We all are aware of spices as flavoring agents used in cooking. It is surprising to know that, in some regions of the world, usage of spices is a part and parcel of traditions and customs. Besides that, spices have lately became very popular as a mandatory ingredient in all the worldwide famous delicacies, and why not, every spice with its unique flavor adds a uniqueness to the dish.
Being a food buff, especially a spicy dish lover, I always used to wonder how these small pieces called spices, though in little quantities, are able to give mouth watering flavors to the dish. This love for spices made me do a little research about them, which made me know that, spices are the plant parts. These parts may be a root, seed, fruits, bark, etc. Among them the most commonly heard and used spices in our daily diet are ginger, garlic and turmeric. Being very familiar with them I just made an attempt to know them in a little detail, which revealed that, these spices are the root parts of the plant and are so categorized as ‘Root type spices’. The roots are also called as ‘rhizomes’. These rhizomes are first dried and then used as spices. These spices appear brown from outside due to their placement underneath the soil. But among them, the one which varies is, turmeric, which though appears brown from outside is actually deep yellow inside. Whatever may be the form of administration, whole or powdered, they in any ways will add excellent flavor to your dish.
Apart from being heavy flavoring agents, these root type spices are also found to have many medicinal benefits which are widely known. So next time you are going to use these root spices, you are sure to make a tasty healthy dish.
