A QUICK GUIDE TO MILD SPICES
If you are not the type who can cope with a really fiery spice, it doesn’t mean you have to avoid curries or authentic Indian food altogether. If you’re a bit of a chicken (like me) when it comes to chilli, then sticking to the more aromatic or tangy spices out there will do the trick.
Traditional curries aren’t always hot: korma, masala and pasanda dishes don’t usually contain chilli, but just have a mixture of herbs and aromatic spices instead.
There are five main groups of spices: amalgamating, hot, pungent, tangy and sweet. For those who don’t enjoy eating strong curries then steer clear of the hot and pungent spice types.. Examples of each spice are as follows:
Amalgamating – these are spices which don’t give off a strong flavour of their own but complement the other flavours and help them to blend together, they include coriander and turmeric.
Hot - these mainly derive from various types of peppers. The spice is attributed to a chemical in the pepper flesh called capsaicin. Fiery spices include chill and cayenne peppers but also horseradish and mustard.
Pungent- these are spices which have strong and unique flavours and bring a whole new taste to a curry when added. They include cardamom, cloves and star anise.
Sweet- warm, aromatic spices lend a comforting taste to curries. These are ideal for those who can’t hack the heat. They include spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg and saffron.
Tangy- these are normally spices derived from fruits and add a sharp, acidic taste to dishes such as juniper and tamarind.
Eating delicious, authentic Indian food should not be an uncomfortable experience so if you aren’t great at handling hot spices then just don’t use them. (you really don't have to) There are hundreds of spices that you can use that bring aroma and taste to dishes and help make great curries, without the need for hot ingredients!
When it comes to buying spices online, Shop Spicy has an extensive range of delicious spices to suit every palette, so now you can enjoy great authentic Indian dishes without having to handle the heat!