Home » Indian Food

English name of common Indian Spices and Ingredients


Spices are very important part of Indian Cuisine, here is a list which I got on my old Hard Disk, and probably I got this info in some forwarded email. So, thought of sharing it here as we do have a recipes section here, moreover if you want to try cooking some Indian delight, this will be helpful for you. You can download a pdf of this from here

Spices and Herbs (Masala)
English NameHindi Name
Alkanet RootRatan Jot
AlumFitkari, Phitkari
Anise SeedChoti Saunf, Suwa, Shopa
ArrowrootPaniphal, Tikora
AsafoetidaHing
Basil HolyTulsi
Bay Leaf IndianTej Patta
Black CuminShahi Jeera, Himali Jeera, Kala Jeera
Black Mustard SeedsRai
Black Mustard seeds CrackedRai Kuria
Black PeppercornKali Mirch
Black Rock saltSanchal, Kala Namak
Cardamom BlackBari Elaichi
Cardamom GreenChoti Elaichi
Carom SeedAjwain
CassiaJangli Dalchini
Cayenne PepperLal Mirch
Celery seedsAjmud
CilantroHara Dhania Patta
Citric AcidNimboo Phool, Saji na Phool
CinnamonDalchini
ClovesLaung, Lavang
Coriander seedsDhania
Cumin seedsJeera
Curry LeafMeetha Neem Patta, Kari Patta
DillSoa
FennelMoti Saunf, Saunf
Fenugreek Leaves driedKasoori Methi
Fenugreek seedsMethi Daane
Garcinia indicaKokum
Garlic FreshLassun
Ginger Fresh rhizomeAdrak
Ginger Dried rhizomeSaunth
Gold leaf edibleSona Varak
Gum Katira SapGond Katira
Green ChiliHari Mirch, I use Serrano
HoneyShahad
IllaichiChhoti elaichi
LicoriceMulathi, Jethi-madh
Lime PicklingPaan-Choona
Long PepperPippali
Lotus seed popsMakhna
JaggeryGur, Raw sugar cake Sources: Sugar cane, Palm
MaceJavitri
Mango powderAmchoor, Amchur …. Dried Tart Green Mango Powder
Mustard SeedsSarson, Rai
Mustard Seeds crackedRai Kuria
Mustard OilSarson Tel
NigellaKalonji
NutmegJaifal
OnionPiyaz
Paprika (Kashmiri Paprika)Degi Mirch
Peppermint freshPodina
Pomegranate seedsAnar-daana
Poppy SeedsKhuskhus
Red ChiliLal Mirch
RoseGulab
Rose waterGulab jal
SageKamarkas
SaffronKesar, Zaafraan
SaltNamak
Salt SeaSaindha Namak
Salt Sanchal BlackKala Namak
ScallionHara Piyaz
Screwpine essenceKewra
SesameTil
Silver edible leafChandi Varak
Star AnisChakraphool
SugarChini
SumacSumaq
TamarindImli
TurmericHaldi
Turmeric – Fresh rhizomeKachi Haldi
ThymeAjwain ke phool for substitution purposes only
VinegarSirka
White PepperSafed Mirch
Yeast Live sour doughKhameer
YeastSamunder Jhag, Cuttle Stone soft rock, Toddy
Essence (generic) Khusboo, Attar, Ruh, Ittar
Rose EssenceGulab-Jal
Screwpine EssenceKewra
Vetiver EssenceKhas
Dried Fruits and Nuts (Mewa)
English NameHindi Name
Apricot driedKhubani
DatesKhajoor
Dates Dry skinChhohara
FigAnjeer
Gooseberry Indian (Emblica)Amla
PrunesManukka
RaisinsKishmish
Raisins seedless yellowSultana
Nuts and Seeds 
AlmondsBadaam
Cantaloupe seedKharbooza ke beej
CashewsKajoo
CoconutNaarial Khopra
FlaxseedsAlsi
Gorgon Nut Puffed KernelMakhana
PeanutsMungphali
Pine NutsChilgoza
Pistachio NutsPista
Pistachio SoftChironghi
Pumpkin seedsKaddu Beej
SafflowerKusam Kusumbo
Sesame SeedTil
SunflowerSooraj-mukhi
Watermelon seedTarbooj ke beej
WalnutsAkhroat/ Akhrot
Fruits(Phal)
AppleSeb
Apricot Jardaloo, Khumani
AvocadoMakhanphal
BananaKela
CantaloupeKharbooja
CranberryKaronda.  In realty, Karonda is  ‘Natal Plum’
FigAnjir
Gooseberry CapeRasbhari
GrapesAngoor
GrapefruitChakutra
GuavasAmrood
JackfruitKathal
Java PlumJamoon
LimeNimboo, Lemon does not exist but same as Nimboo
LoquatLokat
LycheeLeechee
MangoAam
MulberryShehtoot
Natal PlumKaronda
OlivesZetoon
OrangeSantra
Orange – NavelMosambi
PapayaPapeeta
PeachAadoo
PearNashpati
PineappleAnna-naas
PlumAloo-bukhaara
PomegranateAnar
Sapodilla Plum, SapotaChickoo
Star fruitKamrakh
Sugar caneGanna
Sweet LimeMusambi
WatermelonTarbooj
Grains Lentils Flours
BarleyJaun
BuckwheatKuttu
Cracked WheatDalia
Cream of WheatSooji
FarinaSooji
FlourAtta
Flour – BreadAtta. Durum wheat whole-meal whole-grain flour
Flour – ChickpeaBesan
Flour – Pastry, All purposeMaida. Super refined soft wheat flour
MaizeMakki
Millet – BarnyardJhungori
Millet – FingerRagi
Millet – FoxtailKheri
Millet – Great, SorghumJowar
Millet – LittleKodo
Millet – Pearl, SpikedBajara
OatsVilaiti Jaun
RiceChawal
Rice flattened flakesChewara, Poha
Rice puffedMurmura
SemolinaSooji, Rava
SorghumJowar
Tapioca (Cassava)Saboo-daana
VermicelliSeviyan
WheatGehoon
Wheat flourGehoon Atta
Legume Beans 
AlubiaSafed Rajma
Black Matpe (Black beans)Urad
ChickpeaChana, Desi Chana, Kabuli Chana
FavaVaal, Sem
Field pea splitMatar Dal
Garbanzo BeansKabuli Chana
Mung BeansMoong
Red Kidney BeanRajma
LentilMasoor
Pigeon peasArhar, Toor
Soya beanBhatma
Whole beansSabut
Split beansDal
Split skinless black chickpeasChana Dal
Decorticated Skinless beansDhuli
MeatsFowls Fish Oragns
Meats 
BeefGai ka Gosht
CowGai
GoatBakra ka Gosht
Meat genericGosht
PorkSooer  ka Gosht
RabbitKhargosh
VenisonHiran ka Gosht
Fowl 
ChickenMurghi
SquabChooza
DuckBattakh
EggAnda
Goose Bada-Battakh
Guinea fowlBada-Teetar
Partridge Teeter
PigeonKabutar
Quail greyBattar
Parts Organs 
BoneHaddi
BrainsBheja, Magaz
Feet (Trotters)Paya
HeadSir, Matha
HeartDil
IntestinesVajri
KidneyGurda
LegRaan
LiverKaleja
LungPhaypara
MarrowGuda
Minced ?ground MeatKeema
StomachOjhari, But
Stomach SkinBhuri
SpleenTilli
TesticlesKapura
TongueZabaan, Jeeb
UdderKhiri
Fish Seafood
Bombay DuckBombil,Bumallo.
Butter Fish IndianPabda, Puptai
Carp varietiesRohu, Rui
Cat FishSangtam
ClamsTeesrya
Cod RockGobro
CrabsKekda, Kurlya
Fish genericMachli
HerringBhing
King FishSurmai, Visonu
Lady FishKane, Nogli
MackerelBangda
Mullet  Boi, Parshey, Andawari, Shevto  
MusselsTeesari
Pearl SpotKarimeen
Perch ClimbingKoi Machli
PomfretPaplet
Pomfret,silverChandava
PrawnJhinga, Chingri, Chemen, Sungat
Red SnapperRane
RoeMachli Anda
Salmon IndianRaavas
SardinesPedvey
SawfishKandere
SharkZori
Shad IndianLlish Hilsa
Silver belleySurgutta
Snake headMurrai
SoleRepti, Morrul
Sorrel RedChukka Sag
SquidSamudra-pheni (or feni)
TunaChura
Turbot – IndianKuppa machli
TurtleKachhua
White baitKatai
Vegetables(Subzi)
Aloe VeraGawar Patha
Beans Cluster freshGowar ki phalli
Beans French freshPharas Beans
AubergineBaingan
Beet rootChukandar
Bell Pepper, CapsicumSimla Mirch
CeleryAjmud
CabbageBandh-Gobi
CarrotGaajar
CauliflowerPhool-Gobi
CilantroHara Dhania
Colocasia, Taro, EddoArbi, Arvi
Cluster beansGuar-phali
Corn KernelMakki
Corn on the cobBhutta
CowpeaLobhia
CucumberKheera
Cucumber English SkinnyKakri
EggplantBaingen
Gourd – AshPetha
Gourd – BitterKarela
Gourd – BottleGhiya. Lauki
Gourd – RidgedTorai
Gourd – SnakeChichinda
JackfruitKathal
Kohl RabiGanth Gobhi
Lotus stemBhein, Kamal Kakri
MushroomsKhumbi
Mustard GreensSarson Patta
Natal PlumKaronda
OkraBhindi
OnionPiyaaz
Peas GreenMattar
Peppermint Leaves FreshHara Podina
PotatoAloo
PumpkinKaddu. In Reality Kaddu is closer to butternut squash
RadishMooli
Red SorrelChukka Leaves
ScallionHari Piyaz
SpinachPaalak
Sweet PotatoShakar-kandi
TomatoTamatar
TurnipShalgam
Water Chestnuts IndianSinghaara
Taste Expressions
AromaKhush-boo, Sugandh
BadKharaab
BurntJalaa
BlandFeeka
ColdThunda
FreshTaaza
GoodBhariya … “Achha is just okay”
GravyTari, Rasa, Salan, Shorba
HotGaram
MashBharta
RawKuchaa
ReeksBad-boo
RipePukka
RottenGalaa
SaltyNamkeen
SavoryChat-pata
SharpTeekha
SourKhatta
StaleBaasi
SweetMeetha
TastySwaad
Cooking Tools
Hindi NameEnglish/Explanation
Atta ChhalniFlour sifter
BelanRolling pin
BhigonaCooking pot with a lid
ChaklaStone rolling board
ChakkuKnife
ChaliniSieve
ChamchaLarge Spoon (Approximately Tablespoon)
ChamchiSmall Spoon (Approximately half teaspoon)
ChimtaTongs
ChoolahU-shaped traditional stove
DegchiBrass or Copper cooking pot, narrow neck, round bottom
DongaLarge mixing or serving bowl
GharaLarge earthen pot to store food or water
HandiEarthen cooking pot, narrow neck, round bottom
Hamam DastaMortar & Pestle.
Imrit BaanPickling Crock made of Porcelain
Kaddu KasGrater
KalchhiSpoon Ladle
KarahiTraditional Indian Wok.
KatoriSmall curry bowl
PaltaTurner
SanchaMould
SeekhSkewer
Sil BattaFlat black stone and a Triangular Stone to crush spices with
SurahiLong neck earthen pot used to store water
TandoorDrum shaped clay oven
TarazooWeigh Scale
TawaIron griddle to make bread
Common Dairy Products
Chach, MatthaChurned homemade Yogurt with butter removed
ChennaCheese similar to small curd cheese
DahiHomemade Yogurt
DoodhMilk
GheeRendered butter
KhoyaReduced whole milk
Kheer Rice Pudding
LassiChurned homemade Yogurt
MakhanButter
MalaiCream
PaneerCheese similar to farmer’s pot cheese
RaitaCold Yogurt Soup
Common Breads
BaatiBread looking like bun cooked over ambers in Rajasthan
BhatureDeep fried Maida flat bread
ChapatiBasic whole wheat un-leavened flat bread, aka Roti
KulchaBaked Maida flat bread
NaanLeavened flat bread baked in clay oven.
ParathaGriddle Fried flat bread
PhulkaLight weight version of Basic whole wheat bread (Roti)
Poori Deep fried flat puffed bread
Poori LoachDeep fried Maida flat puffed bread
RoomaliVery Very thin bread
Roti Basic whole wheat un-leavened flat bread, aka Chapati
Roti MissyMulti grain basic flat bread
Roti MakkiCorn (Maze) basic flat bread
General Terms
Beverages 
Chai Hot tea
DarooCountry Liquor
KanjiFermented Carrot beverage
PaaniWater
SharabAlcohol
ShikanjamiLimeade
ThandaiiSweet Beverage made with combination of seeds and nuts
ToddyNatural sap wine collected from Palm trees.
Desserts 
BurfeeDiamond shaped cake from reduced milk or Garbanzo flour.
ChikkiForm of brittle, commonly made with peanuts or cashews
FirniRice flour pudding
GajakForm of Fudge, commonly made with sesame seeds
Halva-CarrotCarrot cake
Halva-SoojiCream of wheat cake
KheerRice Pudding
RasgullaCheese balls in syrup
Miscellaneous 
AchaarPickle
Bhagar, TarkaTempering Dal
BhartaMashed food
BharwaStuffed
BhajjiBatter laced minced food Pattie
BhujiaDamp Dry Curry
BhurjiDamp Dry Curry
BhunaPan fried or Pan roasted
DalLegume soup
DhansakParsi curry with legumes
Do PiyazDamp curry containing half or more onions 
DosaSouth Indian Rice/Bean crepe
IdliSouth Indian Rice/Bean dumpling
GudaPulp
KebabWhole food roasted
KoftaMeatball shaped minced food dish
Korma (Qorma)Mild aromatic curry made with yogurt and nuts
KhameerYeast
KhastaFlaky or crumbly
KheerRice Pudding
Khichree Rice and Beans cooked together
MakhniButtery Curry
Non-vegetarianMaasahari
PakoraDeep fried fritter
PapadomPapad Thin wafer cracker
PasandaMild aromatic vegetable or meat curry made with yogurt
PhitkariAlum
PickleAchar
Pilaf, PulaoPulao  Rice cooked with Vegetables Meat spices
Rind or PeelChilka
Rogan JoshBright red color meat curry from Kashmir
SamosaConical shaped deep fried stuffed pastry
Sugar SyrupChaasni
TariBroth like curry
TikkaWhole- muscle or chunk food roasted or baked
TikkiMinced food Patty
VegetarianShakahari
VindalooA spicy hot Portuguese style (Goa) curry
Colors
BlackKaala
BlueNeela
BrownSaanvla, Khaki
CrimsonLohit (Bloody), Gehra Lal Rung
Deeper shadeGehra Rung
GreenHara
GreyBhoora Rung
IndigoGehra Neela Rung
Lighter shadeHalka Rung
MaroonAnaabi Rung
OrangeNaarangi
PinkGulabi
PurpleJamni
RedLal
SaffronKesari
VioletBaingani Rung
YellowPeela
WhiteSafed

Disclaimer : Like I said I did not create the list and I give the full credit to the person who made this list. He or may be She has done an awesome job here. Thanks

PS:If you would like to take a print of this, use the print utility of this site to takje a nice and handy print out.

Related posts:

  1. Find common places in Indian Cities with The City Guide
  2. How to make Brinjal Jalfrezi : Bengali Dish
  3. Indian Image: Indian Government Presence on the Web
Tagged with: | Need more help ? Ask your Questions at our Community or Make a search below.

Author

Posted on 11th September 2009 by , A fan of Indian Festivals and the Indian Culture. All posts by | Connect with me @Twitter | Stumble | Facebook

3 Comments »

  • wisconsin union theater west side story said:

    Another a really good writeup by you looking forward to visit more really soon.

  • Summer Camps said:

    Maybe you should change the page title English name of common Indian Spices and Ingredients to something more better for your subject you create. I enjoyed the post nevertheless.

or Ask A Question in our Forum