Spice Crops

Many plants have been used for centuries as sources of spices for culinary use. Recently there has been an upsurge of interest in diversifying the range of such spices and in their agronomy, as alternative crops, in both temperate and tropical countries. This book provides a scientific review and guide to the botany and agronomy of the major families of plants used for the production of spices. Contents include: world production and trade; and chapters on Cruciferae, Lauraceae, Leguminosae, Piperaceae, Solanaceae, Unbelliferae, Zingiberaceae, and Minor crops.

Spices Constitute An Important Group Of Agricultural Commodities Which, Since Antiquity, Have Been Used For Flavouring Foods. Some Species Are Used In The Pharmaceutical, Perfumery, Cosmetics And Related Industries, And Others Possess Colourant, Preservative, Antioxidant, Antiseptic And Antibiotic Properties.India Is One Of The Leading Spice Producing And Exporting Countries In The World. In Addition, Large Quantities Of Spices Are Consumed Within The Country For Seasoning Of Food And For Several Other Purposes. No Other Country In The World Has Such A Diverse Variety Of Spice Crops As India.This Book Reflects The Intensive Research Carried Out On This Group Of 42 Spice Crops Since 1971, The Improvement In Agro-Techniques And The Release Of Many High-Yielding Varieties. It Provides Exhaustive Information On All Aspects Of Cultivation, Harvesting And Processing Of Each Crop And Will Be An Invaluable Aid To Students, Teachers And Growers Of Spice Crops, Both Individual And Corporate.

Spices are very important as food and as medicine, and they bring out the unique natural taste of cuisines and could be used to change the look of the food to make it more attractive in colour. The book is written in simple and lucid language to provide basic information about cultivation of spice crops.

Spices provide our food with nutraceutical value rather than actual nutrition. But apart from the popular and major spices, there are several other spices, which, in spite of their enormous contribution to human health, remain underexploited or underutilized. This new volume, Underexploited Spice Crops: Present Status, Agrotechnology, and Future Research Directions, is a valuable compilation of agrotechniques coupled with background information, research works, and scientific discussions on these spices. It will include in-depth narration on underexploited spice crops as products in influencing present-day the global export market and the renewed interest in these crops throughout the world. The volume deals with the scientific approach of growing underexploited spices with the intention of popularizing them. Separate chapters on the importance of each spice, methods of growing and harvesting, and recent research from around the world along with future strategies are covered.

A spice is a seed, fruit, root, bark or any other plant parts. Spices give aroma, color, flavor, taste and texture to food. Each spice has its unique, specific compounds that impart these sensual qualities. Spices are often used in medicines, religious rituals, cosmetics and perfume production. In this book the diseases affecting 29 spice crops have been dealt with. Description about each crop and the produce as well as the symptoms and possible control measures of the diseases attacking the crop is described in detail. A number of color photographs of the crops and produce and symptoms manifested by the diseases have been given. Further general characters of different genera of fungi causing the diseases along with figures depicting the life cycle of the fungal pathogens have also been included.

Spices are used in small quantities to add flavor, aroma, color, and texture in food preparation. However, spices and condiments have also been recognized as having medicinal value. They have been used traditionally as curative and preventive agents, the bioactive compounds obtained from these plants are used in herbal drug formulations in modern times. Medicinal Spice and Condiment Crops provides a comprehensive overview on the medicinal properties of spices and condiments with focus on various phytochemicals derived from them. KEY FEATURES: • Examines spices and condiments with respect to their biology, diversity, distribution, and pharmacological values. • Explores the scientific validations of the therapeutic potentials of spice and condiment plant species. • Discusses the bioactive agents involved in alleviating symptoms of cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, ulcers, skin disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases. • Explains specific medicinal features of spice and condiment-producing plant species inspiring research, discovery, and safe herbal drug formulation. A volume in the Exploring Medicinal Plants series, this book is useful for plant scientists, economic botanists, those who work with herbal and complementary medicine, as well as people working in the pharmaceutical industry.

The book covers around 700 species covering Latin family, common and local names distribution, market rate, chemical constituents. Sketches facilitates identity and comprehension by the reader.

The term Spice and Condiments applies to natural plant or vegetable products or mixtures in whole or ground form, which are used for imparting flavour, aroma and piquancy to the food items. Spices and condiments are a major commercial crop in India, and earn a major part of foreign exchange annually. They have been the backbone of agricultural industry. The importance of spices and condiment in dietary, medicinal and other uses, and their commercial importance are immense. India is known the world over as the home of spices. Thus spices are an important group of agricultural goods, which are virtually indispensable in the culinary art. Spice processing includes different steps: spice cleaning, spice reconditioning and spice grinding. Some spices were also used for preserving food like meat for a year or more without refrigeration. In the 16th century cloves for instance were among the spices used to preserve food without refrigeration. Cloves contain a chemical called eugenol that inhibits the growth of bacteria. It is a natural antibiotic. It is still used to preserve food like Virginia Ham. Likewise later mustard and ground mustard were also found to have preservative qualities. India alone contributes 25 30 % of the total world trade in spices. It may be interesting to note that nine spices namely pepper ginger clove cinnamon cassia mace nutmeg pimento (allspice) and cardamom alone contributed as much as 90% of the total world trade. Pepper is the most important spice in the world and so also of India. This book basically deals with brief history of spices, uses of spices, world trade in spices area & production of spices in India, area and production of spices in India, major and minor spices of India, spice processing, quality issues with spices, bird chillies and Tabasco chillies, basil or sweet basil, seasoning blend duplication and tricks, sauces and gravies, snack seasonings, quality issues with spices, etc. This book is a single compendium which deals with all aspects and facts of spices and condiments which may meet the requirements of all those handling them at various stages, from harvesting to their end use. This book contains post harvest management, the potentials of genetic engineering, high production technology in spices with plantation and processing of various spices and condiments such as vanilla, turmeric, tamarind, saffron, black pepper, onion, mint, ginger, garlic, curry leaf, coriander etc.