V R K EXPORTS Bangalore, Karnataka

Cumin is a small flowering herbaceous-plant having thin, slender and dark green leaves. Cumin seeds are popular for their distinctive spice- flavor and are used as an ingredient various cuisines the world over.

Cumin oil is used for flavouring desserts, condiments and alcoholic beverages. It is also used as a fragrance in creams, perfumes and lotions.

Vitamins C and E, found in cumin, are essential for healthy, young- looking skin. Cumin's essential oils also keep fungal and microbial infections away.

It is cultivated extensively in Northern India as a cold-weather crop. It comes up well in fairly mild climate. The dry and cold weather favours high seed production.

The leaves of fennel are used for garnishing. Leaves and stalks are used in salads. It is an essential ingredient in Italian sausages, widely used to sprinkle on pizza. Dried fruits have fragrant odour and pleasant aromatic taste. They are also used for flavouring soups, meat dishes, sauces, pastries, confectionaries and liquors. The fruits are aromatic and stimulant.

Mustard is an annual herb cultivated as oil-seed crop or as vegetable or as fodder, of which, 3 species are known for its condiment value. They are pale yellow or white mustard (Brassica hirta), brown mustard (Brassica juncea) and black mustard (Brassica nigra). The leaves of the plant are alternate, long, bristly-branched, and hairy on both sides. Flowers are small, yellow with four petals and seeds are 1.5 - 3mm.

It is grown as rabbi crop in Northern India. It is raised during rainy season from July to November in Southern India.

The major processed products are mustard powder used in the manufacture of mayonnaise. Whole mustard is used as a flavouring agent in Indian cooking, whereas ground mustard provides flavour and consistency in Bengali fish-curries. Mustard flour has preservative and antioxidant properties in addition to providing flavour and colour.