• Ginger comes from the same family as turmeric
• Onions are the base for most north Indian curries
• Spices come from roots, barks, leaves, stems, berries, fruits and buds of plants
• Garam masala means a mixture of hot spices
• In Hindi, pulses are known as dal
  

Although curry powder is associated with Indian cuisine, it was invented by the British. Throughout the days of the Raj the word ‘curry’ evolved as a loose description of any Indian food cooked in a hot, spicy sauce

Okra is also known as lady fingers or bhindi in Hindi

If dry spices appear to have faded in colour, it’s very likely that they have lost their potency or flavour

Amchur or amchoor is mango powder - sour, unripe mangoes that are dried and sold in slices and powder. Their primary use is in Indian cooking, giving foods a sweet and sour flavour. It’s also used as meat tenderiser

Ghee is clarified butter: the clear butter fat is separated from the solids of buffalo (because of the high fat content) or cow’s milk. Although there’s no substitute for ghee, butter comes close

Until the early 19th century, spices were purchased whole and ground at home

Grinding breaks down the cell structure of spices, making them deliver flavour more quickly and blend into a dish. The finer the grind, the more rapid the release

The word “aroma” is the ancient Greek word for spice

During the Middle Ages, many towns assessed taxes and rents and kept their accounts in pepper, counting it out peppercorn by peppercorn

The lure of profits from the spice trade drove the Age of Discovery, as Portugal, Spain, England and Holland sailed to the East, competing for control of spice-producing lands. Portugal became one of the richest nations in Europe
Ninety percent of the international spice trade is in whole spices, paprika being the only spice sold ground in significant quantities. Curry powder is the only blend that is of any commercial importance

Rice is the staple diet of south India and forms the basis of every meal. Coconut is an important ingredient in all South Indian food

Cardamom is considered the queen of spices, with black pepper the king