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Nigella Seeds - Mungrelo, Mugrelo - (मुग्रेलो, मुन्ग्रेलो)

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Nigella Seeds - Mungrelo, Mugrelo - ( मुग्रेलो , मुन्ग्रेलो ) Also known as black cumin, black onion seeds and kalonji , these are small, triangular, black seeds with rough surface and white interior.  They have a lingering flavor described as peppery, nutty, and bitter.  The whole seed is not very strong, but when crushed they have a distinct pungent flavor.  Close-up look of Nigella seeds. Nigella seeds are often confused with onion seeds, but they are quite different and should not be substituted. The seeds are usually fried or toasted to enhance their flavor, and cooked with meat, fish curries, vegetables such as pumpkins, and used extensively in pickles.

Mustard Seeds - Rayo or Sarysun - (तोरी, राई)

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Mustard Seeds - Rayo or Sarysun - ( तोरी , राई ) These small round seeds come from mustard plant, a common annual field crop.  They range from reddish-brown to dark brown color, but when crushed they are yellow on the inside.  They have a pungent, sharp flavor, but when fried in oil, they impart a mellow nutty flavor.   Preparing Nepalese pickles (achaar), the ground and coarsely ground mustard seeds are used, they are must have ingredients because of their wonderful preservative properties, which discourages mold and bacteria. Mustard Seeds bought at the Indian grocery store. In the above picture (L to R) crushed yellow mustard seeds, Dijon mustard, finely ground mustard, brown mustard seeds, Crushed brown mustard, dark-brown mustard seeds, and the center is pale-yellow mustard seeds Mustard seeds range from reddish-brown to dark brown in color.  Photo taken at Nepali spice markets. Yellow mustard seeds (sarsyan) are used to cook fish and are believed to eliminate fishy odors.

Ginger - Aduwa or Adua - (अदुवा)

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Ginger - Aduwa or Adua - (अदुवा) Although fresh ginger is sometimes called ginger root, it is actually an underground creeping rhizome.  The attractive plant has long leaves, and grow up to three feet tall, forming rhizomes that are dug up from the ground as they mature.  Fresh ginger has cream to light brown colored skin with pale yellow flesh, and provides the freshest flavor and spicy biting taste. Fresh ginger in a wicker basket - most important spice in Nepali cooking. Young ginger rhizome - The attractive plant has long leaves, forming rhizomes that are dug up from the ground as they mature. New harvest - fresh ginger Friend's farm house in Nawalparasi, Nepal - watching the process of harvesting ginger - digging from the ground, separating, and drying in the sun. The villagers told me that Nepal is one of the top exporters of ginger rhizome in the world. Powdered ginger is convenient, but has a different flavor and I do not  substitute for fresh ginger. Ca

Fenugreek Seeds - Methi ko Geda - (मेथी)

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Fenugreek Seeds - Methi ko Geda - ( मेथी ) An indispensable spice in Nepali cooking, these brownish-yellow rectangular seeds are very hard and highly aromatic.  The seeds have a very strong, unpleasantly bitter taste in the raw stage, but when cooked, they emit a wonderful aroma.   Fenugreek seeds are used in small quantities, and in many recipes, the whole seeds are first fried in oil to bring out the maximum flavor. Here in the picture (taken in Kathmandu), a street vendor is using a local measuring devise called maanaa and paathi to measure fenugreek seeds.  This metal handy tool is still used to measure rice, lentils, other grains, spices, and small fruits. I n the above picture fenugreek seeds are used whole, crushed and ground.  The seeds can also be soaked, sprouted, and used in salads or pickles.  The young and fresh green leaves (methi ko saag) of the fenugreek plant is also used in various ways.

Cumin Seeds - Jeera, Jira ko Geda - (जीरा)

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Cumin Seeds - Jeera, Jira ko Geda - (जीरा) Cumin seeds are gray green, oblong, ridged and thicker in the middle with pointed ends, somewhat resembling caraway or fennel seeds in appearance.  Cumin seeds are available either whole or ground at most supermarkets.  The flavor of ground cumin seeds loses its potency once it ages, so grind it fresh or purchase it in small quantities.  Close-up picture of cumin seeds - Ground cumin has a distinct, strong, and powerful flavor and should be used carefully in measured quantities; otherwise, it may dominate a dish. Cumin seeds are either used whole, ground, or lightly crushed, and are used extensively in Nepali cooking. Cumin seeds are an essential ingredients in Nepali spice blends.  The above picture was taken at Nepali spice markets.

Coriander Seeds - Dhania ko Geda - (धनियाँ)

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Coriander Seeds - Dhania ko Geda - ( धनियाँ ) The dried, ripe fruit of hardy annual plant from the parsley family, coriander seeds are beige or yellowish-brown in color, slightly smaller than peppercorns, with longitudinal ridges, that can be easily split into halves.  They have a very pleasant and sweet aroma, with a hint of citrus. Coriander seeds are a valued spice in Nepali cooking and extensively used as a flavoring agent in nearly almost all dishes.  The combination of cumin and coriander is one of the most common seasonings in Nepali cuisine.  In many recipes, both coriander leaves (cilantro) and seeds are used to create a wonderful flavor.  

Cloves - Lwang - (ल्वाङ्ग)

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Cloves - Lwang - (ल्वाङ्ग) The dried buds of tropical evergreen tree, cloves are reddish-brown in color with rounded flower head.  They are one of the most important Nepali spices, used both for culinary and medicinal purpose.  In Sanskrit, cloves are called deva kusuma meaning "the flower of the gods" or auspicious bud."  Cloves are either used whole or ground to flavor many Nepali dishes such as meat, poultry, vegetable stews, and rice, but rarely in sweet dishes.  When gently sauteed, the spice swells and releases a pleasant aroma. Aside from its culinary use, cloves are also used to freshen one's mouth.  Nepalese chew cloves throughout the day, alone or with green or black cardamom or cinnamon sticks and betel nuts.  Chewing cloves is certainly a cultivated taste, and at first, they can be bitingly sharp, hot, and leave a numb sensation in the mouth, but once you get used to it you enjoy the taste. A decorative bowl full of cloves  -  used as an air freshene

Cinnamon, Cassia Bark - Daalchini - (दालचीनी)

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Cinnamon, Cassia Bark - Daalchini - (दालचीनी) One of the oldest known and most aromatic spices, cinnamon is the dried inner bark of a tropical evergreen tree.  The bark is reddish-brown in color, pungent, sharp tasting, and easily breakable. Cinnamon sticks keep indefinitely, but ground cinnamon loses its flavor more quickly. Picture of a Nepali cinnamon - cassia bark, large, thicker and coarser and a feel of a tree bark, easily breakable.  In Nepal, a small stick of cinnamon is chewed with cardamom and cloves after a heavily spiced meal to freshen the breath and palate. Cinnamon quills - very flavorful Cinnamon is used either whole or ground to flavor sauces, rice, desserts, syrups, and is brewed with Nepali milky tea.  Cinnamon is also one of the components of Nepali spice blends.

Cilantro or Fresh Coriander - Hariyo Dhania ko Paat, Dhaniyan ko saag (धनियाँको साग)

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Cilantro or Fresh Coriander  - Hariyo Dhania ko Paat, Dhaniyan ko saag ( धनियाँको साग) Also called fresh coriander or Chinese parsley,  cilantro is the fresh leaves and stems of the coriander plant.  The seeds and leaves have completely different flavors and aromas and cannot be substituted for one another.  Fresh cilantro has  distinct and sharp flavor, whereas the seeds are much milder.  Freshly picked cilantro is sold neatly tied in bunches with stems and roots in Nepali markets. A small amount of chopped fresh cilantro is sprinkled on nearly every Nepali dish as a garnish and to add extra flavor. Fresh cilantro leaves, stems and roots can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week in a container lined with a paper towel.

Cardamom, Green Pods - Sukumel, Sano Sukumel, Sukmel - (सुकमेल, सानो सुकुमेल, सुकुमेल)

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Cardamom, Green Pods - Sukumel, Sano Sukumel, Sukmel - (सुकमेल, सानो सुकुमेल, सुकुमेल) The dried fruit of a perennial bushy plant of the ginger family, green cardamom pods are three-sided, smooth skinned, and contain reddish-brown seeds.  The seeds are sticky and have a highly aromatic flavor with a hint of eucalyptus.  Because of its high price, it is used sparingly.  When the recipe calls for whole cardamom, the pods are cracked leaving the seeds intact, adding a subtle flavor to dish.  Please see more description of this valuable spice in wikipedia. Whole Green Cardamom Pods Cardamom is one of the most important ingredients in Nepali sweets, and is also popular in meat and vegetable curries, sweet preserved pickles, and beverages.  It is also one of the ingredients used to make Nepali garam masala (spice mixture).  In the above picture, cardamom is used in freshly ground form, whole cardamom seeds, and just slightly cracked. Cardamom seeds are also chewed after dinner or any

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