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India is a tropical country with a diverse landscape, courtesy of dense forests, significant monsoon patterns, different kinds of soil, mineral-rich rivers, and seasonal changes throughout the year. Together everything contributes to a rich agricultural landscape, making the country shine on global platforms.
While rice, wheat, millet, and vegetables dominate the farms, India is also known for cultivating some of the most expensive ingredients in the world. From varieties of tea to high-quality spices, these items contribute to the regional food tapestry and make epicureans around the world love Indian cuisine a little bit more every day.
Cashews
India and Ivory Coast are the largest producers of cashews in the world, covering 46% of the market. These nuts are rich in protein, vitamins, unsaturated fat, fibre, and minerals. While you will find them being used in the preparation of traditional sweets, regional gravies, and garnishing of snacks, the dry fruit offers lactose intolerant people an excellent substitute for dairy milk.
Kashmiri Saffron
Kashmiri saffron, known for its intense aroma, yellow-orange hue, and flavour, ranks among the most expensive spices in the world. It is considered rich in antioxidants, helps with insomnia, regulates the digestive system, and can uplift the mood. From starters to desserts, the spice is used beautifully across regional cuisines of India. Kashmir’s climate and soil are considered the best-suited to grow the rare flower which bears only 2-3 saffron strands.
Miyazaki Mangoes
Miyazaki Mangoes are unique with high sugar content and vivid red hue. They are rich in antioxidants and famous around the world for their egg-like shape. This fruit is grown in Odisha, Bihar, and West Bengal, and is sold for Rs 2.5 to Rs 3 lakh per kilogram in the international farmer’s market. Traditionally a Japanese ingredient, its cultivation in India has helped the country in trading practices.
Himalayan Morel Mushrooms
Also called gucchi mushrooms, Himalayan morel mushrooms is a wild variety that grows in the foothills of mountains. The weather, soil, and moisture contribute to the cultivation of these. These are rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals. Guchhi mushrooms are considered one of the costliest varieties of fungi in the world boasting anti-inflammatory properties.
Long Pepper
Another costly ingredient to look for in India is long pepper. This ancient spice has been known to connect the country with the rest of the world in ancient times. Its complex profile and spicy kick make it a must-add to many regional and international recipes. Grown in Kerala and a few other states, this ingredient has medicinal properties, is known to enhance the absorption of nutrients, and aids digestive ailments.
Cardamoms
From biryani to chai, Indian cardamoms are grown in two spices - black cardamom is a whole spice, and green pods are good for oral health and boast subtle sweetness. The soil, climate, and cultivation methods in the Western Ghats yield this spice with a distinct flavour and property to boost the immune system. Apart from cardamoms, Indian farmers also cultivate spices like cloves, nutmeg, vanilla, peppercorn, and cinnamon. They might not be the most expensive but certainly among the unique ingredients cultivated in the country.
Tea
Tea might have originated in China, but today India is known for the varieties of chai grown in northeastern and southern states. Being the second-largest producer of these aromatic and flavoured leaves, the country also consumes 70% of what it yields. If you go around the country, you will find vendors selling black tea, green tea, white tea, yellow tea, and countless variations of tea blends.
