Spices and Condiments (1+1)

Classification based on climate requirement of the crop

Depending on suitable climatic conditions like temperature, sunlight, humidity and air of a particular climatic zone, spices are grouped into three categories.
Tropical spices

• Spices of this category need high temperature, and abundant humidity.
  
• They are easily damaged by low temperature.
  
• Tropical spices are ginger, turmeric, black pepper, cinnamon, kokam, galangal, small cardamom and clove.
Subtropical spices

• Sub-tropical climate is found where three distinct seasons like winter, summer and monsoon are found.
  
• Low temperature occurs in winter and high temperature during summer.
  
• Most of the spices require relatively low temperature during their vegetative or early growth stage and high temperature in reproductive stage.
  
• The examples of sub-tropical spices grown in winter are cumin, fennel, coriander, fenugreek, onion and garlic.
  
• Sub¬tropical spices grown during summer are turmeric and ginger.
Temperate spices

• Spices of this type can withstand low temperature and frosty weather but are damaged easily in hot weather.
  
• Examples of temperate spices are thymes, saffron, savoy, caraway seed and asfoetida.