Kochi, Kerala, India
Our Products
Turmeric (Curcuma longa), is a spice that is obtained by drying the root of the herbaceous perennial plant of the ginger family Zingiberaceae. Native to the tropical climate of South Asia, the turmeric plant thrives in places, which have heavy rainfall and an average temperature of 20C and 30C. The plants are harvested once a year between February and April after which the rhizomes are cleaned, boiled, dried and polished. They are further processed into turmeric fingers, ground turmeric, and turmeric oil.
India holds the distinction of being the leading producer and exporter of turmeric. Cultivated in South India for more than 5, 000 years turmeric has been in use as a spice, medicine, fabric dye, hair remover and beauty agent. It is also used in numerous cultural, religious and ceremonial events.
Uses of turmeric
As a condiment: Turmeric is used as a spice and flavoring agent in most Asian cuisines. It is an essential ingredient of the traditional Indian curry, Vietnamese soup and the Iranian stir-fry. It is also used as a food additive (coded E100) in pickles, relishes, and mustard and when combined with annatto (coded E160b), it is used to color cheeses, yogurt, dry mixes, salad dressings, winter butter and margarine. As an oleoresin, it is used in oil-containing products to add color and flavor.
For general health: Turmeric has been used for centuries in traditional Indian and Chinese medicines as both an antiseptic and antibiotic agent to treat a wide variety of conditions, including flatulence, jaundice, menstrual difficulties, haemorrhage, toothache, cuts, burns, bruises, chest pain, and colic . Recent research has pointed out that curcumin the yellow or orange pigment of turmeric, is the primary pharmacological agent in turmeric. Curcumin, when isolated, has been found to be an effective treatment for inflammatory bowel disease and provides relief for rheumatoid arthritis and cystic fibrosis sufferers. It was also found to improve liver function, provide cardiovascular protection and reduce the occurrence of several cancers.
Selection and storage of turmeric
Color is not a criteria when it comes to choosing turmeric. Depending on the variety of the plant from which it has been harvested, the color of turmeric varies from bright yellow to dull orange. However, it is best to buy organically grown turmeric as this will ensure that all the beneficial properties of the spice remain intact.
Turmeric fingers and turmeric powder stays fresh for up to a year when kept in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dark and dry place. When using the turmeric rhizome, be sure to store it in a refrigerator and use within two weeks.
Purchase superior quality turmeric at Ameen Exports
Ameen Exports, a premium exporting company based in Cochin, Kerala, offers high quality turmeric products. Directly sourced from the planters the turmeric is further processed in our state-of-the-art processing centre. We offer customized packaging and branding of turmeric fingers, turmeric powder, and turmeric oil and oleoresins to clients located all over the world.
Contact us for more information.
Cumin, Cuminum cyminum, is the dried seed of an annual herbaceous plant of the parsley family. The cumin plant grows to 3050 cm, before bearing small white or pink flowers that later turn into a fruit containing a single yellow-brown seed of about 4-5 mm long. The seeds are harvested by hand once a year during March and April.
Originally cultivated in the Mediterranean countries, the seed is now commercially grown in China, India, Uzbekistan, Iran, Turkey, Morocco, Egypt, Syria, Mexico and Chile. After pepper, cumin is the second most popular spice in the world.
Uses of cumin
As a condiment: Cumin has been used since ancient times in Indian, Arabic, North African, Latin American and Mediterranean cuisines. Mainly utilized to add an earthy and warm feeling to a dish, cumin, both in whole and powdered form is used in curries, gravies, soups and Tex-Mex chili. An important ingredient in Indian curry masalas, cumin is also used to flavor certain varieties of French bread and Dutch Leyden cheese.
For general health: Cumin seeds have been used in Indian Ayurvedic medicine as a digestive aid, carminative and anti-flatulent agent. Cumin is also rich in iron, which makes it an excellent food supplement for women, children and the elderly. Research has also shown that the dietary fiber and flavonoid phenolic anti-oxidants such as carotenes, zea-xanthin and lutein, present in cumin, help in protecting the body against stomach and liver cancer. The spice also contains significant amounts of B-complex vitamins such as thiamin, vitamin B-6, niacin, riboflavin, and other vital anti-oxidant vitamins like vitamin E, vitamin A and vitamin C.
Selection and storage of cumin
Select cumin seeds by squeezing them between your thumb and index finger. Good quality cumin should release a peppery and pleasant smell and flavor.
Whole cumin seeds stay fresh for over a year and can be stored in an airtight glass container in a cool, dark place. Ground cumin, on the other hand, loses its flavor quickly and should be used within six months of packing. Cumin can be stored in the refrigerator to extent its shelf life.
Purchase superior quality cumin at Ameen Exports
Ameen Exports, located in Cochin, Kerala, offer customized packing and branding solutions for various spices including whole cumin seeds and powdered cumin. We ensure superior quality products by purchasing directly from the cultivators and processing them in our state-of-the-art processing unit. Our products comply with the quality standards required for export to International destinations such as Europe, U.S.A and GCC countries.
Contact us for more information.
Fenugreek, Trigonella foenum-graecum, is an annual plant belonging to the family Fabaceae. Originally native to the sub-Himalayan plains of the Indian subcontinent, fenugreek is now cultivated all-over southern and Mediterranean Europe, Middle-Eastern Asia and North Africa.
The fenugreek plant with its characteristic light green color tri-foliate leaves and white flowers grows up to about 1-2 feet in height. The plant bears slender, long, yellow-brown pods which contain about 10-20 golden-yellow seeds which are small, hard, and resemble tiny, multi-faceted stones. India is the largest producer and exporter of fenugreek.
Uses of fenugreek
As a condiment: Fenugreek is used as herb (fresh and dried leaves), a spice (seeds) and as a vegetable (sprouts and micro grains). Popular in Indian, Persian and Ethiopian cuisines, fenugreek seeds are used in salads, gravies, vegetable dishes, lentil soups, spice mixes and curry masalas. The seeds are used either whole or as a powder and they are generally dry roasted before use to enhance their flavor and reduce the bitterness.
For general health: Fenugreek seeds are a good source of vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients and soluble dietary fiber. The non-starch polysaccharides present in fenugreek seeds work as a cholesterol regulator, and help in digestion and relive constipation aliments. Fenugreek seeds also form an essential part of a diabetic diet, mainly due to the amino-acid 4-hydroxy isoleucine, that acts as an insulin facilitator. In the traditional Indian Ayurvedic system of medicine, fenugreek is used for many conditions including loss of appetite, stomach ailments, beriberi, mouth ulcers, bronchitis, chronic coughs, chapped lips and baldness. Fenugreek is also a galactagogue (milk producing agent) and has been shown to help lactating mothers. However, pregnant women should not consume excess of fenugreek as it can lead to premature labor.
Selection and storage of fenugreek
While choosing whole fenugreek seeds, choose seeds that are bright golden-yellow in color, hard and free from mold or fungus. Fresh fenugreek seeds also exude a delicate maple flavor.
Fenugreek seeds don't spoil easily and stay fresh for several months. Whole fenugreek seeds will stay fresh for up to six months when stored in an airtight glass container away from sunlight. Powdered fenugreek seeds and fenugreek paste, however, should be stored in the refrigerator in air-sealed packets.
Purchase superior quality fenugreek at Ameen Exports
Ameen Exports, located in Cochin, Kerala, provide superior quality fenugreek seeds and fenugreek powder. We ensure that our product is fresh and of good quality by purchasing directly from the farmers themselves. The fenugreek seeds are then processed and packed in our modern processing unit and exported to clients in different parts of the world. We also offer our clients the choice of opting for customized branding and packing solutions.
Contact us for more information.
The fragrant cinnamon is acquired from the inner bark of several trees of the genus Cinnamomum, of the family Lauraceae. Although there are more than one hundred varieties of the cinnamon tree, two varieties, namely the Ceylon cinnamon, also known as 'true cinnamon' and the Chinese cinnamon, also as 'cassia' are the most popular. Ceylon cinnamon, native to Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Burma and the Malabar Coast of India, is more rare and thereby more expensive than the commonly available cassia.
Cinnamon is one of the oldest known among spices and was used by the Egyptians in the embalming process. It is harvested during the months of June and July, by scraping off the outer bark, and then beating the branch evenly with a hammer to loosen the inner bark. The inner bark is then prised out into strips that curl into long rolls, known as quills.
Uses of cinnamon
As a condiment: Cinnamon is a popular spice and is used in cuisines all over the world. An indispensible ingredient in various desserts such as apple pie, cinnamon rolls, doughnuts and spiced candies, cinnamon is also used to flavor various cereals and bread based dishes. In Mexico, the world's largest importer of cinnamon, it is used in the preparation of chocolate. In Indian, Persian and Middle Eastern cooking, cinnamon is used to bring heat into various meat-based dishes.
For general health: The warm and dry properties of cinnamon has been traditionally used a medicine to cure a variety of illnesses including common colds, kidney disorders and skin infections. Recent research has proved that the essential oils found in the cinnamon bark have exceptional anti-clotting, anti-bacterial and anti-microbial effects. Cinnamon is also an effective agent in the reduction of high blood sugar. It acts on the body by improving insulin activity and enabling the cells to increase their blood glucose absorption levels.
Selection and storage of cinnamon
Fresh cinnamon will have a strong, sweet smell; so if possible, smell the cinnamon before purchasing in bulk quantities. While both Ceylon cinnamon and cassia have essentially the same warm and fragrant smell, Ceylon cinnamon is thinner, sweeter and more refined in taste.
Cinnamon should be stored in an airtight glass container in a cool, dark and dry place. While ground cinnamon will remain fresh for about six months, whole cinnamon sticks will stay fresh for about a year. Refrigerating cinnamon will help extend the shelf life by six months.
Purchase superior quality cinnamon at Ameen Exports
Ameen Exports, a premium spice exporter located in Cochin, Kerala, offers freshly procured whole cinnamon sticks, broken cinnamon/ cinnamon splits and fine ground cinnamon. Sourced directly from the planters themselves, the cinnamon is processed in our state-of-the-art processing unit before exporting. We also offer customized branding and packaging solutions to clients located all over the world.
Contact us for more information.
The nutmeg tree, an evergreen tree belonging to the Myristica species, was once an indigenous plant that grew only in the Banda Islands of Indonesia. Now cultivated in various tropical lands, including Malaysia, Grenada and Kerala, India, the nutmeg tree is the only tree that bears two different spices-nutmeg and mace.
The nutmeg tree produces its first harvest after seven to eight years and a full harvest after 20 years. The nutmeg, which is roughly egg-shaped and about 20 to 30 mm (0.8 to 1.2 in) long and 15 to 18 mm (0.6 to 0.7 in) wide, is the seed of the tree. Each nutmeg weighs roughly between 5 and 10 g (0.2 and 0.4 oz) when dried. Mace, on the other hand, is the dried reddish-brown "lacy" covering or aril that encloses the seed within the fruit.
Uses of nutmeg
As a condiment: Nutmeg is used in cuisines around the world, predominantly in desserts and sweet dishes. It is also used as a flavor enhancer in soups and gravies in Indian, Chinese, Malaysian, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean and European cuisines. Ground nutmeg is a traditional ingredient in various baked goods, eggnog and mulled wine and cider. Nutmeg butter and essential oil, which is used in perfumeries and the pharmaceutical industry, is expressed by extraction.
For general health: Nutmeg has been famous since antiquity as an aphrodisiac. It is also well known for its curative properties and is a major ingredient in cough syrups and toothpastes. Traditionally, nutmeg and nutmeg oil have been used as a medicine to cure disorders related to the nervous and digestive systems. However, nutmeg in large doses can have a toxic effect, due to the presence of myristicin, a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, and must be used with caution.
Selection and storage of nutmeg
Fresh and good quality nutmegs will have a strong aroma and a warm aromatic flavor that cannot be missed. Since nutmeg loses its flavor once powdered or grated, it is advisable to use fresh nutmeg whenever possible. Nutmeg can be grated using a nutmeg grater or a sharp knife.
Whole fresh nutmegs, remain fresh for about a year when stored in a tightly-sealed jar or container, in a cool, dark place. Be sure to wrap leftover fresh nutmeg tightly, to ensure that the oils are not lost. If using powdered nutmeg, ensure that you store the powder in an airtight jar away from sunlight.
Purchase superior quality nutmeg at Ameen Exports
Ameen Exports, located in Cochin, Kerala, offer superior quality nutmeg and mace for export. Procured directly from the planters, the nutmeg is processed and packed in our modern processing unit. We also offer customized branding solutions that enable the packaging to be done with your brand name and according to your specifications.
Contact us for more information.
