Spices are defined as "a strongly flavored or aromatic substance of vegetable origin, obtained from tropical plants. A spice is a dried seed, fruit, root, bark or vegetative substance used in nutritionally insignificant quantities as a food additive for the purpose of flavoring and sometimes as a preservative by killing or preventing the growth of harmful bacteria.

In ancient times, spices were as precious as gold; and as significant as medicines, preservatives and perfumes. India - the land of spices plays a significant role in the global spices market. No country in the world produces as many kinds of spices as India and the premium quality spices come from Kerala

Because of the varying climates in India - from tropical to sub-tropical,45C to 0 c temperate-almost all spices are grown in this country. In almost all of the 28 states and seven union territories of India, at least one spice is grown in abundance.

Spices and herbs are good not only for our taste buds but also for our health. They supply calcium, iron, vitamin B, vitamin C, carotene and other antioxidants. For instance fresh parsley has been linked with cancer prevention due to its antioxidant content and spicy food is much more appealing than a vitamin pill. Besides herbs and spices don't have any kilojoules or fact, so you can eat them to your heart's content.

Spices used in Kerala
cardamom, ginger, cassia, greater galanga, chilly, kokum, cinnamon, nutmeg: clove, pepper, coffee, tamarind, curry leaf, tea, cashew, turmeric, vanilla with a picture gallery.