Kerala in India.

How to store:

Preferably Mace blades should be stored in a cool airtight containers away from direct sunlight.

Benefits:

• High in Manganese, helps improve blood circulation
• Helps in relief from constipation
• High in antioxidants, prevents cancer growth
• High in vitamins, helps reduces stress, anxiety issues

Culinary Uses:

Popularly used for baking, flaxouring sauces, soups and rice dishes.

Medicinal Uses:

• Used in Ayurveda medicines to treat kidney stones and other kidney ailments
• Used to improve sleep and has mild sedative effects
• Mace is infused in massage oils to provide relief from muscle pains
• Helps boost cognitive function, especially for dementia

Nutmeg : Nutmeg are dried brown kernel seed of yellow fruit belonging to dark leaved evergreen nutmeg trees which is native to the tropical forests in the state of Kerala in India. It has a warm strong aroma, nutty strong flavour and should be used in small quantities.

How to store:

Preferably Nutmeg should be stored in a cool airtight containers away from direct sunlight.

Benefits:

• High in Antioxidants and has a very Intense flavour
• Helps induce better sleep and improve memory
• Helps to increase menstrual flow
• Carminative properties

Culinary Uses:

Popularly used for flavouring custards, puddings, pies, spice cakes and cheese sauces. Always use lesser quantities due to the intense flavour.

Medicinal Uses:

• Used in Ayurveda medicines to treat Alzheimer’s disorders
• Used to treat stomach pains along with honey
• Anti-bacterial properties
• Helps reduce depression

Star Anise : Star Anise are dried brown star shaped fruit belonging to evergreen trees which is native to the tropical forests in the state of Kerala in India. Star Anise has a warm aroma and strong anise flavour.

How to store:

Preferably Star Anise should be stored in a cool airtight containers away from direct sunlight.

Benefits:

• High in flavanoids, polyphenols
• Anti-fungal, Anti-viral and Anti-bacterial properties
• Carminative properties

Culinary Uses:

• Popularly used for flavouring Chinese sauces and dishes
• Used in preparing anise flavoured liqueurs
• Used in fruit Compotes
• Used in preparation of Chinese five spice mix and Indian garam masala mix too

Medicinal Uses:

• Used in pharmaceutical industry to make anti-viral medications
• Used in Chinese medicines to treat digestive ailments