Spices and Condiments (1+1)

Introduction

• Spices constitute an important group of agricultural commodities, which, since antiquity, have been considered indispensable in the culinary arts for flavouring foods. Some are used in pharmaceutical, perfumery, cosmetics and several other industries, and others possess colourant, preservative, antioxidant, antiseptic and antibiotic properties. Besides, they also play quite a significant role in the national economy of India and also in those of various other spice-producing, exporting and importing countries of the world.
• India has been a leading spice-producing, consuming and exporting country of the world since the recorded history. During 2000-2001, India has earned foreign exchange worth Rs. 1,61,206.65 lakhs through the export of about 230000 tonnes of spices, as compared -to Rs. 2,02,508.63 lakhs and Rs. 1,75,802.20 lakhs earned during the years 1999-2000 and 1998-1999 through the export of 2,36,142 and 2,31,389 tonnes of spices, respectively. (Spices Board, 2001).
• In addition, huge quantities of spices are consumed within the country for seasoning of foods and for several other purposes mentioned above. These figures indicate the economic importance of spices in our country and the world.