List of Bangladeshi spices

Bangladeshi spices include a variety of spices that are grown across South and Southeast Asia. Many of the spices are native to the region of Bangladesh, while the others were imported from similar climates and have since been cultivated locally for centuries.[1]

Spices are typically heated in a pan with ghee or cooking oil before being added to a dish. Lighter spices are added last, and spices with strong flavor should be added first. Curry is not a spice, but a term which refers to any side dish in Bangladeshi cuisine. It could be with a sauce base or a dry item. A curry typically contains several spices blended together.

List of Bangladeshi spices

Below is a list of spices and other flavoring substances commonly used in Bangladesh.

ImageEnglish nameBengali name (বাংলা নাম)TransliterationComments
Ginger[1]আদাAadaUsed as fresh and also dried powder form.
Amchoor[2]আমচুরAamchurDried green mango powder that gives fish curries tartness.
Celery / radhuni seed[3]রাধুনীRaadhuni
Ajwain[4]জোয়ানJowaan
Indian gooseberry[5]আমলকিAamlokiUsed as pickle, green and ripe fruits. dried and powder fruit are used to treat damage hair.
Pomegranate
Pomegranate seedডালিমDalimUsed in cake and desserts, and to decorate food
Tulsi[6] or BasilতুলসীTulsiLeaves are used to treat cold
Almond
Almond[7]কাঠবাদামKaath-Baadam
Cardamone
Green cardamom[1]এলাচElaachUsed in cooking food and desserts to increase flavor.
Large cardamom[8]বড় এলাচBoro elaachVery earthy and darkly aromatic.
Cinnamon[1]দারচিনিDaarchiniGive aromatic flavor in food.
Coriander seed[9]ধনেDhone
Garam masala[1]গরম মশলাGaram MashlaBlend of spices which varies between regions and households.
Rose water[10]গোলাপ জলGolap JolFlavors desserts. Used more often in dishes with origins in the middle east.
Gurh (Jaggery)[11]গুড়Gurhfrom the sap of the sugarcane, coconut palm or date palm
Turmeric[12]হলুদHoludSource of "yellow color" in many dishes.
Coriander leaf[13]ধনে পাতাDhone PataFresh green leaves, also called cilantro. Give flavor. Used as pickle.
Terminalia chebulaহরিতকিHoritoki
Green chili pepperকাঁচা মরিচ/ কাঁচা লঙ্কাKancha morich/Kancha lonka
Coriander powderধনে গুঁড়াDhone Gura
TamarindতেঁতুলTetulUsed as pickle.
Nutmegজায়ফলJaifol
Maceজয়িত্রিJoyitriMace is outer covering of nutmeg nut with similar aroma.
Cumin seedজিরাJeeraGive flavor to dishes. Have some medicinal uses like used to lose weight.
Whole Cumin[1]গোটা জিরেGota Jire
Curry LeafকারিপাতাKaripataOnly used fresh.
Neem Leafনিম পাতাNim Pata
Cashew nutকাজুবাদামKaju BadamKaju Badam is widely known as Cashew Nuts.
Black saltবিট নুন /

বিট লবণ

Bit Noon / Bit Lobon
Black cardamomকালো এলাচKalo ElaachEarthy fragrance used in Mughal inspired dishes.
Black pepperগোল মরিচGol MorichPowder pepper is used widely in different dishes.
Nigella seedকালো জিরাKalo Jeera
Fenugreek leafমেথি পাতাMethi Pata
Cubebকাবাব চিনিKabab Chini
SaffronজাফরানJafranDry saffron is used as food color.
DatesখেজুরKhejur
Poppy seed[1]পোস্তPosto
GarlicরসুনRosun
Dry Red Chilliশুকনো লঙ্কা / লাল মরিচShukno Lanka /

Lal Morich

Clovesলবঙ্গLabongo
Fenugreek leaf[1]মেথি পাতা ..Methi Pata
Fenugreek seedমেথি দানাMethi Dana
Saltনুন / লবণ/Noon / Lobon
CitronলেবুLebuUsed fresh and ripe as Juice and with food.. Source of Vitamin C.
Gandharaj Limeগন্ধরাজ লেবুGandharaj Lebu
Makrut Limeকাগ্জি লেবুKagji Lebu
Sweet Lemonশিরিন লেবুShirin Lebu
MintপুদিনাPudina
Shallotপেঁয়াজ কলিPeyanj Koli
Scallionপেঁয়াজ পাতাPeyanj Pata
Panch Phoronপাঁচ ফোড়নPanch ForonThis is a Bengali spice mix that combines fennel, cumin, fenugreek, mustard and nigella
Long pepperপিপুলPipul
Bell pepperকাপ্সিকুম/ক্যাপসিকামKapsikum
Brown mustard seedরাই/ সর্ষে / সরিষাRaai/Shorshe/Shorisha
White pepperসাদা সর্ষে / সাদা সরিষাSaada Sorshe/ Saada Shorisha
Mustard seedসর্ষেShorshe
Mustard oilসর্ষের তেলShorsher tæl
Fennel seedমৌরিMouri
Black Cuminকালো জিরেKalo JiraSweet, floral and smoky cumin and anise-like flavor. Smaller than regular cumin. Often mistaken for caraway seed. Though English translation is black cumin, the term black cumin is also used as English translation of Nigella sativa, kalonji
Vinegarসির্কাShirka
Dried gingerশুকানো আদা গুড়োShukano Ada GuraMostly powdered
Indian bay leafতেজ পাতাTej pata
Sesame seedতিলTeel
Heeng (Asafoetida)হিঙHeeng

See also

References