Curry powder is a spice mix of widely varying composition based on South Asian cuisine.
Curry powder is a pre-packaged blend of spices, leaning heavily on turmeric for colour, cumin for flavour, and dried chillies for heat. The curry powder is the Western cook’s shortcut to bold Indian flavour. The word "curry" is derived from the Tamil word Kari meaning "sauce, relish for rice".
Turmeric powder (curcuma longa), is a bright yellow powder made by grinding of mature underground stems, used for colouring and flavouring food and cosmetic purposes. It is loaded with many healthy nutrients such as protein, calcium, cooper, iron etc., so it is often used to treat a wide variety of health problems.
Today Cumin is cultivated and grown in many countries like India, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Mexico and China. It is quite easy to grow and adapts well in many climates. The strong aromatic smell and warm, bitter taste of Cumin fruits are due to the presence of a volatile oil, cumin aldehyde, which exists in the proportion 2.5 to 4%. It is used mainly where highly spiced foods are preferred like cheeses, pickles, sausages, soups, stews, stuffing, rice and bean dishes, and liqueurs.
Dried chillies, have been a part of the human diet. India is now the largest producer of chillies in the world. These are available throughout the year to add zest to flavourful dishes around the world and health to those brave enough to risk their fiery heat. This is the plant that puts fire on your tongue and maybe even a tear in your eye when you eat spicy Mexican, simmering Szechuan, smoldering Indian, or torrid Thai food. Chili peppers belong to the family of foods bearing the Latin name Capsicum.
Preparing tips:
Health tips:
It goes well with rice, idli, chapathi….. Very delicious food….must try!!!