General Awareness · Biology

Indian Spices and Herbs

2,036 Questions

Indian spices and herbs form the foundation of regional cuisines, adding distinct flavors, colors, and medicinal properties to food. Topics include traditional spice blends, Ayurvedic herb properties, and the origins of various culinary ingredients. These cultural and general science questions are useful for tourism and state level exams.

Traditional spice blendsAyurvedic herbsSpice productionRegional chutneysMedicinal spices

Indian Spices and Herbs Questions

Multiple choice general knowledge

patta

  1. Cardamom

  2. Fenugreek

  3. Cinnamon

  4. Mustard
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Patta is the Tamil word for cardamom, a widely used spice in Indian cuisine and traditional medicine. Cardamom is known as the 'queen of spices' and is native to the Western Ghats of India. Fenugreek is vendhayam, cinnamon is ilavangam, and mustard is kadugu in Tamil.

Multiple choice general knowledge

which part of the saffron is used for preparing perfume

  1. LEAVES

  2. FLOWER

  3. STEM

  4. STIGMA
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The saffron spice is obtained from the stigmas (the thread-like female reproductive parts) of the Crocus sativus flower. Each flower produces only 3 stigmas, which are hand-picked and dried to produce saffron. Leaves, stems, and petals are not used for saffron production.

Multiple choice general knowledge

Which is the most expensive spice of the world?

  1. Cinnamon

  2. Clove

  3. Saffron

  4. Ginger
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Saffron is the most expensive spice in the world by weight, derived from the Crocus sativus flower. Each flower produces only 3 stigmas (saffron threads), and it requires approximately 75,000-150,000 flowers to produce just 1 pound of saffron, making it extremely labor-intensive and costly.

Multiple choice

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

A perennial shrub called turmeric contains curcumin and is considered as an essential spice by most Asians, though it is virtually unavailable outside India.

  1. A perennial shrub called turmeric contains curcumin and is considered as an essential spice by most Asians, though it is virtually unavailable outside India.

  2. Considered to be an essential spice by most Asians, turmeric is a perennial shrub that contains curcumin, virtually unavailable outside India.

  3. A perennial shrub called turmeric contains curcumin and is considered an essential spice by most Asians, though it is virtually unavailable outside India.

  4. Most Asians consider turmeric, a perennial shrub which contains curcumin, as an essential spice virtually unavailable outside India.

  5. Though virtually unavailable outside India, most Asians consider turmeric, a perennial shrub that contains curcumin, an essential spice.

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Correct; removes idiomatic error by using 'considered + noun (essential spice)

Multiple choice

Lathyrism is caused by excessive consumption of

  1. khesari dal

  2. mustard oil

  3. polished rice

  4. mushrooms
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Lathyrism is a neurological disease caused by excessive consumption of khesari dal (Lathyrus sativus or grass pea). The pulse contains a neurotoxin called ODAP (β-N-oxalyl-L-α,β-diaminopropionic acid) which can cause paralysis if consumed as a major dietary staple over long periods. The condition was historically observed in areas affected by famines.

Multiple choice

Which species of Jasmine is grown for essential oil in India?

  1. Jasminum grandiflorum

  2. Jasminum sambac

  3. Jasminum pubescens

  4. Jasminum humile

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Jasminum sambac, commonly known as Arabian jasmine or 'Mogra' in India, is the primary species cultivated for essential oil production. Its highly fragrant flowers are used in perfumery and the famous jasmine attar. While Jasminum grandiflorum (Spanish jasmine) is also grown, J. sambac is preferred for oil extraction in Indian conditions.

Multiple choice

We add this ingredient to our food to add flavours, taste and smell. Among these, some ingredients are under ground stem, some are seeds and some are dried buds. Which of the following ingredient it may be?

  1. Oil seed

  2. Dry fruits

  3. Pulses

  4. Spices

  5. Cereals
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

We add spices to our food to add flavour. Turmeric, ginger and garlic are most common underground stem used to enhance flavour. Coriander, cumin and pepper are seeds and cloves are dried buds, used to add flavour to the food. So this is the right answer.

Multiple choice

A common adulterant found in turmeric powder is

  1. khesari dal

  2. chicory

  3. lead chromate

  4. saccharin
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

A common adulterant found in turmeric powder is lead chromate. It can cause anemia, abortion, paralysis and brain damage.