Most of us are confused when it comes to referring to pulses, cereals or spices in English. Mostly because we are used to refer to these products in our regional names or Hindi. Here’s a detailed glossary that will help you search for relevant English names for most of the food products that add to the distinct taste of the Indian cuisine. For ease of reference, the food products have been divided into four categories – Pulses, Cereals, Spices and Seeds and General.
Pulses –
| Indian / Hindi name | English name | Image |
|---|---|---|
| Arhar / Rahar / Tur / Tuar | Pigeon pea / Red gram |  |
| Chana | Chickpeas (Brown) |  |
| Cholia / Hara chana | Chickpeas (Green) |  |
| Chana Daal | Split Bengal gram |  |
| Chawli / Lobhia | Black-eyed beans / Cowpea |  |
| Daal | Pulses / Split beans / Beans | – |
| Dalia | Broken wheat |  |
| Kabuli Chana / Chhole | Garbanzo beans / Chickpeas (White) |  |
| Kulthi | Horse gram |  |
| Kurmura | Puffed rice |  |
| Masoor | Red lentils |  |
| Matar | Pea |  |
| Moong | Green gram / Mung bean |  |
| Motth / Matki | Turkish gram / Moth bean |  |
| Poha | Beaten rice |  |
| Rajma | Kidney beans |  |
| Til | Sesame |  |
| Urad Daal / Kaali Daal | Black gram / Black lentil (whole) / White lentil (dehusked) |  |
| Vaal | Field beans |  |
Cereals –
| Indian / Hindi name | English name | Image |
|---|---|---|
| Bajra | Pearl millet |  |
| Chaawal | Rice |  |
| Gehun | Wheat |  |
| Jow | Barley |  |
| Jowar | Sorghum bicolor |  |
| Makki / Makai | Maize, Corn |  |
| Raagi / Nachani | Finger millet |  |
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Spices –
| Indian / Hindi name | English name | Image |
|---|---|---|
| Adrak / Sonth | Ginger |  |
| Ajwaain | Carom Seeds / Thyme |  |
| Chakra Phool / Chakri Phool | Star Anise |  |
| Daalchini | Cinnamon |  |
| Elaichi (Chhoti) | Green Cardamom |  |
| Elaichi (Moti) | Brown Cardamom |  |
| Hing | Asafoetida |  |
| Jaiphal | Nutmeg |  |
| Javitri | Mace |  |
| Jeera | Cumin |  |
| Kaali Mirch / Kaali Meeri | Black Pepper |  |
| Lasan / Lahsun | Garlic |  |
| Laung | Clove |  |
| Raai | Mustard seeds (small) |  |
| Sarson | Mustard seeds (big) |  |
| Tej patta / Tamaalpatra | Bay leaf |  |
Seeds and General –
| Indian / Hindi name | English name | Image |
|---|---|---|
| Chhoti Saunf | Anise / Aniseed |  |
| Maida | Refined flour |  |
| Rava / Sooji | Semolina |  |
| Sabudana / Saaboodana | Sago |  |
| Saunf | Fennel Seed |  |
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