Indian Spices and herbs are the very heart of Indian cooking. Flowers, leaves, roots, barks, seeds and bulbs are used in endless combinations to produce an infinite variety of flavors: sweet, sharp, hot, sour, spicy, aromatic, tart, mild, fragrant or pungent. Their combined tastes and aromas create a kaleidoscope of exotic flavors to delight the palate. It is best to obtain spices in a whole seed form and to grind them just prior to use. Many researchers have attempted to explain why hot spices are pleasant to taste. It seems the burning sensation is the pain of nerve endings on the tongue. This releases endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers, giving rise to pleasurable and even euphoric sensations. Indian spices offer significant health benefits and contribute towards an individual’s healthy life. They add flavor and nutrients to dishes without fat or calories!