Spice Up Right

• Always buy sealed flavor lock packaged Black Peppercorns and in small quantities as they tend to lose its flavor and aroma very easily, if not stored properly.
• Look for products made without using pesticides and additives.
• Check for the packaging and expiry date.
• To ensure best flavor, look for peppercorns that are compact, round, wholesome, darker in shade and free of any blemishes – a signature of higher quality and more consistent flavor.
• Buy whole peppercorns and grind/crush them yourself in a mill just before adding to a recipe.

• Always buy sealed flavor lock packaged cardamom pods and in small quantities as they tend to lose its flavor and aroma very easily if not stored properly.
• Look for products made without using pesticides and additives.
• Check for the packaging and expiry date.
• Cardamom pods should have a good diameter at least 8mm plus.
• Split/ Open pods are a lower quality.
• Preferably buy green Cardamom pods as it can be utilised for both sweet or savory dishes.

• Always buy sealed flavor lock packaged cloves and in small quantities as they tend to lose its flavor and aroma very easily if not stored properly.
• Look for products made without using pesticides and additives.
• Check for the packaging and expiry date.
• The best way for clove powder is buying them whole and grinding them yourself. Once ground, store them in an air-tight container as they start to lose their volatile oil, which weakens their aroma.
• To test if whole cloves are still of good quality, place a few in a glass of water. If they float vertically, with their stems pointing down, they’re good to use. If they float horizontally or sink, they’ve passed their prime.
• When buying, look for cloves that are large – meaning you can clearly make out the head and stems and are reddish-brown in color.

• Always buy sealed flavor lock packaged cinnamon and in small quantities as they tend to lose its flavor and aroma very easily if not stored properly.
• Look for products made without using pesticides and additives.
• Check for the packaging and expiry date.
• True Cinnamon, will have a very pleasant, light, and slightly sweet taste, with just a tiny hint of spice.

• Always buy sealed flavor lock packaged Nutmeg and in small quantities as they tend to lose its flavor and aroma very easily if not stored properly.
• Look for products made without using pesticides and additives.
• Check for the packaging and expiry date.
• Nutmeg being hard can be ground and used in a powder form at home for better taste.

• Always buy sealed flavor lock packaged Nutmace and in small quantities as they tend to lose its flavor and aroma very easily if not stored properly.
• Look for products made without using pesticides and additives.
• Check for the packaging and expiry date.

•  Always buy sealed flavor lock packaged Turmeric Powder and in small quantities as they tend to lose its flavor and aroma very easily, if not stored properly.
• Look for products made without using pesticides and additives.
• Ensure to buy Turmeric Powder that is free of any fillers such as rice flour, chalk powder or starch and any synthetic colour dyes.
• The water test: This is one of the easiest ways to look out for adulteration. Take some warm water in a glass and drop a teaspoon of turmeric on the surface. Do not stir or mix it. Leave it for about 20 minutes and then check again. If the sediments settle down at the bottom of the glass and clear water stays above, your turmeric powder is pure. But if the water turns cloudy, it is possibly adulterated.

• Always buy sealed flavor lock packaged bay leaves and in small quantities as they tend to lose its flavor and aroma very easily if not stored properly.
• Look for products made without using pesticides and additives.
• Check for the packaging and expiry date.
• To ensure best flavor, buy dry bay leaves and store them correctly.

• Always buy sealed flavor lock packaged cinnamon and in small quantities as they tend to lose its flavor and aroma very easily if not stored properly.
• Look for products made without using pesticides and additives.
• Check for the packaging and expiry date.
• True Cinnamon, will have a very pleasant, light, and slightly sweet taste, with just a tiny hint of spice.

• Always buy sealed flavor lock packaged coriander seeds and in small quantities as they tend to lose its flavor and aroma very easily if not stored properly.
• Look for products made without using pesticides and additives.
• Check for the packaging and expiry date.
• The coriander seeds are greenish in colour; nearly globular in shape and smooth.
• Avoid purchasing crushed coriander seeds / coriander powder. Best is to grind / crush them at home just before use.