Chapter 25
Spicy Riddles
Class IV
Environmental Studies
1. I can be powdered fine
To make food hot and spicy,
If too much of me is added
I make you gasp – shheee.. Shheee..
Your eyes and nose begin to water
And you cry!
Think and tell me who am I?
Tell me quickly, who am I?
Red Chilli (Lal Mirch)
• It is a main ingredient used for adding hot
flavour to the food.
• The antioxidants present in chilli help to cope
with cholesterol. It also helps burning calories.
2. Grind me and powder me –
To make your food look yellow,
I am mixed in oil by granny
And applied to wounds quickly,
I heal all wounds – big and small,
That is why I am loved by all!
Think and tell me who am I?
Tell me quickly, who am I?
Turmeric (Haldi)
• It is used in cooking and skin care products. It
has wide range medicinal uses.
• It helps deal with skin problems. Turmeric
powder can be used for healing cuts and
wounds. It also makes coping with diabetes
easier.
3. Small and round like a pearl,
I am black when I am whole.
I can be powdered coarse or fine
A sharp and spicy taste is mine,
Whether it is salty or sweet
I am added as a special treat,
Think and tell me who am I?
Tell me quickly, who am I?
Pepper (Kaali Mirch)
• It is extensively used in cooking, especially for
garnishing. It is has many medicinal uses too.
• It helps coping with cold, cough, infections
etc. It helps to deal with muscle pains and
digestive problems
4. I am small and shiny chap
Sometimes I am brown and
sometime black,
Added to hot oil and ghee
I spread my fragrance all around me,
When I am roasted.
Curd and jaljeera are favourite to me.
Think and tell me who am I?
Tell me quickly, who am I?
Cumin Seed (Zeera)
• It is used for cooking and it also possesses
medicinal properties
• It is a good source or iron and keeps immune
system healthy. Water boiled with cumin
seeds is good for coping with dysentery.
5. I look like Zeera though green am I,
To make your stomach
healthy I always try,
Eat me always after your meal
I refresh your mouth, you
surely feel,
Think and tell me who am I?
Tell me quickly, who am I?
Fennel (Saunf)
• Fennel seeds are mostly eaten after meals, as
their aroma works as breath fresheners.
• Fennel is a good home remedy for many
stomach and gastrointestinal problems. They
also relieve chronic coughs
6. I look like a nail but a bud am I,
Chocolate brown colour and a
Strong smell have I.
When your toothache
Makes you shout,
I soothe the pain in your mouth.
Think and tell me who am I?
Tell me quickly, who am I?
Clove (Laung)
• It is used as a cooking ingredient mainly for
seasoning or preparing Masalas.
• Clove oil is beneficial for coping with tooth
ache and sore gums. It is also beneficial
remedy for chest pains, fever, digestive
problems, cough and cold.
Other Commonly Used Spices
in the Kitchen
Asafoetida (Hing)
• It is used for seasoning food especially snacks
and has medicinal uses.
• A good remedy for whooping cough and
stomach ache caused due to gas.
Bay leaf (Tez Patta)
• It is used in cooking to add a specific flavour
to food. It also has some medicinal properties.
• Bay leaf oil possesses antifungal and anti
bacterial
Cardamom (Elaichi)
• It is used in most of the Indian and other
sweet dishes to give a good flavour and smell.
It is also used widely in pharmaceutical sector.
• Helps to control bad breath and digestive
disorder. A whole cardamom chewed is good
for coping with diabetes.
Cinnamon (Dalchini)
• It is used for mainly for seasoning food and
preparing masalas It has medicinal uses too.
• It supports natural production of insulin and
reduces blood cholesterol
Coriander (Dhaniya)
• Coriander leaves as well as coriander seeds
are used in cooking. It also has some
medicinal uses.
• It can be used externally on aching joints and
rheumatism. It is also good for coping with
soar throat, allergies, digestion problems,
hay fever etc.
Curry leaves (Curry Patha)
• It is used as a main ingredient for seasoning in
some countries. It has many medicinal uses.
• These leaves are beneficial for reducing blood
sugar. Each part of the plant provides some
benefit or the other. The dried leaves are
extensively used in herbal medicines.
Garlic (Lassan)
• It is used for cooking as well as for the
medicinal purpose.
• It is useful for coping with cough and cold. It
also has antibiotic properties.
Ginger (Adrak)
• It is used for giving a specific flavour to
food and has many medicinal uses.
• Helps to avoid digestive problems. It is
beneficial for coping with cough and
cold.
Mustard (Rye)
• It is used for seasoning as well as green leafy
vegetable. The use of mustard oil is extensive
in India but it is banned in some countries.
• Mustard oil is good for body massage and
even for getting good hair. It consists of
omega-3 fatty acids. It is an excellent source of
iron, zinc, manganese, calcium, protein etc.
Nutmeg (Jaiphal)
• It is used in powdered form for garnishing
and also for masala preparation. It is used
in soaps, perfumes and shampoos. It can
also be used for medicinal purpose.
• It is beneficial for the treatments of
asthma, heart disorder and bad breath
Saffron (Zaffran/Kesar)
• It is used for cooking as well as in beauty
products. It is mainly used in sweet dishes. It
has good medicinal properties.
• It helps to cope with skin diseases. It is a
good remedy for cough, cold and asthma.
Star Anise (Chakra Phool)
• It is used in cooking and for medicinal purpose
• Star anise oil is helpful for digestion and
avoiding bad breath
The Indian state known as the
Spice Garden is Kerala.
Kerala is a small state full of hills
and hillocks with stunning green
sceneries. There are many spices
growing naturally in abundance in
the state.
References
The Uses and benefits of Spices
http://www.indiaparenting.com/food-and-nutrition/53_2737/the-uses-andbenefits-of-spices.html
Environmental Studies Text book, Class IV
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