Indian food is composed of an expansive spread of colorful spices and ingredients, resulting in vibrant dishes bursting with flavor. There are many key elements that give this cuisine its essence. If you’re dining at an Indian restaurant, you can try to identify a few of these important ingredients using the following guide.

5 Common Ingredients in Indian Food

1. Cardamom

Cardamom is a medicinal herb, often found in one of two varieties in Indian food. Brown cardamom is made of large, dark seedpods, and it has powerful flavors used in intensely fragrant pilaus and curries. Green cardamom is a bit milder, but it still has a kick to it. From the Elettaria cardamomum, this herb plays a part in subtler curries, pilaus, chai, and sweets.

2. Turmeric

This member of the ginger family is what gives many Indian dishes their vibrant yellow hue. It is generally boiled and ground into a distinct yellow powder to flavor meat, seafood, dal, and vegetable dishes. In Indian culture, turmeric is seen as sacred and medicinal. Beyond cooking, it’s also used for ceremonies and clothing dye.

3. Chickpeas

Also known as garbanzo beans, chickpeas are an essential ingredient to many Indian dishes. These big, round legumes are high in protein, fiber, and several essential vitamins and minerals. They are often used in vegetarian plates, such as saag chole and vegetable biryani.

4. Curry Leaves

Harvested from curry trees, these aromatic leaves are most frequently used during the cooking process. Cooks can add them to hot oil before preparation, or place them in the sauce while it’s simmering for additional flavor. They can also be mixed into a chutney, or less frequently, ground as an ingredient for curry powder.

5. Cinnamon

You might consider cinnamon to be a dessert spice, but it’s also used in savory Indian food. These sweet, spicy, and delicately fragrant rolls of dried bark come from the Cinnamomum zeylancium tree, a type of evergreen. It can be found in many curries, desserts, and masala chai.

Are these ingredients making you crave authentic Indian food? India’s Best Restaurant and Bar, based in Middleton, CO, serves a delicious combination of homemade Indian and Mediterranean cuisine. Each dish is prepared to your preference with fresh spices imported directly from India. All of their high-quality ingredients are chosen carefully to bring out the best flavors in every dish. Take a look at their menu and order online, or call (303) 484-9535 to speak with a friendly staff member.