English Malayalam Spice Names

Here is a Glossary of commonly used Indian Spices. I have tried to collect all possible English Malayalam names for the spices. Some spices like Aniseed, Caraway are often confused with similar spices and interchangeably used.

Check out the pictures below to know more about each spice.

• Patta/Karugapatta – Cinnamon
• Elakka – Cardamom
• Grambu – Cloves
• Jathikka – Nutmeg
• JathiPoo – Mace
• Takkolam – Star Anise
• Kus Kus – Poppy seeds
• Jeerakam – Cumin
• Perum Jeerakam (Saumph or Moti saumph in Hindi) – Fennel Seeds/ Sweet Cumin
• Saumph (Patli Saumph or Choti Saunf in Hindi) – Aniseed/Anise – (Aniseed and Fennel Seeds are often Confused. Aniseed is used as Mouth Freshener and is expensive. Fennel seeds are often used in Kerala Cuisine.)
• Karinjeerakam (Kaala Jeera or Shah Jeera in Hindi) – Black Cumin/ Black Caraway – (Nigella Seeds are also known as Black Cumin though it is entirely different from Kaala Jeera.)
• Sheema Jeerakam (Shia Jeera) – Caraway seeds/ Persian Cumin/ Meridian Fennel (Caraway seeds and Black Cumin are often confused. Black Cumin is used in Biryani and Caraway seeds are used for flavoring Breads and Cakes in some cuisines.)
• Ayamodagam – Ajowan caraway / Thymol seeds/ Carom/ Ajowan/ Ajwain
• Ellu – Sesame seeds
• Kunkumapoov – Saffron
• Uluva – Fenugreek
• Kayam – Asafoetida
• Tulasi – Basil
• Karuva Ella – Bay leaf
• Karutha Uppu – Black Salt
• Karivepala / Vepala – Curry Leaves
• Malliyilla / KothaMalli – Cilantro / Coriander Leaves
• Manjal – Turmeric
• Malli – Coriander
• Mulaku – Chilly
• Kurumulaku – Pepper