Herbs, spices and other flavourings

The secret of Indian cooking lies in the various combinations and treatments of the panoply of spices and flavourings that are indigenous to the region. Some types are used principally for the taste they impart, while other ones, known as aromatics, are used mainly for their aroma. One individual spice can completely alter the taste of a dish and a combination of several spices will also affect its colour and texture, so it is little wonder that there is such a huge number of possible variations in Indian cuisine.