Spices are an essential part of Asian food and are also widely used in different parts of world. Did you know that you can grow different spices at home? Shocking right!
It happens with most of us that when we are cooking something and check our cabinet for a particular spice we need to add and realize that we are out of it. And this not even the worst part. The worst part is that we can’t even go out to the supermarket at that very moment to procure it. Sadly, we look for an alternate spice to get our recipe ready.
Now imagine how convenient it would be that whatever spice you need, you have to go to your garden or the balcony to pluck it and use it in your recipe.
Here are five basic spices that can be grown at home in the garden or even in small pots in your balcony. Let’s start.
Ginger (Adrak)
Ginger is one of the most common ingredients used in all kinds of Asian foods. You can grow ginger by filling a large tub with pot soil mix. Put 5 to 6 small pieces of ginger and press them firmly inside the soil. Keep the tub in the sunlight for a day and water it. When the soil turns dry, dig the ginger out and shift the plant into a wider pot along with the roots.
Turmeric (Haldi)
Turmeric is mostly used in foods for its bright yellow color and sharp and spicy flavor. Turmeric is mostly used in a dried, powdered form; therefore, planting this can be challenging. All you need to do is fill a wide pot with soil and stick the turmeric pieces in it. Make sure that it gets plenty of direct sunlight and water. You would notice big leaves emerging in a week or so.
Coriander (Dhaniya)
Coriander can used both as an herb and as a spice. Coriander plant can be grown any time of the year and can grow very quickly. You just need a wide pot and fill it with potting mix. Sow the coriander seeds deep into the soil and place it directly in the sunlight. Water every day to keep the soil moist. Now you have fresh coriander is just a step away!
Cumin – Zeera
Cumin seeds is used in a powder form and is used regularly in Asian foods. Sow the cumin seeds in a large pot with potting mix and keep the soil moist. The plant takes time to grow but can grow a little faster is proper light and heat are given. It takes four months to harvest after the flowers turns into elongated seeds. The cumin seeds can also be ground into a powder form to use it in recipes.
Paprika (Surkh Mirch)
This red and mildly hot spice is used in mainly Italian and Chinese cuisines. To grow this spice at home, you need an extraordinarily wide area right under the sun. All you need to do is sow the seeds into a moist and rich potting mix. Make sure there is only a single seed in one pot. You need at least nine to ten plants to get the paprika powder. When the chilies get a bright red color, only then you can harvest and enjoy the spice.
I know these spices are available at any supermarket or general store near you, bit I suggest you try growing them at home. This way, you can save a lot of money in the long run, and also you would never run out of spices. Happy gardening!