Spices Names in English, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, Marathi

Spices are the backbone of Indian cuisine. Indian food relies on the addition of a few spices or many spices. These are added sparingly to the food while cooking. Below you will find a list or glossary of spices with their English names and in some more Indian languages.

spices kept in a traditional indian basket.

Not only the spices, add a ton of flavor to the dish, but some of the spices like cumin, carom seeds, fennel seeds help in digestion. For this reason, they are added to many recipes to aid digestion.

A few spices like green chillies or red chili powder add some pungency and heat to the dish. Depending on the recipe, the spices are added whole or in their powdered/ground form to the food.

There are many spice blends made by grinding whole spices in the Indian cuisine. Many families make their own spice blends like the essential garam masala, coriander powder, cumin powder, sambar powder, rasam powder etc.

Although you can buy the spice mixes from outside but homemade is always better. As they are free from fillers, additives and preservatives. Homemade spice blends have more intense flavors and a great fragrance.

Spices can be stored easily in a cool dry place in an air tight jars or containers. Sometimes a few spices can have mold or fungal growth on them depending upon the climate conditions. In this case you have to discard these spices.

You can also store spices for a longer time in the refrigerator in an air-tight container. Lastly, when buying spices it is better to buy organic spices and check the expiry date on the package. Make sure to finish the spices within their shelf period.

Get the names of spices, in English, Hindi and some more Indian regional languages in the table below. I hope these translations of the names of the spices in various Indian languages is useful to you.

I am also thankful to all the readers who have shared the name of spices in these regional languages through emails and the comments below. It is because of their contribution we have been able to expand this list and make it bigger.

Note that if you are using mobile phone or tablet then scroll the below table from left to right to see all the names.

List of Spices Names

EnglishHindiTamilKannadaMarathiKonkaniGujarati
Aniseeds, fennel seedsSaunfSombu Badishep Variyali
AsafoetidaHingPerumkayam, perungayaHinguHingHinguHing
Basil seeds, sweet basilSabja seeds, subja, falooda seeds, tukmaria  Sabja Tukmariya
Indian Bay LeafTej PattaBrinji elai Tamalpatra, Tej Paan Tamal patra
Big mustard seedsSarson    Sarsav
Black cardamomBadi elaichiPeriya elakkai Mothi Ilaichi Elcho
Black cumin seedsKala jeeraKarung seeragam Kale Jeere  
Black mustard seedsRaiKadughu Mohri Rai
Black pepperKali mirchMilaguMenasinkaluKalimiri Mari
Black saltKala namak  Kale Meeth Sanchal
Caraway seedsShahijeeraPerum seeragam Shahajire Shahjeera
Carom seeds,
Thymol seeds,
Bishops weed
AjwainOmamOwaOwaWonwoAjmo
Chilli powderLal mirch powderMilagai tool Lal Mirchi Powder, Tikhat Marchu powder
CinnamonDalchiniLavanga pattai, pattaiDalchiniDalchiniDalchiniTaja
Clarified butterGheeNei Tup, Shuddha Toop Ghee
ClovesLaung, lavangKrambu Lavang Laving
Coconut desiccatedSukha nariyal ka choora/booraThuruvina thengai Sukhe Khobre Topranu khaman
Coconut drySukha nariyalUlarndha thengai Sukhe Khobre Copra, khopru
Coconut freshNariyalThengai Naral Khopru, topru
Coriander powderDhania powderDhaniya podi Dhane pood  
Coriander seedsSabut dhaniaKottumalli
Vidai, dhaniya
 Dhane Kothmir na dana
Coriander Leaves, CilantroDhaniya, dhaniaKothamalli ilai Sambhar, Kothimbir, Kothmir Kothmari/kothmir
Cumin seedsJeeraJeerakam Â Jeere Jeeru
Curry leavesKari patta, kadipathaKaruveppilai Kadi Patta, Godlimba Limda, mitho limbdo
Dry fenugreek leavesKasoori methiKaaindha vendhaya ilaigal Kasuri Methi  
Dry gingerSaunth, sounth, soonthSukkuSunthiSunthSunthiSunth
Dry mango powderAmchurMangai podiMavinkai
Churu
AamchurAmchurAmchur
Fenugreek seedsMethi ke daneMenthiyam, Vendhayam Methya dane Methi dana
Fenugreek LeavesMethiVendhaya Keerai Methi  
GarlicLasan, lahsun, lahsanPoondu Lasun Lasan
Fresh gingerAdrak, adhrakInji Ala Adu
Dry gingerSaunth, sonthSukku Sunth Sunth
Green cardamomHari elaichi, choti elaichiElakkai Veldoda, Velchi Elchi
Green chilliHari mirchPachai milagai Hirvi mirchi Chidiya marcha/lilu marchu
Ground nut, peanutsMoongphalli, mungphaliNila kadalei Sheng dane Shing
Holy basilTulsiTulasi Tulas Tulsi
JaggeryGurVellamBellaGulGodGol
Palm jaggeryTara gura, sharkara tadaPana vellam    
LimeNimboo, nimbuElumichai Limbu Limbu
Cocum, kokumBhirinda, bhirnda  Kokam, aamsul  
Lime peelNimbu ka chilkaElumichai thol Limbachi Saal  
MaceJayitri, javitri, javntryJaipatriJaipatriJaipatriJaipatriJavintri
MintPudina, podinaPudina, pudhina Pudina Phudino
NutmegJaiphalJhadhikkai Jaiphal Jaiphal
Onion seeds,
Nigella
Kalonji, kalaungiKalonji   Kalonji
Pine nutsChilgoze, nioze     
Dry pomegranate seedsAnardanaKaaindha maadhulai vidhaigal   Dadum na dana
Poppy seedsKhus khusKhasa khasa Khas Khas Khas khas
RaisinsKismishKaindha dratchai / ularndha dratchai Bedane Suki draksh
Red chilliLal mirchMilakai Vatral Lal mirchi  
Rock saltSendha namakKal uppu Sendhe laun Sindhalu
Mithu
Rock flower,
Stone flower
Pathar phoolKalpaasi Dagad phool  
SaltNamakUppu Meeth Mithu
Sesame seedsTilEllu Til Tul
SaffronKunkuma, kesar, zafranKumkumappu Keshar Kesar
Screwpine, pandanusKewraRambai ilaigal    
Sichuan pepper,
Szechwan pepper
Timur, tirphal, tephal, teppal     
Star aniseChakriphoolLavanga poo    
SultanasMunakka  Manuka  
TamarindImliPuli Chincha  
TurmericHaldiManjal Halad  
VetiverKhus     
VinegarSirka     
 Water melon seedsTarbuj ke beejTharboosani vidhaigal Kalingad Bee  

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This Spices List post from the archives (first published in April 2009) has been republished and updated on 13 June 2021.

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286 Comments

  1. In Punjabi we say Maggan, a herb. what is the english name please?
    Thanks

    1. Dry ginger in root form and in powdered form it is dry ginger powder or ground ginger.