About The Author
Hello! From Chuchura (in Hooghly District) and a foodie, I created this blog with a mission to preserve the food of the land; with a message to encourage and promote clean and real food. I hope you enjoy and gain out of this blog, happy reading!
Looking forward to read and hear your feedback.
Store-bought powdered spices are a waste of money.
In Indian cooking the basic spices are coriander, cumin, turmeric, red chilly. These spices are talked about in the same breath on a regular basis. And they are added all at once during the preparation.
Long back, like most twenty or thirty somethings in India, I used to stock up on store-bought powdered spices in my kitchen pantry, bought from local kirana stores and supermarkets.
It took me a while to realize that powdered spices were not providing me value for money. Here are a few issues that I faced.
Just like you should be doubly sure of the oil you use, you should also be mindful of the spices you are using.
Moisture – Biggest Enemy of Powdered Spices
Powdered spices attract moisture like a magnet.
Whole spices are processed, ground and packaged in factories, before being shipped to local kirana stores and supermarkets in different packaging. And this is where you procure your regular spices from.
Like most Indians, you would unpack the spice and store it in your spice container. Many would not work so hard, and would simply tie up the open ends with a band.
In either case the spice begins to absorb moisture, lose its flavor and get spoilt. The spice reduces to a hard rubble and using it in cooking will render the food tasteless.
Not to forget the monsoon, when most powdered spices go bad.
An Important Note
One of the best ways to avoid this is to buy the five-rupee packets from the market. This way the spice gets used the moment you unpack it. However, it increases your cost and at the end of the year you would find a hole in your pocket.
Loss of Taste & Flavor
The high heat in the processing plants destroy half the flavor of the spices.
By the time you use a store-bought powdered spice for the first time, the spice has aged considerably as it traveled from the lush fields to your pantry.
You must have noticed powdered spices lose its taste and flavor gradually over time, making you wonder on what when wrong and how to avoid it.
Remember
Store bought powdered spices have already aged when you purchase them and it loses flavor gradually once you have unpacked it.
More Spice Per Serving
Once you find that the taste and flavor is not optimum or missing, you add more spice to your dishes. You hope that more spice would help your dish stand out.
Sadly, it does not. You end up in kitchen longer than usual, hoping and praying for a miracle.
Remember
While the spice starts to lose flavor, increasing the quantity will only increase your time spent in the kitchen trying to cook the spice off, which can impact the health of your family.
Adulteration Is A Big Issue with Store-Bought Powdered Spices
Store-bought powdered spices can be adulterated, which means, you are paying your hard-earned money to get stuff that contains ingredients that you would not put into your digestive system.
Very recently, I got my hands on organic turmeric powder and it failed the simple adulteration test.
Remember
Powdered spice bought from stores can be adulterated
Not Eco-friendly
The packaging is certainly not eco-friendly. Plastics need to go.
Whole spices too come in plastic packaging, but you don’t need much spice when you have a good home-ground spice mix in your curries.
These are major reasons why I prefer to make my own spice.
I have also written in brief on how to buy, prepare and store your own spice.
An Aromatic Process
Last and more importantly, I personally enjoy the whole process.
From unpacking the whole spices and lightly dry roasting them produces wonderful aroma, to grinding them into a fine powder and storing them in a container.
And once everything is done, the aroma lingers on in the kitchen, permeates your living rooms making you feel better.
Take Action – Prepare Your Own Spice Powders
This is an activity you should try. And as I have already mentioned earlier, it does not take much effort, which is compensated by better flavors in your food and an assurance that you are using the best spices.
You can start with the basic spice powders like cumin, coriander and chilli. And if you are happy with the result, you can try out your own garam masala spice blend.
Preparing your own spice powders is very easy.
What You Need to Powder Your Spices
You need not make any purchase except the spice storage containers. All of these are readily available in all kitchens.
- Mixer-grinder or mortar pestle – Use a mortar pestle for the complete experience with top notch flavors. If you are short of time, use a mixer-grind like I always do
- Storage containers – Ensure that you buy air-tight containers. Avoid plastic. Use wooden or glass containers
- Wok or Sauce Pan or Frying Pan – This will be used for dry roasting the spices
- Spatula or Spoon
Here’s a few recommendations for storage containers for your spices.
How to Make Your Own Powdered Spices
As I said, making a spice powder is easy. Here’s what you need to do.
Dry Roast Your Spices on a Medium Heat
Add the whole spices to the wok or frying pan and gently roast it on a low flame for 2-3 minutes. Take care to not burn your spices.
Dry roasting your spices ensures that the essential oils in the spices are activated and enhance its flavors when you grind them to a powder
Grind to a Fine Powder
Allow the spices to rest for about 5 minutes. This helps the spices to cool down and not get burnt when you grind them in the mixie.
Pour it into a mixer-grinder and grind it to a powder. If you notice some coarseness in the powder, do not worry.
Store Properly
Ensure that you have a clean and dry container. Pour the pour carefully in the container and tightly close the lid.
Store the spice containers in a dry place away from sunlight.
Isn’t it so easy to prepare your own spices?
And if nothing satisfies you, ensure you buy spice powders from brands that have well-established and transparent methods.