Indian Spices Multilingual Names Dictionary: English, Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Gujarati & Telugu (With Export Specs)
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India is the world's largest producer, consumer, and exporter of spices, supplying over 75 of the 109 spice varieties recognized by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). For global commodity buyers, food technologists, ayurvedic processors, and culinary researchers, cross-referencing regional trade vernacular is critical. This comprehensive multilingual dictionary maps the botanical, English, Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Gujarati, and Telugu names for India's primary agricultural export spices, alongside export purity benchmarks (Sortex 99%–99.5%), moisture parameters, and commercial applications.
Master Multilingual Indian Spices Cross-Reference Matrix
Whether you are searching for regional translations such as isabgol in malayalam, ajwain in english, or dry ginger in gujarati, the verified matrix below maps trade nomenclature across India's leading agricultural states:
| English Name | Botanical Name | Hindi | Malayalam | Tamil | Gujarati | Telugu |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psyllium Husk / Isabgol | Plantago ovata | इसबगोल (Isabgol) | ഇസബ്ഗോൾ (Isabgol) | இசப்கோல் (Isabgol) | ઈસબગુલ (Isabgul) | ఇసబ్గోల్ (Isabgol) |
| Carom Seeds / Ajwain | Trachyspermum ammi | अजवाइन (Ajwain) | അയമോദകം (Ayamodakam) | ஓமம் (Omam) | અજમો (Ajmo) | వాము (Vamu) |
| Dry Ginger / Sonth | Zingiber officinale | सोंठ (Sonth) | ചുക്ക് (Chukku) | சுக்கு (Sukku) | સૂંઠ (Sunth) | సొంటి (Sonti) |
| Cumin Seeds | Cuminum cyminum | जीरा (Jeera) | ജീരകം (Jeerakam) | சீரகம் (Seeragam) | જીરું (Jeeru) | జీలకర్ర (Jilakarra) |
| Fennel Seeds | Foeniculum vulgare | सौंफ (Saunf) | പെരുംജീരകം (Perumjeerakam) | சோம்பு (Sombu) | વરિયાળી (Variyali) | సోంపు (Sompu) |
| Coriander Seeds | Coriandrum sativum | धनिया (Dhaniya) | മല്ലി / കൊത്തമല്ലി (Malli) | கொத்தமல்லி (Kothamalli) | ધાણા (Dhana) | ధనియాలు (Dhaniyalu) |
| Fenugreek Seeds | Trigonella foenum-graecum | मेथी (Methi) | ഉലുവ (Uluva) | வெந்தயம் (Vendhayam) | મેથી (Methi) | మెంతులు (Menthulu) |
| Turmeric Finger | Curcuma longa | हल्दी (Haldi) | മഞ്ഞൾ (Manjal) | மஞ்சள் (Manjal) | હળદર (Haldar) | పసుపు (Pasupu) |
| Sesame Seeds (Til) | Sesamum indicum | तिल (Til) | എള്ള് (Ellu) | எள் (Ellu) | તલ (Tal) | నువ్వులు (Nuvvulu) |
| Green Cardamom | Elettaria cardamomum | इलायची (Elaichi) | ഏലക്ക (Elakka) | ஏலக்காய் (Elakkai) | એલચી (Elchi) | ఏలకులు (Yelakulu) |
| Black Pepper | Piper nigrum | काली मिर्च (Kali Mirch) | കുരുമുളക് (Kurumulaku) | மிளகு (Milagu) | મરી (Mari) | మిరియాలు (Miriyalu) |
| Nigella Seeds / Kalonji | Nigella sativa | कलौंजी (Kalonji) | കരിഞ്ചീരകം (Karinjeerakam) | கருஞ்சீரகம் (Karunjeeragam) | કલોંજી (Kalonji) | నల్ల జీలకర్ర (Nalla Jeelakarra) |
In-Depth Regional Profile: High-Demand Agro Commodities
1. Isabgol / Psyllium Husk (ഇസബ്ഗോൾ / இசப்கோல்)
Known as Isabgol in Malayalam (ഇസബ്ഗോൾ), Isabgol in Tamil (இசப்கோல்), and Isabgul in Gujarati (ઈસબગુલ), Gujarat produces over 80% of the world's commercial psyllium crop, concentrated around Sidhpur, Unjha, and Mehsana.
- Export Grades: 99% Purity (A-Grade Pharmaceutical), 98% Industrial Super Purity, and 85% Animal Feed / Commercial grade.
- Swell Volume: Premium Sortex-cleaned husk reaches >45 ml/g swell volume in laboratory titration.
- Major Uses: Natural soluble prebiotic fiber, IBS and chronic constipation management, and gluten-free industrial baking binder.
2. Ajwain / Carom Seeds (Ayamodakam / Omam / Vamu)
Buyers frequently search for what is ajwain called in English—it is universally categorized as Carom Seeds or Bishop's Weed. In South Indian culinary traditions, it is renowned as Omam in Tamil (ஓமம்), Ayamodakam in Malayalam (അയമോദകം), and Vamu in Telugu (వాము).
- Active Constituent: High natural thymol content (35%–55% of essential volatile oil), providing potent antimicrobial and antispasmodic qualities.
- Export Grading: Sortex 99.5% Machine Cleaned, Bold Gujarat Green Grade, and Steam-Sterilized Whole Seeds.
3. Dry Ginger / Sonth (Chukku / Sukku / Sonti)
Referred to as Sunth in Gujarati (સૂંઠ), Sukku in Tamil (சுக்கு), and Chukku in Malayalam (ചുക്ക്), dried ginger is a staple in Ayurvedic decoctions (such as Sukku Malli Coffee) and international spice blending.
- Grades: Cochin Bleached/Unbleached, Calicut Bold Whole Roots, and Gujarat Sortex Ground Powder (>1.5% volatile oil).
- Moisture Parameter: Maintained under 10.0% moisture to prevent aflatoxin and microbial deterioration during ocean shipping.
Export Quality Standards & Phytosanitary Specifications
| Commodity | Export Grade | Purity Level | Max Moisture | Primary Origins |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psyllium Husk | 99% Super Cleaned | 99.0% - 99.5% | 10.0% | Gujarat (Unjha / Sidhpur) |
| Carom Seeds (Ajwain) | Sortex Cleaned Bold | 99.5% | 9.0% | Gujarat & Rajasthan |
| Dry Ginger (Sonth) | Whole Bleached / Unbleached | 98.5% | 10.5% | Kerala & Gujarat |
| Cumin Seeds (Jeera) | Europe / Singapore Quality | 99.0% - 99.5% | 8.5% | Gujarat (Gondal / Rajkot) |
Sourcing Premium Indian Spices for Global Export?
Spice Nest supplies Sortex-cleaned whole spices, ground powders, and private-label packaging to container importers, commercial millers, and retail distributors across 28+ countries. Product Samples Available on Request — Contact Commercial Export Desk.
Request Export Quote & Specification SheetFrequently Asked Questions (Multilingual Spices & Sourcing)
What is isabgol called in Malayalam and Tamil?
In Malayalam, Isabgol is written as ഇസബ്ഗോൾ (Isabgol) or referred to as Psyllium Husk. In Tamil, it is called இசப்கோல் (Isabgol) or Ispaghula. Both refer to the mucilage-rich seed husk of Plantago ovata cultivated predominantly in Gujarat.
What is ajwain called in English?
Ajwain is universally known as Carom Seeds or Bishop's Weed in English (botanical name: Trachyspermum ammi). In Tamil it is known as Omam (ஓமம்), in Malayalam as Ayamodakam (അയമോദകം), and in Telugu as Vamu (వాము).
What is dry ginger called in Gujarati, Tamil, and Malayalam?
In Gujarati, dry ginger is called સૂંઠ (Sunth). In Tamil, it is known as சுக்கு (Sukku), in Malayalam as ചുക്ക് (Chukku), and in Hindi as सोंठ (Sonth). In Telugu, it is called సొంటి (Sonti).
What are the standard container packaging options for wholesale export?
Spice Nest packages container exports in multi-wall Kraft paper bags (25 kg), food-grade poly-woven HDPE bags (25 kg / 50 kg), and 500 kg jumbo tote bags with desiccants and moisture barriers for ocean transit. Private-label standup pouches (100g to 1kg) with custom barcode branding are also supported.
Are commercial samples available for laboratory analysis before ordering full containers?
Yes. Product Samples Available on Request — Contact Commercial Export Desk. Samples are dispatched via DHL/FedEx with Certificate of Analysis (COA) specifying moisture, volatile oil, and purity percentages.
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