Title: Spices and Condiments
Author: J. S. Pruthi
Published by: National Book Trust, India, New Delhi
Pages: 322 Rs.160/- First Edition: 1976, 5th: 1998 Reprints:4
This popular book covers the nomenclature, description, distribution, composition and uses of 86 spices. The book has also been translated into several Indian languages.
The various uses of spices in foods and beverages as flavourings, in medicine, and in perfumery and cosmetics are described in the book. It also covers the PFA quality standards for spices, as well as lists of other national (Agmark, ISI or BSI) and international (ISO) standards for spices, their products and their methods of test.
In ancient times, spies ranked with precious stones in the inventory of royal possessions and were monopolised by the few. Even today, spices and condiments play an important role in the national economies of several spice producing, importing and exporting countries. There is considerable volume of international trade in spices.
India is considered to be the “Home of Spices”. It is one of the major spice producing and exporting countries of the world. From 1980 to 1996-97, the increase in the foreign exchange earnings, by the export of spices was 1,200%.
Despite the tremendous importance of spices, India has not produced a single publication (until 1975) which covers information of general interest to the common man on all the 80 spices. Fortunately, now, we have this book which gives wealth of authentic information on 86 spices.