• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
My Tasty Curry
  • Recipe Index
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers and Snacks
    • Lunch and Dinner
    • Breakfast and Brunch Recipes
    • Indian Recipes
      • Indian Chinese Recipes
      • Indian Cooking Basics
      • Indian desserts
      • Indian Main Course
      • Breads
      • Chutneys Pickles and Condiments
    • Air Fryer Recipes
    • One Pot Meals
    • Instant Pot Recipes
    • Salad Recipes
    • Sandwich Recipes
    • Soup Recipes
    • International Recipes
      • Dessert Recipes
      • Italian Recipes
      • Mediterranean Recipes
  • About Rekha
  • Meal Plans
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipe Index
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers and Snacks
    • Lunch and Dinner
    • Breakfast and Brunch Recipes
    • Indian Recipes
      • Indian Chinese Recipes
      • Indian Cooking Basics
      • Indian desserts
      • Indian Main Course
      • Breads
      • Chutneys Pickles and Condiments
    • Air Fryer Recipes
    • One Pot Meals
    • Instant Pot Recipes
    • Salad Recipes
    • Sandwich Recipes
    • Soup Recipes
    • International Recipes
      • Dessert Recipes
      • Italian Recipes
      • Mediterranean Recipes
  • About Rekha
  • Meal Plans
  • connect with me

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipe Index
    • Recipes
      • Appetizers and Snacks
      • Lunch and Dinner
      • Breakfast and Brunch Recipes
      • Indian Recipes
        • Indian Chinese Recipes
        • Indian Cooking Basics
        • Indian desserts
        • Indian Main Course
        • Breads
        • Chutneys Pickles and Condiments
      • Air Fryer Recipes
      • One Pot Meals
      • Instant Pot Recipes
      • Salad Recipes
      • Sandwich Recipes
      • Soup Recipes
      • International Recipes
        • Dessert Recipes
        • Italian Recipes
        • Mediterranean Recipes
    • About Rekha
    • Meal Plans
  • connect with me

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Cooking Tips, How to's, tricks

    5 Spices that Every South Indian Kitchen Must Stock

    Jan 20, 2016 Modified: Feb 4, 2022 by Rekha Kakkar This post may contain affiliate links ·

    8 shares
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • WhatsApp
    5 must have spices in south Indian Kitchen

    I love my fair share of South Indian cuisine- the irresistible combination of tangy and delicious spices cooked to perfection! I believe all of us enjoy our dosas, idlis and the accompanying wholesomeness of sambhar and chutney. Though In my growing up years I did not eat lots of south Indian food, but after my marriage I was exposed to most regional cuisines and that helped me to understand the flavour profiles little better.

    As is true for a North Indian household, a South Indian kitchen has a list of must-have basic spices- which are secrets behind producing such great food. I have compiled a list of five basic spices which command a definite presence in the kitchen if you love south Indian Food.

    I don't proclaim myself South Indian Food Expert, but still I feel these 5 are must have in the kitchen If you love to cook south Indian Food.

    5 Must have Spices in Every South Indian Kitchen

    1. Curry leaves

    They are quite indispensable in a South Indian kitchen so much so that they go together almost always! And it is a versatile spice in itself- you can use the whole leaves and you can also make a dry powder out of it.

    The curry leaves are called so as they smell of a typical Indian curry. They are used to impart flavour to soups, daal, rice, chutney, and sambhar. I cook them in oil first before putting them back in the original dish- it brings out their taste much better.

    2. Tamarind

    And how I forget our favorite "imli" which finds its way in our most favorite street food and eventually the South Indian cuisine?

    Tamarind imparts a slightly sweet taste to dishes like sambhar. It balances the spiciness of other dishes. Its chutney form is also widely relished by everyone.

    3. Mustard seeds

    One can always spot tiny black balls which are indispensable in sambhar, rasam and vegetable recipes. These mustard seeds are used to lend a fantastic aroma and exotic taste to dishes.

    I use these for "tadka" or tempering wherein I add the seeds to hot cooking oil to bring out their best flavor. The powder or whole form can also be added to enhance the taste of pickles.

    4. Cardamom

    This delectable spice is associated with an enticing aroma and floral taste which it lends to the dish it is added to. It has a sweet smell which goes really well with desserts and savory dishes. I prefer using the smaller green cardamom over its black counterpart.

    Primarily, traditional payasam (South Indian rice pudding) utilizes cardamom effectively, to give that extra zing to a delicious dish. I suggest using whole pods in your dishes to bring out the maximum flavor.

    5. Chillies

    We are famous for our spicy food and it only makes sense to embrace our habits openly. Red chilies are used in their dry form to give a nice texture and color to the dish.

    It can also serve as a garnish and is widely used in its whole, dried form in several dishes. South Indian cuisine also stresses the use of fresh green chillies, which surpass their red counterparts in terms of fieriness.

    The list is a never-ending one, in reality, but I have chosen the 5 most easily available spices. I would love to hear your thoughts and inputs and will add more!

    More Cooking Tips, How to's, tricks

    • Mother's day Brunch Recipes - Indian Menu
    • Navratri Fasting Recipes - Falahari Recipes
    • What's In A Traditional Indian Spice Box
    • Makhani Gravy
    8 shares
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • WhatsApp

    Reader Interactions

    Leave me your feedback here please Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Looking For Something?

    HI! THIS IS REKHA KAKKAR

    Life is complicated so let’s keep our food simple! No this is not a quote from someone else 🙂 this actually sums up my food philosophy and why I started this food blog.

    I am Rekha, I am the Cook, writer, and photographer behind this food blog. Now a YouTuber 

    More about me →

    Popular Today

    • Methi Paratha Recipe
    • Methi Aloo Recipe
    • Palak Chole
    • Veggie Rice Recipe for Diabetics

    Soup Recipes

    • Borscht Recipe
    • Vegetable Weight Loss Soup Recipe - Pressure Cooker
    • Instant Pot Veggie and Quinoa Soup - Pressure Cooker Recipe
    • Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup 

    Immunity Boosting Teas

    • CFC Tea Recipe - Cumin Coriander Fennel Tea
    • Kadha Recipe|Indian Herbal Drink
    • Cinnamon Tea Recipe
    • Kahwa Tea Recipe - Kashmiri Tea

    Recent Posts

    • Methi Paratha Recipe
    • Methi Aloo Recipe
    • Palak Chole
    • Veggie Rice Recipe for Diabetics
    • Mizeria Salad Recipe 

    Footer

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • About Rekha
    • Work With Me

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Follow Along

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • Pinterest

    ↑ back to top

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.