5 Expensive Spices with their Medicinal Values

When it comes to the cost of spices, it’s always at the high end due to its limited use and thus cultivation. Mostly all spices are expensive but there are some spices that top the list! Despite it being so expensive, Indian Spices Exporters have established a new milestone in the export of spices in the year 2016-17 by touching 9,47,790 tones.
Let’s have insight into the spices that top the list due to its expensiveness!
Saffron
Saffron comes on the list of most expensive spices that is widely used in various segments. It is mainly cultivated in Greece, Spain, India, and Iran with the premium quality saffron coming from Kashmir. It is also termed as ‘king of spices’ that has been popularly used in more than 4000 years that include Romans, Persians, and Greeks. It’s used for color and to flavor the food, perfume baths, temples, and also used as a medicinal narcotic. It has also found a place in culinary affairs, cosmetics, medicines, and staining. You may find different varieties and brands of this spice, and if you come across any inexpensive saffron, its purity is compromised.
Clove
This spice is native to Indonesia but is also grown in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Zanzibar. In addition to using it for culinary purpose, clove is also applied as an ant repellant. It ranks 4th most expensive spice which cost $10 per pound in the global market. Having anti-oxidant properties, it reduces the blood sugar level. With its intense aroma, it is mostly used to flavor most Indian dishes, hot beverages, and pies. Its essence is also used in perfumes and its oil is applied in oil as an antiseptic due to its medicinal benefits. It is also a part of Indian Ayurvedic medicine and in China, it is known as a dental painkiller.
Cardamom
Native to India, Guatemala is the largest exporter and producer of cardamom closely followed by India. Due to its labor-intensive harvesting process, the small black seed pods are filled with smoky aroma, which is used for biryanis and curries. The cardamom is used in curries and biryanis and also to spice the sweet dishes. Due to its medicinal value, it is also used in treating gum, teeth and digestive disorders.
Pepper
In ancient times peppercorns, also termed as ‘black gold’, are used as a form of money. Black pepper is mostly traded and used in the culinary art. Due to its hot and pungent spiciness, it costs up to $3 per pound in the global market. It is widely cultivated in South India, but also grown in tropical regions like Vietnam which is the largest product and exporter of this spice. It is used as traditional medicine and as a flavor both in its dried ground form.
Synopsis
Having such a huge business opportunities, masala manufacturers in India have already made a presence felt in the global landscape. Given the present scenario, it is a great opportunity for masala manufactures in India to explore the growing market for spices.

Why Should You Buy Dill ?

  

Dill weed comes from same family as bay leaf, parsley, and cumin. It was originated in the Mediterranean region and it’s in use since ancient Rome and Greek times in the form of medicine and spices both. It contains various types of useful nutrients, like manganese, calcium, iron etc. which are beneficial for the health of human being. It is also packed with flavonoids and considered as great herb with antioxidant and antiviral properties.

Cholesterol

In a study it was discovered that regular oral application of dill extract when used on rats for two weeks reduced cholesterol and also lowered the density lipoprotein cholesterol. It shows that it is a promising ingredient that can be used as a heart-protective agent.

Diabetes

You can buy dill Seed for maintaining the diabetic insulin levels, albeit the studies have only been conducted on laboratory animals, but it has been discovered that it has reduced the impact of serum glucose and insulin, showing that this ingredient can be used to regulate diabetes.

Digestion

This herb can also trigger digestion. Due to its antispasmodic properties, it soothes cramping and any type of stomach pain. It is also instrumental in inhibiting acid secretion and promoting development of stomach lesions thus supporting anti-ulcer activity.

Menstrual Cycle

Yet another benefit of dill weed is it also helps in menstrual cycle in women. It promotes longer estrous cycles and elevates blood progesterone concentrations that can stabilize irregular menstrual cycles in women, which can also act as an antifertility agent.

Synopsis

In addition to above stated benefit there are several other medicinal and health benefits of dill weed that includes its combating potential against free radicals due to its antioxidant properties. Considering the above facts, it’s advisable to incorporate dill into your daily diet to have a good dose of its health benefits in your day-to-day meal.

Know All About Cumin Seed

Jeera or cumin is a spice known to have medicinal properties that is widely used in India and many other Asian countries. It is a native of the land of Mediterranean but is now also cultivated in India, Egypt, Turkey, Syria, China and some parts of America. It is mainly grown in hot climatic conditions.

Major Cultivators of Cumin

India being the largest cultivator and consumer of Jeera across the world, its produce is estimated to be around 200,000 ton per year. Rajasthan and Gujarat are the primary cultivating centers of the spice in the country. In addition, UP, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Punjab are also instrumental in contributing their part to Indian output.

Why to Buy Cumin

Nevertheless, the small cumin seed appears to be rather unassuming, its nutty peppery taste carries a punch when it is added to chili and other Mexican and Tex-Mex dishes in the form of cumin powder, it also plays an important role in Middle Eastern and Indian cuisine where it is considered to be the key component of curry powder used in most dishes. Both whole and ground cumin are available year round.

Estimated Production

Global production of cumin seed is estimated to be less than 300,000 ton per year with huge chunk of produce coming from Asian countries. The global demand for jeera is nearly 30,000 ton per year with major cumin seeds exporters being India, Syria, Turkey Iran etc.

 
Price Determination

As India is the largest producer and consumer, the price of Jeera is mostly ascertained by several domestic factors. In addition, seasonal nature and it fluctuations in global demand and supply also influences the price. It has also now become a major commodity being traded in the futures exchanges of the country.

Supply Chain

Jeera is sown in October-November in India and harvested in February. Fresh crop usually reaches the market in March. Unjha in Gujarat, Delhi, Jaipur and Rajkot are know as to be the hub to cumin seed exporters and major terminal markets for Jeera.

Cumin Seed Buyers
India exports cumin seeds mainly to the US, UK, Brazil, Bangladesh, Japan, Singapore and several other countries across the globe.

Can Fenugreek Lower Blood Sugar?

Fenugreek is a native plant of Western Asia and Europe region. The leaves of this plant are edible and its small rectangle shaped brown seeds are popular for it medicinal benefits.

Ancient Uses

It was initially recorded to be used way back in 1500 B.C., in ancient Egypt. After that in the central part of East and South Asia, fenugreek seeds were used as medicine spice both. It’s known to be helpful in following condition:

•  inducing childbirth
•  kidney problems
• problems breastfeeding
• digestive issues
• arthritis
• menopausal signs

Modern Uses

Nowadays, fenugreek is mostly used to cure:

• diabetes
• eczema
• loss of appetite
• high cholesterol

These days you should buy fenugreek as supplement, spice, as a tea, or in the form of a skin cream. It is today also used in Indian cuisines. It is used also as supplements, in creams, teas, and it can also be found at an online food store.

Can it Help to Control Blood Sugar Level?

There are several studies conducted that proclaim that fenugreek is an effective remedy for many medical conditions. As per the scientific studies these seeds have the potential to reduce the blood sugar level in people having diabetes.

This study could be true as it contains fiber and other component that can cut down the speed of digestion and the body’s process of absorption of sugar and carbohydrates. It may also better the way the body churns sugar and enhances the quantity of insulin generated. 

How safe it is?

The quantity of fenugreek that is generally used in preparing food is considered safe. It may create gas and bloating if taken in large dosage.

It is not advisable for pregnant women or can limit fenugreek use to only that quantity that is used in day to day cooking.

Incorporating it to Your Diet

It has somewhat bitter and nutty taste, better to use in spice mix than alone. You can use it in your curries, sauces, vegetables and pickles. You can take in your tea or add powdered fenugreek over your yogurt.

Synopsis

In case you are not aware how to use this seed in your regular diet, a dietitian can advise you to incorporate it to your diabetes meal plan.

Top 5 Health Benefits of Sesame Seeds

Sesame seeds are amazingly healthy food used for nearly 5,000 years. It is one of the most nutrient-filled foods widely used for years to today. It is not only known for its nutritional properties in the seed form, but is also valued high for its rancid-resistant oil.

Some of the most popular benefits that make people buy sesame widely include:

1. Reduces Cholesterol
It lowers cholesterol quantity, as it is packed with phytosterols that block cholesterol production.

2. Improves Digestive System

Sesame is high in fiber content that helps improve the bowel movement resulting in improved digestive system, eliminating constipation.

3. Gives Healthy Skin

These seeds are high in zinc content also that assist in producing collagen, offering your skin improved elasticity and repairing damaged body cells.

4. Prevents Cancer
It is also rich in anti-cancer compounds that include magnesium, phytic acid and phytosterols. Sesame seeds are having the greatest amount of phytosterol element too.

5. Prevents Anemia
Black sesame seeds are specifically rich in iron, so it is prescribed for those with anemia and physical weakness.

Synopsis

In addition, there are several other health benefits that make sesame seeds most popular healthy food. All these nutritional benefits and medicinal properties are sufficient enough to include sesame seeds into your regular diet but make sure it should be consumed in limited quantity to avail optimum benefits.

Fennel Neutralizes Cancer and Cuts Down Weight

Fennel being a part of various dishes particularly in Mediterranean and Italian cuisines, Indian fennel seed exporter has the opportunities to explore the international market. The stalk, bulb, seeds and leaves are parts are edible, and it is also accepted as one of the primary element of the alcoholic liquid absinthe.

Help the Bodily Functions

Fennel has also been used to help various functioning of multiple body parts like the kidneys, liver, spleen, and digestive system. Given the knowledge conveyed from one generation to another and often established by research, it is considered to improve and treat physical conditions like flatulence, diarrhea, indigestion, constipation, blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, respiratory troubles, menstrual disorders and often cancer.

It is equipped with phytoestrogens, vitamin C, potassium, folate and fiber. All these elements are beneficial for cardiovascular system and also help to eliminating carcinogenic toxins from the colon. 

Works as Chemopreventive Agent

Souff is a strong antioxidant and it has been scientifically proved by University of Texas' MD Anderson Cancer Center that it is a great anti-inflammatory element. This potential property blocks inflammation and also stops changing of normal cells into cancerous cells.

It can suppress appetite and stimulate metabolism. It can drastically eliminate hunger and also help fat storage in the blood to be more properly decomposed so that it can be used in the form of energy. It increases urination and thus cuts down water weight. All these properties help reduce weight.

Synopsis

Given the above potential of fennel, souff suppliers and exports can yield the maximum benefit of its global trading as most of people would buy fennel for its medicinal benefits.

Indian Spices Export Expected to Reach $3 Billion by 2016-17

Export of Indian spice is predicted to touch a record height of $3 billion by the year 2016-17, as per the Chairman of Spice Board Dr. A Jayathilak. Due to improved performance of mint, chilli and seed spices, spices cargos have recorded 41% increase in rupee value and 27% enhancement in volumes in December 31, 2013. This will encourage Masala Manufacturers In India to cultivate and export premium quality spices to global market.

Record Increase in Spices Export

As per the records 5,71,680 tonnes of spices of Rs 9,433 crore were exported to other countries in the last nine months of 2013. As per stats 92% of the volume target and 91% of value target for spices exports has been achieved during 2012-13.

Promotional Campaigns by Indian Government

Spices Board of India is promoting organic cultivation, given the global trend, particularly in north east belt where the soil is unused in terms of as spice cultivation. Through a grand India campaign, the board has plans to promote processed, branded, value added, and innovative products. Developing spice parks at multiple places is part of the promotional activities to raise value addition in spice.

Innovative Marketing Strategies

In addition to consolidating laboratory and testing equipments and facilities for exports, the board has also plans to initiate promotion of cardamom and renovation of cardamom marketing strategy at Pan India level. In this plan the Indian spice exporters can play a great role. He added that considering the increasing focus on non-conventional usage of spices, there is need to develop awareness about non-culinary uses of spices as health foods, cosmetics, nutraceuticals etc.


Synopsis
The above statistics and the future plans of Indian government will surely inspire Indian Spices Manufacturers in India to reach out wider global landscape to explore their spice trading.