Seed Spices

India is often referred as “Home of spices”. This is because many of the 70 spices grown in the world, are native to India. Further, since antiquity, India pioneered in growing spices and exported. India has enjoyed virtual monopoly in the International Spice trade since ancient times. Out of the 70 spices, several of them can be grown in India, whereas in other countries a few spices are only grown. This book focuses on practices for growing spices and obtaining a reasonably steady yield. It provides practical information on small-scale cultivation, genetics, breeding, harvesting, storing, processing and marketing of spices. We hope this information will be helpful to vegetable growers, whether beginners or more experienced farmers, extension workers and agricultural teachers.

The term spices and condiments applies to such natural plant or vegetable products and mixtures thereof, used in whole or ground form, mainly for imparting flavor, aroma and piquancy to foods and also for seasoning of foods beverages like soups. The great mystery and beauty of spices is their use, blending and ability to change and enhance the character of food. Spices and condiments have a special significance in various ways in human life because of its specific flavours, taste, and aroma. Spices and condiments play an important role in the national economies of several spice producing, importing and exporting countries. India is one of the major spice producing and exporting countries. Most of the spices and herbs have active principles in them and development of these through pharmacological and preclinical and clinical screening would mean expansion of considerable opportunities for successful commercialization of the product. Spices can be used to create these health promoting products. The active components in the spices phthalides, polyacetylenes, phenolic acids, flavanoids, coumarines, triterpenoids, serols and monoterpenes are powerful tools for promoting physical and emotional wellness. India has been playing a major role in producing and exporting various perennial spices like cardamoms, pepper, vanilla, clove, nutmeg and cinnamon over a wide range of suitable climatic situations. To produce good quality spice products, attention is required not only during cultivation but also at the time of harvesting, processing and storing. Not as large as in the days when, next to gold, spices were considered most worth the risk of life and money. The trade is still extensive and the oriental demand is as large as ever. Some of the fundamentals of the book are definition of spices and condiments nomenclature or classification of spices and condiments, Indian central spices and cashew nut committee, origin, properties and uses of spices, forms, functions and applications of spices, trends in the world of spices, yield and nutrient uptake by some spice crops grown in sodic soil, tissue culture and in vitro conservation of spices, in vitro responses of piper species on activated charcoal supplemented media, soil agro climatic planning for sustainable spices production, potentials of biotechnology in the improvement of spice crops, medicinal applications of spices and herbs, medicinal properties and uses of seed spices, effect of soil solarization on chillies, spice oil and oleoresin from fresh/dry spices etc. The present book contains cultivation, processing and uses of various spices and condiments, which are well known for their multiple uses in every house all over world. The book is an invaluable resource for new entrepreneurs, agriculturists, agriculture universities and technocrats.

In Grow Your Own Spices, author and spice-growing gardener Tasha Greer hands you everything you need to know to grow a thriving spice garden, with practical tips and in-depth advice on cultivating over 30 different spices. Unlike herbs, which consist of the green leaves of certain plants, spices come from the seeds, roots, bark, or berries of plants, which means growing, harvesting, and preparing spices is a lot more nuanced than growing leafy herbs. Start with easy-to-grow seed spices first, such as sesame seeds, fennel, and cumin, then graduate to more challenging spice varieties, such as star anise, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Spices not only offer culinary flare, there’s also increasing evidence of their ability to fight inflammation and reduce various health risks. Medical usage tips from expert herbalist Lindsey Feldpausch are found throughout the book and offer well-researched advice on how to use homegrown spices to improve your well-being. Regardless of whether you’re using spices as a health-boosting supplement or simply to power-up the flavor of your meals, purchasing spices is an expensive proposition. Why pay all that money when you can grow your own organic spices with the easy-to-follow advice found here? In the pages of Grow Your Own Spices, you’ll learn: How to cultivate your own saffron, the world’s most expensive spice The best way to tend tropical spices, like ginger, turmeric, and cardamom, even if you live in a cold climate Easy-to-grow spices that are perfect for beginners The unique way certain spices, such as wasabi, cloves, and cinnamon, are grown and harvested How to cultivate root spices, including horseradish and chicory Tips for harvesting your own capers, mustard, sesame seeds, and even paprika Let Grow Your Own Spices show you how to spice up your garden, your plate, and your health, with your own fresh, homegrown spices!

The global changes warranted fastness in food production system and fast foods. In tune with demand, crop production also oriented accordingly. However, the proverb 'Health is a Wealth' is reminded us to keep vigil on system and method of food production and food safety. The ill-effect of conventional chemical based farming well documented and public realized the importance organically produced food and efforts are being made to popularize the organic production. India is a "Land of Spices", each state or union territory in India cultivates one or other spice. Since spices form a part of many medicines the demand for organically produced spices is increasing considerably. Assuming a market growth of 10% in Europe, USA and Japan for organic spice products the world demand for organic spices may grow to 57000 tonnes in the next 10 yeaLarge scale use of high analysis fertilizers and pesticides result environmental hazards and imbalances in soil nutrients. Since spices are high valued and export oriented in nature it is imperative to keep the levels of pesticide residues below tolerance limits in view of the standards set by the importing countries. Hence the book on "Organic Spices" is timely and covers all aspects of organic spice production. The topic includes historical spice trade and importance of spices in food chain. Brief account on organic agriculture movement in the world and its present status and opportunity for organic spices in the world market are given. The chemistry and different methods of composting are included in the organic manures chapter will be informative. Microbes play a greater role in agriculture, a separate chapter devoted on microbes and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria would definitely enrich the readeNot only that, the topics on biological control of insect pests, nematodes, fungus and bacteria of spices highlighted in separate chapters would be of interest in organic production system. The importance, composition, uses, botany and varieties, organic way of production of spices like black pepper, cardamom, ginger, turmeric, chillies and paprika, nutmeg, vanilla, seed spices like cumin, fennel, fenugreek, coriander and their harvest and post harvest processing are enumerated. The chapters on good agricultural practices (GAP) and organic certification procedures outlined for adoption. This would serve as a reference book for researchers, teachers and students besides farmers, traders and consumers.

This work comprehensively covers the production, processing and post harvest technology of Indian spices with an added focus on the history and uniqueness of this legendary regional product. Individual chapters describe the unique aspects of these spices and their production, post harvest technology and value addition, molecular breeding, organic farming aspects, climate change effects and bioactive compounds. Seasonal, preparatory, and storage conditions resulting in composition variations are explored. Indian Spices: The Legacy, Production and Processing of India’s Treasured Export begins by outlining the historical legacy of Indian spices and describing the many aspects that make this product so unique and highly valued. The abundance and variety of these spices are also delineated. Further chapters focus on current research involving the production technology involved in production, management, harvesting and processing of Indian spices along with post harvest processes, storage and transportation. Important and effective trends such as molecular breeding for spice crop improvement, tissue culture, climate change impacts, organic spices, extension strategies and secondary metabolites receive dedicated chapters. A valuable aspect of this work is the presentation of value chains for these spices, with extensive research presented on the marketing and export of the product. With the shift from localized distribution networks to a fully globalized industry, this book comes at an important time of growth for Indian spices and will be of major value to any researcher with interest in the past, present and future of this product.

This book "Spices" comprehends and provides latest information on economic importance, botany, chemical composition, crop improvement, agro-technology, post harvest technology and end uses of 52 spices identified by the spices board. The book is organized into 6 chapteThe authors with their vast experience in tropical spices have brought their scientific as well as practical experience in collecting and presenting the information concisely. Although the book is a sublimate of the Indian expertise in spices, the contents are very useful and relevant internationally. the book is targeted to the students and researchers in the area of horticulture, agriculture, industry people, exporters processors and end users.

This is a comprehensive handbook for food processors covering over 30 major herbs and spices. It is introduced with general information about the spices trade, and quality and safety issues, followed by details on individual herbs and spices.