Cilantro / Coriander
Cilantro is a member of the carrot family (Coriandrum sativum). The plant and leaves are called cilantro, while the seeds (used as a spice) are called coriander. Interestingly; coriander is one of the oldest used herbs and spices in human history. It finds mention in the Bible, and the seeds have been found in ruins dating back to 5000 B.C. The name is probably derived from the Greek word corys, meaning bedbug; this is an obvious reference to the strong aroma emitted by the leaves and stems of the cilantro plant, when crushed. The seeds have a lemony citrus flavor when crushed, due to the presence of the terpenes linalool and pinene. It is also described as warm, nutty, spicy, and orange-flavored.

Fenugreek
This annual herbaceous plant (Trigonella foenum-graecum, Family: Leguminosae) is a native of North Africa and eastern Mediterranean countries; it is widely cultivated in India. Fenugreek seeds have been used as a spice since ancient times. Since ancient times Fenugreek was known to have possessed medicinal properties. Modern medicine has revealed that fenugreek seeds possess anti-diabetic, nutritive and restorative properties. They are also believed to stimulate the digestive process in human beings.

Turmeric Powder  
Turmeric is a member of the ginger family. Turmeric is used as a coloring agent as well as for flavor. Known for its high carcumin (color property) content. Almost all Indian dishes contain at least a dash of turmeric. Turmeric is a very healthy spice. The spice contains unique aromatic characteristics. Turmeric also has therapeutic properties. Turmeric comes from the dried roots of a curcuma longaspices plant, grown in India and china. A dash of turmeric in hot buttered milk is very soothing for sore throats.

Black Pepper Powder  
Fine ground, highly aromatic pepper is acclaimed for its superb flavor and bite. These 'bold' berried peppers are sourced from the erstwhile shipping port 'Allepey' - a Southern district of Kerala. Considered "the King of Spices", black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) is whole dried fruit of the plant while white pepper is dried seed after removing the pericarp of berries. About 90 per cent of the produce is marketed in the form of black pepper and the rest as green pepper for pickling or processed as dehydrated pepper. Oil and oleoresin from pepper are being extracted by an increasing number of processing units. Black pepper is native to India; the evergreen forests of the Malabar Coast of Southern India are considered the center of origin.

Tamarind    
Native to Southern and Central India, Africa, America and Burma, Tamarind is a multi-purpose herb. Almost all parts of it can be used; beans, seeds, pulp, leaves, flowers, juice and bark. There are two types of Tamarind beans; one is smaller in size, has a red colored pulp when ripe and has smaller seeds, while the other is longer, has a brownish pulp when ripe and has bigger seeds. The former is the type of tamarind that is used in medicine. Tamarind is acidic and excites the bile and other juices in the body. Tamarind is also a blood purifier. Folk medicine uses Tamarind leaves for sprains and swelling.