Step into an Indian kitchen and you would find a line of jars neatly stacked in the cabinet. A few of them may contain spice powders, while some others may contain whole spices.
You may find cinnamon rolls, dried bay leaves, green cardamon, dried and big-sized cardamon, star anise, nutmeg, black pepper, and cumin in whole forms. You may also find freshly ground cumin powder, turmeric powder, red chilli powder, and “garam masala,” which is the classic spice blend of India.
Before you buy masala online in India, you may wonder: what is better – whole spices or ground masalas?
Well, both have their own advantages and disadvantages.
Buy Masala Online in India – Whole or Ground?
The biggest difference in whole spices and ground spices lies in its volatile oils. These are compounds that give spices their typical aromas. Phenols, esters, and terpenes are the compounds responsible for giving spices their pungency, flavor, and nutritional benefits.
Whole spices retain their volatile oils. As the spices are ground, they may lose some of their oils. However, the retention of oils also depends on how the spices are stored. That’s the reason some of the best whole spices brands in India emphasize on proper packaging.
Spices, whether whole or ground, when exposed to outside elements like heat, air, humidity, and light, get spoiled faster. They lose their essential oils, thus, their aroma and pungency, rendering them almost flavorless or useless for cooking.
So, what to buy?
As said earlier, both whole spices and powdered spices are good to use, but it depends on your usage and storage.
Whole Spices vs. Ground Spices
- Whole spices have a longer shelf life (1-2 years) than ground spices (upto 6 months). So, if you want to use them for longer, we would suggest buying whole spices. You can ground them at your home or restaurant as per requirement.
- Powdered spices need to be stored very carefully to retain their freshness. Take only a small quantity for daily usage. Keep the rest in a sealed jar and do not open it frequently.
- Certain dishes work better with whole spices, such as meat dishes, curries, etc.
- It also depends on personal choice. Some people love to cook with whole spices, while some like the convenience of sprinkling ground spices.
- Whole spices carry lesser risk of adulteration than ground spices. When sourced from the best whole spices brands in India, you can get them authentic, pure, and fresh.
Best Whole Spices Brands in India
India has several whole spices brands who endeavor to provide the most authentic spices across the states and overseas. One of them is Legacy Dive Exim. Operated by a team of dedicated professionals who are on a mission to spread the legacy of Indian spices to the world, this brand provides a curated collection of whole and ground spices online.
For those who want to buy masala online in India with the guarantee of quality and authenticity, connect with Legacy Dive Exim. Give your dish the finest flavor with pure and fresh Indian spices.