Spices and Herbs (Masala)

English Name

Hindi Name

Alkanet Root               Ratan Jot

Alum         Fitkari, Phitkari

Anise Seed                     Choti Saunf, Suwa, Shopa

Arrowroot                    Paniphal, Tikora

Asafoetida                      Hing

Basil Holy                        Tulsi

Bay Leaf Indian       Tej Patta

Black Cumin              Shahi Jeera, Himali Jeera, Kala Jeera

Black Mustard Seeds                   Rai

Black Mustard seeds Cracked                     Rai Kuria

Black Peppercorn   Kali Mirch

Black Rock salt          Sanchal, Kala Namak

Cardamom Black  Bari Elaichi

Cardamom Green                        Choti Elaichi

Carom Seed                Ajwain

Cassia        Jangli Dalchini

Cayenne Pepper      Lal Mirch

Celery seeds                  Ajmud

Cilantro    Hara Dhania Patta

Citric Acid                      Nimboo Phool, Saji na Phool

Cinnamon                    Dalchini

Cloves        Laung, Lavang

Coriander seeds        Dhania

Cumin seeds                Jeera

Curry Leaf                   Meetha Neem Patta, Kari Patta

Dill                Soa

Fennel       Moti Saunf, Saunf

Fenugreek Leaves dried            Kasoori Methi

Fenugreek seeds       Methi Daane

Garcinia indica           Kokum

Garlic Fresh                 Lassun

Ginger Fresh rhizome                 Adrak

Ginger Dried rhizome                 Saunth

Gold leaf edible           Sona Varak

Gum Katira Sap     Gond Katira

Green Chili                   Hari Mirch, I use Serrano

Honey       Shahad

Illaichi         Chhoti elaichi

Licorice     Mulathi, Jethi-madh

Lime Pickling              Paan-Choona

Long Pepper               Pippali

Lotus seed pops         Makhna

Jaggery    Gur, Raw sugar cake Sources: Sugar cane, Palm

Mace          Javitri

Mango powder        Amchoor, Amchur …. Dried Tart Green Mango Powder

Mustard Seeds           Sarson, Rai

Mustard Seeds cracked              Rai Kuria

Mustard Oil                  Sarson Tel

Nigella        Kalonji

Nutmeg   Jaifal

Onion        Piyaz

Paprika (Kashmiri Paprika)  Degi Mirch

Peppermint fresh     Podina

Pomegranate seeds                         Anar-daana

Poppy Seeds                Khuskhus

Red Chili                         Lal Mirch

Rose            Gulab

Rose water                    Gulab jal

Sage            Kamarkas

Saffron     Kesar, Zaafraan

Salt               Namak

Salt Sea     Saindha Namak

Salt Sanchal Black   Kala Namak

Scallion      Hara Piyaz

Screwpine essence   Kewra

Sesame     Til

Shallot        Gandana

Silver edible leaf          Chandi Varak

Star Anis Chakraphool

Sugar         Chini

Sumac      Sumaq

Tamarind                      Imli

Turmeric                        Haldi

Turmeric - Fresh rhizome        Kachi Haldi

Thyme     Ajwain ke phool for substitution purposes only

Vinegar    Sirka

White Pepper             Safed Mirch

Yeast Live sour dough                 Khameer

Yeast          Samunder Jhag, Cuttle Stone soft rock, Toddy

Essence (generic)

Khusboo, Attar, Ruh, Ittar

Rose Essence               Gulab-Jal

Screwpine Essence Kewra

Vetiver Essence          Khas

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Dried Fruits and Nuts  (Mewa)

English Name

Hindi Name

Dried Fruits

Apricot dried               Khumani

Dates          Khajoor

Dates Dry skin            Chhohara

Fig                Anjeer

Gooseberry Indian (Emblica)                        Amla

Prunes      Manukka

Raisins       Kishmish

Raisins seedless yellow                   Sultana

Nuts and Seeds

Almonds                         Badaam

Cantaloupe seed       Kharbooza ke beej

Cashews Kajoo

Coconut  Naarial Khopra

Flaxseeds                         Alsi

Gorgon Nut Puffed Kernel    Makhana

Peanuts    Mungphali

Pine Nuts                        Chilgoza

Pistachio Nuts              Pista

Pistachio Soft                Chironghi

Pumpkin seeds          Kaddu Beej

Safflower                        Kusam Kusumbo

Sesame Seed                Til

Sunflower                      Sooraj-mukhi

Watermelon seed     Tarbooj ke beej

Walnuts   Akhroat/ Akhrot

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Fruits (Phal)

Apple         Seb

Apricot     Zard-aloo

Avocado Makhanphal

Banana    Kela

Cantaloupe                   Kharbooja

Cranberry                    Karonda.  In realty, Karonda is  ‘Natal Plum’

Fig                Anjir

Gooseberry Cape   Rasbhari

Grapes     Angoor

Grapefruit                     Chakutra

Guavas    Amrood

Jackfruit  Kathal

Java Plum                     Jamoon

Lime           Nimboo, Lemon does not exist but same as Nimboo

Loquat     Lokat

Lychee      Leechee

Mango     Aam

Mulberry                       Shehtoot

Natal Plum                    Karonda

Olives          Zetoon

Orange     Santra

Orange - Navel           Mosambi

Papaya     Papeeta

Peach         Aadoo

Pear            Nashpati

Pineapple                        Anna-naas

Plum          Aloo-bukhaara

Pomegranate              Anar

Sapodilla Plum, Sapota               Chickoo

Star fruit  Kamrakh

Sugar cane                    Ganna

Sweet Lime                   Musambi

Watermelon                Tarbooj

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Grains Lentils Flours

Barley        Jaun

Buckwheat                   Kuttu

Cracked Wheat       Dalia

Cream of Wheat     Sooji

Farina       Sooji

Flour          Atta

Flour - Bread               Atta. Durum wheat whole-meal whole-grain flour

Flour - Chickpea      Besan

Flour - Pastry, All purpose        Maida. Super refined soft wheat flour

Maize         Makki

Millet - Barnyard      Jhungori

Millet - Finger               Ragi

Millet - Foxtail               Kheri

Millet - Great, Sorghum              Jowar

Millet - Little                   Kodo

Millet - Pearl, Spiked                       Bajara

Oats             Vilaiti Jaun

Rice             Chawal

Rice flattened flakes                        Chewara, Poha

Rice puffed                   Murmura

Semolina Sooji, Rava

Sorghum                        Jowar

Tapioca (Cassava)   Saboo-daana

Vermicelli                        Seviyan

Wheat       Gehoon

Wheat flour                  Gehoon Atta

Legume Beans

Alubia       Safed Rajma

Black Matpe (Black beans)      Urad

Chickpea                        Chana, Desi Chana, Kabuli Chana

Fava           Vaal, Sem

Field pea split                Matar Dal

Garbanzo Beans     Kabuli Chana

Mung Beans               Moong

Red Kidney Bean   Rajma

Lentil          Masoor

Pigeon peas                   Arhar, Toor

Soya bean                      Bhatma

Whole beans                Sabut

Split beans                      Dal

Split skinless black chickpeas    Chana Dal

Decorticated Skinless beans      Dhuli

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Meats Fowls Fish Oragns

Meats

Beef             Gai ka Gosht

Cow           Gai

Goat           Bakra ka Gosht

Meat generic                Gosht

Pork           Sooer  ka Gosht

Rabbit       Khargosh

Venison    Hiran ka Gosht

Fowl

Chicken   Murghi

Squab       Chooza

Duck          Battakh

Egg              Anda

Goose        Bada-Battakh

Guinea fowl                 Bada-Teetar

Partridge                         Teeter

Pigeon       Kabutar

Quail grey                       Battar

Parts Organs

Bone           Haddi

Brains        Bheja, Magaz

Feet (Trotters)              Paya

Head          Sir, Matha

Heart          Dil

Intestines  Vajri

Kidney     Gurda

Leg              Raan

Liver           Kaleja

Lung          Phaypara

Marrow  Guda

Minced ?ground Meat               Keema

Stomach  Ojhari, But

Stomach Skin             Bhuri

Spleen        Tilli

Testicles     Kapura

Tongue    Zabaan, Jeeb

Udder       Khiri

Fish Seafood

Bombay Duck          Bombil,Bumallo.

Butter Fish Indian   Pabda, Puptai

Carp varieties              Rohu, Rui

Cat Fish   Sa-ngtam

Clams        Tisario

Cod Rock                      Gobro

Crabs        Keka-daa, Kurlya

Fish generic                   Machli

Herring    Bhing

King Fish                        Surmai, Visonu

Lady Fish                       Kane, Nogli

Mackerel                        Bangda

Mullet        Boi, Parshey, Andawari, Shevto

Mussels     Teesari

Oyster        Kalva

Pearl Spot                       Karimeen

Perch Climbing         Koi Machli

Pomfret   Pa-mple-t

Pomfret,silver              Chandava

Prawn      Jhinga, Chingri, Chemen, Sungat

Red Snapper              Rane

Roe              Machli Anda

Salmon Indian           Raavas

Sardines   Pedvey

Sawfish    Kandere

Shark        Moree, Zori

Shad Indian                 Llish Hilsa

Silver belley                    Surgutta

Snake head                   Murrai

Sole              Repti, Morrul

Sorrel Red                     Chukka Sag

Squid         Ma-nkyo, Samudra-pheni (or feni)

Tuna          Chura

Turbot - Indian          Kuppa machli

Turtle         Kachhua

White bait                       Katai

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Vegetables (Subzi)

Aloe Vera                       Gawar Patha

Beans-Cluster fresh                        Guar ki phali

Beans-French fresh                       Pharas Beans

Aubergine, Brinjal, Eggplant Baingan. Native of India over 20 varieties

Beet root  Chukandar

Bell Pepper, Capsicum                Simla Mirch

Celery        Ajmud

Cabbage                         Bandh-Gobi, Patta-Gobi

Carrot       Gaajar

Cauliflower                   Phool-Gobi, Gobi

Cilantro    Hara Dhania

Colocasia, Taro, Eddo                 Arbi, Arvi

Corn Kernel                Makki

Corn on the cob        Bhutta

Cowpea  Lobhia

Cucumber                    Kheera

Cucumber English Skinny     Kakri

Gourd - Ash                Petha

Gourd - Bitter             Karela

Gourd - Bottle             Ghiya. Lauki

Gourd - Ridged        Torai

Gourd - Snake           Chichinda

Jackfruit  Kathal

Kohl Rabi                      Ganth Gobhi

Lotus stem                     Bhein, Kamal Kakri

Mushrooms                 Khumbi

Mustard Greens      Sarson Patta

Natal Plum                    Karonda

Okra          Bhindi

Onion        Piyaaz

Peas Green                   Mattar

Peppermint Leaves Fresh        Hara Podina

Potato        Aloo

Pumpkin (British, Australian)                        Kaddu. American butternut or winter squash

Radish      Mooli

Red Sorrel                     Chukka Leaves

Scallion      Hari Piyaz

Spinach    Paalak

Sweet Potato                Shakar-kandi

Tomato    Tamatar

Turnip      Shalgam

Water Chestnuts Indian            Singhaara

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Taste Expressions

Aroma     Khush-boo, Sugandh

Bad             Kharaab

Burnt         Jalaa

Bland         Feeka

Cold            Thunda

Fresh          Taaza

Good         Bhariya … “Achha is just okay”

Gravy       Tari, Rasa, Salan, Shorba

Hot               Garam

Mash         Bharta

Raw           Kuchaa

Reeks         Bad-boo

Ripe            Pukka

Rotten       Galaa

Salty            Namkeen

Savory      Chat-pata

Sharp        Teekha

Sour            Khatta

Stale             Baasi

Sweet         Meetha

Tasty          Swaad

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Kitchenware

Hindi Name

English/Explanation

Angithi      Portable Cooking stove converted Galvanized Bucket, Uses charcoal

Atta Chhalni                Flour sifter

Bartan      Cookware, Cooking utensils, Tableware

Bawarchi-Khana   Kitchen

Belan          Rolling pin

Bhatti         Large cooking stove made of bricks and clay. To prepare foods in bulk

Bhigona   Cooking pot with a lid

Bonti           Curved blade mounted on wooden platform.

Chakla     Stone rolling board

Chakki     Hand operated stone mill to grind grains to make flour

Chakku  Knife

Chalini      Sieve

Chamcha                      Large Spoon (Approximately Tablespoon)

Chamchi                        Small Spoon (Approximately half teaspoon)

Chhuri     Double edge double curve blade knife

Chimta     Tongs

Chulha     U-shaped traditional stove

Degchi       Brass or Copper cooking pot, narrow neck, round bottom

Donga       Large mixing or serving bowl

Gandasa                         Cleaver

Ghara       Large earthen pot to store food or water

Handi        Earthen cooking pot, narrow neck, round bottom, wide-mouth

Hamam Dasta           Mortar & Pestle.

Imrit Baan                     Pickling Crock made of Porcelain

Kaddu Kas                  Grater

Kalchhi    Spoon Ladle

Kanta        Fork

Karahi      Traditional Indian Wok.

Katori        Small curry bowl

Palta            Turner

Pirich          Saucer (Plate under cup)

Piyali           Small tea cup

Piyalu         Large tea cup

Rasoi-Ghar                  Kitchen

Sancha     Mould

Seekh         Skewer

Sil Batta    Flat black stone and a Triangular Stone to crush spices with

Surahi       Long neck earthen pot used to store water

Tandoor Drum shaped clay oven

Tarazoo   Weigh Scale

Tashtari   Plate, a small version of Thali

Tawa         Iron griddle to make bread

Thal            A large round platter used to display bulk foods, a large version of Thali

Thali           Round platter to serve complete meal or conduct Puja

Tokani      Brass Water pitcher, form factor same as Degchi but much larger

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Common Dairy Products

Chach, Mattha          Churned homemade Yogurt with butter removed

Chenna   Cheese similar to small curd cheese

Dahi            Homemade Yogurt

Doodh      Milk

Ghee          Rendered butter

Khoya      Reduced whole milk

Kheer        Rice Pudding

Lassi            Churned homemade Yogurt

Makhan Butter

Malai          Cream

Paneer      Cheese similar to farmer’s pot cheese

Raita           Cold Yogurt Soup

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Common Breads

Baati           Bread looking like bun cooked over ambers in Rajasthan

Bhature   Deep fried Maida flat bread

Chapati    Basic whole wheat un-leavened flat bread, aka Roti

Kulcha     Baked Maida flat bread

Naan          Leavened flat bread baked in clay oven.

Paratha    Griddle Fried flat bread

Phulka      Light weight version of Basic whole wheat bread (Roti)

Poori           Deep fried flat puffed bread

Poori Loach                 Deep fried Maida flat puffed bread

Roomali   Very Very thin bread

Roti              Basic whole wheat un-leavened flat bread, aka Chapati

Roti Missy                      Multi grain basic flat bread

Roti Makki                   Corn (Maze) basic flat bread

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General Terms

Beverages

Chai            Hot tea

Daroo        Country Liquor

Kanji          Fermented Carrot beverage

Paani          Water

Sharab     Alcohol

Shikanjami                   Limeade

Thandaii Sweet Beverage made with combination of seeds and nuts

Toddy       Natural sap wine collected from Palm trees.

Desserts

Burfee       Diamond shaped cake from reduced milk or Garbanzo flour.

Chikki       Form of brittle, commonly made with peanuts or cashews

Firni            Rice flour pudding

Gajak        Form of Fudge, commonly made with sesame seeds

Halva-Carrot              Carrot cake

Halva-Sooji                    Cream of wheat cake

Kheer        Rice Pudding

Rasgulla   Cheese balls in syrup

Miscellaneous

Achaar     Pickle

Bhagar, Tarka          Tempering Dal

Bharta      Mashed food

Bharwa   Stuffed

Bhajji         Batter laced minced food Pattie

Bhujia       Damp Dry Curry

Bhurji        Damp Dry Curry

Bhuna      Pan fried or Pan roasted

Dal               Legume soup

Dhansak                         Parsi curry with legumes

Do Piyaz  Damp curry containing half or more onions

Dosa           South Indian Rice/Bean crepe

Idli                 South Indian Rice/Bean dumpling

Guda         Pulp

Kebab      Whole food roasted

Kofta         Meatball shaped minced food dish

Korma (Qorma)      Mild aromatic curry made with yogurt and nuts

Khameer                       Yeast

Khasta      Flaky or crumbly

Kheer        Rice Pudding

Khichree                         Rice and Beans cooked together

Makhni   Buttery Curry

Non-vegetarian          Maasahari

Pakora     Deep fried fritter

Papadom                       Papad Thin wafer cracker

Pasanda  Mild aromatic vegetable or meat curry made with yogurt

Phitkari    Alum

Pickle          Achar

Pilaf, Pulao                     Pulao  Rice cooked with Vegetables Meat spices

Rind or Peel                  Chilka

Rogan Josh                  Bright red color meat curry from Kashmir

Samosa    Conical shaped deep fried stuffed pastry

Sugar Syrup                Chaasni

Tari             Broth like curry

Tikka         Whole- muscle or chunk food roasted or baked

Tikki           Minced food Patty

Vegetarian                     Shakahari

Vindaloo A spicy hot Portuguese style (Goa) curry

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Colors

Black          Kaala

Blue             Neela

Brown      Saanvla, Khaki

Crimson  Lohit (Bloody), Gehra Lal Rung

Deeper shade              Gehra Rung

Green        Hara

Grey           Bhoora Rung

Indigo        Gehra Neela Rung

Lighter shade              Halka Rung

Maroon   Anaabi Rung

Orange     Naarangi

Pink            Gulabi

Purple       Jamni

Red             Lal

Saffron     Kesari

Violet          Baingani Rung

Yellow       Peela

White         Safed