Know what you're buying
Buying guides
Plain answers to the questions we get asked most about spices, oils and purity.
How to Check if Your Haldi Is Pure: 4 Home Tests
Simple kitchen tests to spot added colour, starch and chalk in turmeric powder, what pure haldi should look and smell like, and what to buy instead.
Kachi Ghani vs Refined Mustard Oil: What's the Difference?
How kachi ghani mustard oil is made, how it differs from refined and blended oil, how to tell them apart by smell and colour, and how to cook with it.
Cold-Pressed vs Refined Cooking Oil: A Practical Guide
How cold-pressed and refined oils are made, which cold-pressed oil suits which Indian dish, and how to store them so they stay fresh.
Mathania Chilli: Rajasthan's Famous Red Mirch
What makes Mathania chilli special, how hot it is compared to Kashmiri and Guntur chillies, and how to cook with it, from laal maas to garlic chutney.