Mark Overseas

Rajkot, Gujarat

Cumin is a flowering plant that has been grown as a spice since ancient times. Cumins distinctive flavour and strong, warm aroma is due to its essential oil content. It can be used to season many dishes, as it draws out their natural sweetnesses. It is traditionally added to curries, enchiladas, tacos, and other middle-eastern, indian, cuban and mexican-style foods. It can also be added to salsa to give it extra flavour. It has a distinctive, slightly bitter yet warm flavor. Cumin seeds are often ground up before being added to dishes.

Fenugreek is used both as a herb (the leaves) and as a spice (the seed). It is cultivated worldwide as a semi-arid crop. Fenugreek has grown wild in india, the mediterranean, north africa, southern africa for centuries. It is mainly used in spices or curry powder and excellent for fish and sea food dishes, candy, baked goods, ice cream, chewing gum and soft drinks. It also has medicinal benefits like it is used in reducing the blood sugar level and blood pressure, it is rich in vitamins, minerals and proteins. In india, fenugreek seeds are mixed with yogurt and used as a conditioner for hair. It is also used as a digestive aid. It is one of the worlds oldest medicinal herbs. It has a variety of uses, including increasing breastmilk production. Fenugreek seeds are ground and roasted and used to flavor to curry. The seeds are also soaked and then powdered and used to make lip balm and tonic. Fenugreeks leaves, which are high in iron, are used in salads.

Cinnamon is the inner bark of a tropical evergreen tree, 1015 meters tall, native to sri lanka and south india. Cinnamon has been known from remote antiquity, and it was so highly prized among ancient nations that it was regarded as a gift fit for monarchs and other great potentates. Cinnamon bark is widely used as a spice. It is principally employed in cookery as a condiment and flavouring material, being largely used in the preparation of some kinds of desserts, chocolate, spicy candies, tea, hot cocoa and liqueurs. In the middle east, it is often used in savoury dishes of chicken and lamb. In medicine it acts like other volatile oils and once had a reputation as a cure for colds. It has also been used to treat diarrhea and other problems of the digestive system. It is also used as an insect repellent.

Nutmeg is also used for flavoring various food stuffs. People often use it as a condiment particularly in sweet foods. Nutmeg is also used as a spice in the food processing industry. It is also used in the preparation of soups, meat products, sauces, puddings, seasoning of meat, baked foods, confectioneries, vegetable etc. In eastern countries, people use it as a drug. Nutmeg oil is used in cosmetics and toiletries. Nutmeg is beneficial in the treatment of fever, asthma and heart disease. It is used exclusively in indian sweets. Nutmeg oil is used to relax muscles and has a sedative capability. It can reduce flatulence, aid digestion, improve the appetite and treat diarrhea, vomiting and nausea.

Curry leaf is a popular leafy-spice used in asian-indian cuisine for its characterizing authentic flavor and distinct aroma. Curry leafs diverse menu offers ever popular dishes like butter chicken, chicken tikka, samosa and dosa as well as some distinctive signature dishes like chilli tofu, bhutta kurma that are a subtle blend of modern taste trends and ingredients, that are unique. Curry leaves are used extensively in south indian cooking. The leaves look a bit like bay leaves along a long central stem and are used in a similar fashion. The pungent leaves are typically toasted in oil prior to the rest of the ingredients being added to the cooking pan. The leaves are best fresh but can be found and used dried as well.

Asafoetida powder is a crucial ingredient in Indian vegetarian cooking. It is used as a digestive aid, in food as a condiment and in pickles. Its odour is so strong that it must be stored in airtight containers. It is used in most vegetarian and lentil dishes to both add flavor and aroma and reduce flatulence. Asafoetida has certain medicinal uses and most commonly is used as a digestive aid. It is also said to be helpful in cases of asthma and bronchitis. It is a fine powder containing 30% asafoetida resin, along with rice flour and gum arabic.Asafeotida sap is mixed with gum arabic, wheat, rice flower and turmeric to make the powder we use in cooking. A folk tradition remedy for childrens colds: it is mixed into a foul-smelling paste and hung in a bag around the afflicted childs neck. Its major applications are for digestive weakness, food allergies and candida.

Turmeric (haldi) comes from the root of a leafy plant related to ginger. It has a bright yellow color and a pungent, warm, earthy aroma and taste. Although it becomes bitter if used too much. It is mildly antiseptic. Turmeric is an essential spice in indian food, giving a rich, appetizing color. It is a mild antiseptic as well. Turmeric has medicinal use also. Because of its digestive property, it is being used in curries, fish dishes and with beans. Research shows that turmeric inhibits blood clotting, reduces liver toxins, and helps the liver metabolize fats and so aids weight loss. Besides being used as spice, turmeric has its application in varieties of other purposes like dye, in religious purposes, medicines and ointments. It is used in healing therapies, as cosmetic and many other purposes.