Glossary of Indian Spices in English, Hindi, Marathi and Tamil

Indian Spices

A Spice is a dried seed, fruit, root, bark or vegetable substance primarily used for flavouring, colouring or preserving food. Spices are used in different forms - whole, chopped, ground, roasted, sauteed, fried and as topping. They blend food to extract the nutrients and bind them in a palatable form. Spices are also used for health benefits and medicinal purposes to prevent diseases as many of them have antimicrobial properties. Indian food is known for extensive use of herbs and spices.

Here is a glossary of some of the commonly used Indian spices in English , Hindi , Marathi and Tamil.

Sr. No	English	Hindi	Marathi	Tamil
1	Aniseeds, Fennel Seeds	Saunf	Badishop	Sombu
2	Asafoetida	Hing	Hing	Perumkayam
3	Basil Seeds	Sabja	Sabja	Tulaci Vitaikal
4	Bay Leaf	Tej patta	Tamalpatra	Brinji elai
5	Big Mustard Seeds	Sarson	Sarsav	Periya katuku
6	Black Cardamom	Badi elaichi	Masala Veldoda	Peria elakkai
7	Black Cumin Seeds	Jeera	Jeera	Karu Seeragam
8	Black Mustard Seeds	Rai	Rai	Kadhugu
9	Black Pepper	Kali Mirch	Kali Miri	Milagu
10	Black Salt	Kala namak	Kala Mith	Karupu Uppum
11	Caraway Seeds	Shah Jeera	Shah Jeera	Peru seeragam
12	Carom seeds	Ajwain	Owa	Omam
13	Red chili Powder	Lal Mirch powder	Lal tikhat	Milagai tool
14	Cinnamon	Dalchini	Dalchini	Lavanga pattai
15	Clove	Laung	Lavang	Krambu
16	Coriander powder	Dhania powder	Dhane poodh	Dhaniya podi
17	Coriander seeds	Saboot Dhaniya	Dhane	Kotumali
18	Cumin seeds	Jeera	Jeera	Jeerakam
19	Curry leaves	Kadi patta	Kadipatta	Karuveppilai
20	Dry fenugreek leaves	Kasuri methi	kasturi methi	Vendhay elai
21	Dry Ginger	Saunth	Sunth	Sukku
22	Dry mango Powder	Aamchur	Aambyacha chur	Mangai podi
23	Fenu greek seeds	Methi dana	Methya dane	Menthiyam
24	Garlic	Lasan	Lasun	Poondu
25	Fresh ginger	Adarak	Ala	Inji
26	Green cardamom	Hari elaichi	Veldoda	Elakkai
27	Green chili	Hari mirch	Hirvi mirchi	Pachai milagai
28	Kokum	Bhirinda	Amsul	Murgal
29	Mace	Javitri, jayitri	Jaipatri	Jaipatri
30	Mint	Pudina	Pudina	Pudina
31	Nutmeg	Jaiphal	Jaiphal	Jhadikkai
32	Onion seeds, Nigella	Kalonji	Kandyacha bi	kalaunji
33	Dry Pomogranate seeds	Anardana	Dalimbacha bi
34	Poppy Seeds	Khus Khus	Khus Khus	Khasa Khasa
35	Raisins	Kismish	Bedane	Kaindha Dratchai
36	Red Chili	Lal Mirch	Lal Mirchi	Milakai vatral
37	Rock salt	Sendha Namak	Sendhe lon	Kal uppu
38	Stone/Rock flower	Pathar phool	Dagad Phool	Kal passi
39	Salt	Namak	Meeth	Uppu
40	Sesame Seeds	Til	Til	Ellu
41	Saffron	Kesar, Zafran	Keshar	Kumkumappu
42	Sichuan Pepper	Tirfal,tilfda	Trifalla	Ciccvan milaku
43	Star Anise	Chakri phool	Chakri phool	Lavanga poo
44	Sultana	Munacca	Manukka
45	Tamarind	Imli	Chincha	Puli
46	Turmuric	Haldi	Halad	Manjal
47	Vetiver	Kewra	Kewda	Vetiver
48	Watermelon Seeds	Magaj	Magaj

Note: If you happen to know a spice that is not mentioned in the list above, you can contribute it here in comment section. I will be happy to add your entry to the table.