Things to Consider While Buying Spices

Spices have been an integral part of Indian cuisine for centuries. It is well known that India had trade relations with many other countries mainly because of the spices that were grown here. The demand and popularity of these spices have grown worldwide today reaching every nook and corner of the world. Today, different cuisines in the world are dependent on many varieties of spices without which imagining a tasty meal is nearly impossible. So, what makes the spices so special? How do you choose the right spices?

There are not any hard and fast rules while picking your spices but there are some factors that need to be considered before buying them. Let's have a look at some of them.

1. Colour - Many spice varieties have their own distinct colours which indicates the condition of the particular spice whether it is fresh or old. If the spice is not in the desired colour, maybe you need to think twice before buying it. Looks of the spice is the first indicator weather you can go for the purchase or not.
2. Smell - Perhaps the most indicative and distinct property of any spice is its smell. If you have ever been to a spice godown, you would be overwhelmed by the distinct smell of the spice which is a sure shot indicator of its condition. If the spice is smelling good and strong, it is of good quality but on the other hand, if there is no smell or a different odor, you may have to consider again before going for its purchase.
3. Taste - Spices enhance the taste of any meal or cuisine. It's not practical to test or taste every spice before buying them. In some cases, the above two indicators like looks and smell would suffice to give you an idea of how the spice might taste but there are also spices which can be tried with a small sample. A strong taste indicates the spices are well ripe and ready-to-use, while a mild taste or any other different flavour is not usually recommended.
4. Packaging - It's crucial to check the packaging of your spice before buying it because the packaging plays a major role in deciding the freshness and shelf life of the spices. Do not always be influenced by how attractive the packaging looks and the image of the spice on the package. Usually, if you are able to gauge the spice by seeing it through a small transparent viewing window provided in the package itself, it will give you an idea of how the spice visually appears and also gives an idea how fresh and moisture free it is inside. Packages that are open, cut, with holes, or puffed unusually are a definite no-no.
5. Quantity - When buying spices, you should know what and how much to buy because anything less or more than the recommended quantity does not give you the desired result. It is important to consider the shelf lives of spices before buying them in bulk quantities and storing them for future use. We obviously don't want them to go waste, right?
6. Source - The last but not the least priority is to know the source or origin of your spices. Checking beforehand the place of origin of the spice decides the quality and flavour of the spice, also influencing one's priorities while making their purchase. Many spice enthusiasts are very particular about where they are sourcing their spices from.

Now that you have learnt a bit or two about your spices, it is time to go and pick the finest quality spices at https://swastiks.com/. We recommend you try Swastik Masalas and spices which are strictly selected for the highest quality and flavour. Swastik group has always emphasized on giving the highest grade products without which it would not have been such a well-known household brand today. Are you ready to spice up with Swastik?