With so many geographical regions and cultural traditions in India, it's impossible to identify one single herb or spice that is characteristic of Indian cuisine. However, with its emphasis on bold, spicy flavors, Indian cooking frequently uses turmeric, cumin and coriander.
Turmeric is a classic Indian spice.
Turmeric
Warm, peppery and bitter, turmeric is featured in nearly all Indian meals and gives many popular Indian dishes their distinctive yellow color.
Cumin
Indian cooking utilizes both cumin seeds and ground cumin. Its earthy, pungent flavor is a well-known ingredient in Northern Indian tandoori dishes.
Coriander
Lemony and mild, coriander seeds and leaves are both very popular in Indian cooking. The seeds are an essential part of the garam masala spice mixture and are often roasted as a snack.
Popular Dishes
Turmeric, cumin and coriander are all typical ingredients in both masala and curry dishes, two of India's best-loved and best-known dishes.
Spice Mixtures
Curry powder, a spice blend that is a classic component of Indian cuisine, usually contains turmeric, cumin and coriander with other spices. Turmeric is well-known for giving curry powder its bright yellow color.
Tags: cumin coriander, Indian cooking, Indian cuisine, popular Indian, turmeric cumin coriander
