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.
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 TransliterationComments
GingerআদাAadaUsed as fresh and also dried powder form.
AmchoorআমচুরAamchurDried green mango powder that gives fish curries tartness.
Celery / radhuni seedরাধুনীRaadhuni
Ajwainজোয়ানJowaan
Indian gooseberryআমলকিAamlokiUsed as pickle, green and ripe fruits. dried and powder fruit are used to treat damage hair.
Pomegranate seedআনারদানাAanardanaUsed in cake and desserts, and to decorate food
Tulsi or BasilতুলসীTulsiLeaves are used to treat cold
AlmondকাঠবাদামKaath-Baadam-
Green cardamomএলাচElaachUsed in cooking food and desserts to increase flavor.
Large cardamomবড় এলাচBoro elaachVery earthy and darkly aromatic.
CinnamonদারচিনিDaarchiniGive aromatic flavor in food.
Coriander seedধনেDhone-
Garam masalaগরম মশলাGaram MashlaBlend of spices which varies between regions and households.
Rose waterগোলাপ জলGolap JolFlavors desserts. Used more often in dishes with origins in the middle east.
Gurh গুড়Gurhfrom the sap of the sugarcane, coconut palm or date palm
TurmericহলুদHoludSource of "yellow color" in many dishes.
Coriander leafধনে 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 Cuminগোটা জিরেGota Jire-
Curry LeafকারিপাতাKaripataOnly used fresh.
Neem Leafনিম পাতাNim Pata-
Cashew nutকাজুবাদামKaju Badam-
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 seedপোস্তPosto-
GarlicরসুনRosun-
Dry Red Chilliশুকনো লঙ্কা / লাল মরিচShukno Lanka /
Lal Morich
-
Clovesলবঙ্গLabongo
Fenugreek leafমেথি 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 হিঙHeeng