Fresh curry leaves are essential for all types of coconut oil based cooking. From simple chutney to fish curry requires curry leaves for seasoning. In most cases people take out the curry leaves from their curry when it is served. This fate of curry leaves has given rise to a Malayalam saying which translates into ‘thrown away like curry leaves’ to refer to a person who has been thrown out after using him/her for any gains.

The plant belongs to citrus family. The leaves emanate a strong aroma when crushed.

It has medicinal properties too and is used as an effective vermicide.

Dill (Anethum graveolens) is now found widely in India. The word dill comes lull or a state of calm and rest.

Dill is a flavoring agent and pickling spice. The whole plant is aromatic and useful. Small stems go to flavoring salad, sauce, soup and pickles. Fresh leaves find use in fried meat and fish preparations.

India exports an extract from dill seed, dill seed oil, which is highly popular in west because of its medicinal properties.

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), which is used for flavoring food items was introduced to India from Europe. The leaves are used as vegetable. Dried seeds, fruits and oil extracted are all used as flavoring agents for meat, fish, vegetable preparations and alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks.

The fruits are cut along with the stem and then spread on a mat for sun-drying. The fennel seeds are separated from the stems.

Fennel is also used as a medicine. Fennel stimulates lactation.

Foeniculum vulgae belongs to the plant family Umbelliferae.

Nutmeg is a strongly aromatic spice, grown abundantly throughout Kerala. This tree was introduced in India by British East India Company during days of colonial rule.

The trees grow to about 20 meters height. The fruit is perfectly globular and lightly colored. When ripe, the fruit splits open to reveal a thickly black seed, which is covered with patchy red skin. The shell of the seed is broken to collect the kernels, which are grayish and oval. It has strong aroma and is used in different culinary preparations and in the manufacturing of perfumes.

Known as the king of spices for many hundreds of years, pepper (piper nigrum) is a trademark spice product of Kerala, which is exported to almost all parts of the world.

Pepper vines are usually seen climbing a support tree using special roots that emerges at roots. The only function of the roots is to allow the plant to clasp to the tree.

Spikes of fruits appear among thick foliage. Pepper is harvested when fruits at the time fruits begin to turn ripened. The appearance of two or three red fruits among the spikes marks the time for harvesting.

Both black pepper and white pepper are from the same plant. In white pepper, the skin and fruit is removed by soaking the fruits in warm water and then placing it in a strong current of water. Black pepper simply states that it is simply dried after harvesting.

Pepper is an important ingredient for a large number of culinary preparations.

Pepper also has medicinal value and is used in Ayurvedic medicines. Siddha and Unani, other two medicinal forms of India also see pepper as an effective cure for a variety of conditions like constipation, tastelessness, diarrhea, insomnia, liver problems, tooth decay, etc.

Pipper nigrum belongs to the family piperaceae.

Peppermint (Mentha piperita) is both a medicine and a condiment for confectionaries.

Peppermint appears as small bushy plants of 2-3 ft height. The plant is propagated mainly by planting underground runners in plant bed. Over a year or two the plant spreads to the area. The leaves and tips are cut and dried.

Propagation of peppermint is mainly by running roots, which produce erect, branched stems of 15-25 inches. The leaves have sharply toothed fringes.

Tiny, pale purple flowers circle the stem at nodes, above leaves giving it an appearance of thick spikes. The leaves and tops are collected immediately after it starts blooming.

The leaves provide an extract of pleasant flavor that is used in meat preparations, tea, and different drinks. It is also aromatic and used in mouthwash liquids, chewing gum, etc.

Mentha Piperita belongs to the family Laminaceae (mint family).