Spice oils, or oleoresins, are essential to Indian cuisine, providing aroma and taste to dishes like curries. They contribute not only to flavor but also to health benefits, with spices known for aiding digestion and possessing anti-inflammatory properties. Choosing high-quality spices with natural oils ensures freshness, taste, and nutritional benefits.

1. Importance of Spice Oil
When we think about Indian cuisine, masalas or spice powders become an
indispensable ingredient. The secret to different curries throughout different
parts of India is attributed to the various blends of masalas used. Two main
attributes of spices when added to our food is aroma and taste. Without either
one, our food would have no character. Imagine eating chicken tikka or paneer
butter masala without the taste of the actual masala. It’s the aroma of these
masalas when cooked which often arouses hunger. So what gives spices their
characteristic taste and aroma? It’s a special component of spices called spice
oils or oleoresins.
Spice oleoresins represent the complete flavour profile of spice and spice oils
provide the characteristic aroma of the spice. Consequently, the contribution
of Indian spices to health benefits have been recorded since vedic times. Spices
like ginger, cumin and cinnamon have long been used for treating problems
related to digestion. While spices such as turmeric and cloves have also been
noted for their anti-inflammatory properties.
Oleoresins or volatile oils define the true essence of the spices and quite often
these natural spice oils are extracted leaving behind what’s known as the
‘spent’ Masalas which are then used to make spice blends such as ‘garam

2. masala, pav bhaji masala and so on. It is a common practice to sell the
extracted oil is sold separately. For example in the food & beverage industry,
many processed food items such as meat, ready to eat soups and sauces are
fortified with spice oleoresins to lend it that particular spice flavour without
compromising the taste and aroma provided by the whole spice.
So how do you pick the best masalas which not only guarantee taste, but also
nutritious? Simple, choose spices which are made from superior quality raw
material and are full of natural spice oils guaranteeing freshness, taste and
aroma along with substantial nutritional benefits.
Reference:
1. http://www.indianspices.com/spice-products/oleoresins
2. http://www.teacoffeespiceofindia.com/spice/spice-health-lifestyle
3. http://thespicejournal.com/essential-oils-and-oleoresins/a-brief-
introduction-to-spice-oils-and-oleoresins/
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