Mission Golden Spice is a five-year government initiative launched to build a stronger value chain around Meghalaya's GI-tagged Lakadong turmeric and position it as a premium export product. Backed by a project outlay of about ₹175.45 crore, the mission aims to expand cultivation, improve processing and branding, raise farmer incomes, and create a more export-ready turmeric ecosystem in the state. At its core, Mission Golden Spice is the integrated Lakadong Turmeric Value Cha

The 9th International Spice Conference (ISC 2026), held in Kochi, Kerala, concluded in February 2026 as a major success, bringing together over 1,200 delegates from more than 60 countries. Organized by the All India Spices Exporters Forum (AISEF), the conference served as a critical global platform for policymakers, exporters, and innovators to address the future of the spice trade. CORE CONFERENCE DETAILS THEME: 'Spice 360 - Getting Future Ready', where ancient routes met th

The SPICED scheme - short for 'Sustainability in Spice Sector through Progressive, Innovative and Collaborative Interventions for Export Development' - is a Spices Board initiative by India's Ministry of Commerce and Industry. With a total outlay of Rs.422 crore, it aims to boost spice exports, increase cardamom productivity, enhance post-harvest quality, and support value addition through 2025-26. The SPICED scheme provides financial assistance for various activities: MISSIO

Consuming heavy metals in spices, like lead, cadmium, and arsenic, can severely harm human health, leading to neurological damage (mental retardation, cognitive issues), kidney/ liver failure, cardiovascular problems, immune system suppression, birth defects, and even caner, because these metals accumulate in organs and disrupt normal body functions, with risks increasing with adulterated spice consumption and chronic exposure. SPECIFIC HEALTH IMPACTS BY METAL: LEAD (Pb): Dam

Spices are widely used in the perfume, and cosmetic industries for their rich, diverse aromas, as well as their functional properties, such as warmth, depth, and antimicrobial benefits. Their use dates back to ancient civilizations for cultural, medicinal, and religious purposes. USE IN PERFUME INDUSTRY: Spices are fundamental to perfumery, adding warmth, complexity, and character to fragrances. They can be classified into 'warm' spices (like cinnamon and clove) which provide

Pest Management in spice cultivation relies on Integrated Pest Management (IPM), which combines multiple strategies like cultural practices, biological control, mechanical methods, and judicious use of biorational pesticides to control pests like aphids, thrips, and borers. Key tactics include using resistant varieties, sanitation, encouraging natural predators, and employing botanical pesticides such as neem oil as a primary approach. CULTURAL PRACTICES RESISTANT VARITIES: G

Spice dyeing is a fascinating ancient technique that uses natural dyes from kitchen spices like turmeric, saffron, cinnamon, and paprika to color fabrics. This eco-friendly method not only imparts vibrant colors but also incorporates the medicinal properties and aromas of the spices. Benefits of Spice Dyeing NATURAL AND SUSTAINABLE: Spice dyeing uses natural ingredients, reducing the environmental impact compared to synthetic dyes. THERAPEUTIC PROPERTIES: The dyed fabrics ca

Spices are the backbone of Indian cuisine, playing a vital role in the country's rich culinary heritage. Spices like Cinnamon, Star Anise, Stone flower, provide a wide range of flavors and aromas. They can create sweet, savory, spicy, or pungent tastes, enhancing the overall dining experience. Spices can also influence the visual appeal of dishes with ingredients like Turmeric. Spices like Cloves have historically been used to help preserve food, preventing microbial deterio

Lakadong turmeric, grown in the Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya, is highly regarded for its exceptional quality and numerous health benefits. Lakadong turmeric boasts a significantly higher curcumin content of 7-12%, while regular turmeric varieties contain only 2-5%. This high curcumin level makes Lakadong turmeric more potent and effective for various health purposes. Curcumin is known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties, which may help with various conditions,

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of immunity. Spices play a supportive role in building immunity against COVID-19 and have been traditionally used for theor potential health benefits. Certain spices, such as turmeric, black pepper, cinnamon contribute to boost immunity and alleviate symptoms. 1. TURMERIC has curcumin that has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immune boosting properties. 2. BLACK PEPPER contains piperine that enhances bioavailability of other

Adulteration in spices refers to the addition of cheaper, inferior, or even harmful substances to spices to increase profits and deceive customers. Common adulterants include artificial colors, fillers like starch, sawdust, and even toxic substances like lead chromate. This practice can pose serious health risks, including gastrointestinal problems, Cancer, and other health issues. Artificial colors like Lead Chromate and Mentanil Yellow, used to enhance the color of spices,

Curcumin is a bright yellow naturally occurring compound produced by the spice Turmeric (Curcuma Longa). It is the main compound of turmeric; a polyphenol; responsible for turmeric's bright yellow color and has potent healthy properties. Curcumin is important due to its numerous benefits including: REDUCING INFLAMMATION - Curcumin has potent anti-inflammatory properties which can help alleviate symptoms of arthritis, gout, and other inflammatory diseases. ANTIOXIDANT PROPERTI

Ceylon Cinnamon harvesting is a labor-intensive process that requires great care, attention to detail, and manual dexterity. The following factors contribute to this. MANUAL REMOVAL OF OUTER BARK: The outer bark must be carefully removed by hand to avoid damaging the delicate inner bark. SCRAPING AND CLEANING: The inner bark is scraped and cleaned to remove any remaining outer bark, which requires great care and attention to detail. ROLLING AND SHAPING: The inner bark is roll

As the summer months approach, many of us seek ways to stay cool and comfortable. Fortunately, nature has provided us with a powerful remedy: Lakadong Turmeric. This natural wonder contains Curcumin, a compound with extensive medicinal properties. Curcumin has natural anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties, which help alleviate summer-related issues like heat exhaustion, dehydration, and sunburn. By reducing inflammation, Lakadong turmeric soothes headaches, nausea, an

Incorporating Star anise into one's diet offers a multitude of health advantages. Its inherent carminative and anti-inflammatory properties effectively mitigate digestive discomfort, including bloating, flatulence, and indigestion. Star anise's antimicrobial attributes contribute to infection control and overall well-being. Moreover, its anti-inflammatory compounds may alleviate inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, asthma, and allergies. The antioxidant richness of star

Pepper is often grown alongside coffee plants, particularly in regions like India, Indonesia, and Brazil. This practice, known as intercropping or companion planting, offers numerous benefits. Coffee plants provide shade for pepper vines, which prefer partial shade to produce high-quality berries. In return, pepper vines help hold the soil in place, preventing erosion and retaining moisture that benefits the coffee plants. Additionally, pepper plants repel certain pests that

During the winter months, spices serve as powerful allies in combating illness and boosting overall health. Spices like ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, and cloves are packed with anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties that support the immune system and help prevent common seasonal ailments. Ginger, known for its ability to ease sore throats and promote healthy digestion, also has natural antibacterial and antiviral qualities that help fend off infections. Tu

For centuries, both Cassia and Ceylon cinnamon (True cinnamon) have been utilized in traditional medicine, but their medicinal profiles reveal notable distinctions. The primary concern with cassia is its remarkably high coumarin content, reaching up to 7% , which poses a risk of toxicity and liver and kidney damage. In contrast, true Ceylon cinnamon boasts a significantly lower coumarin content, capped at 0.04%, rendering it a safer option for regular use. Furthermore, true

Vanilla's rich history spans over 3,000 years, originating in Mesoamerica where Aztecs and Mayans valued it for rituals, ceremonies, and luxury. While ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans prized vanilla for its fragrance, flavor, and medicinal properties, it was introduced to Europe by Hernán Cortés in the 16th century, and was used in traditional medicine, perfumery, and cooking. The 19th century saw the development of vanilla essential oil extraction, paving the way for a

Ceylon Cinnamon, originating from Sri Lanka (formerly known as Ceylon), has been cultivated and traded by native Sinhalese people for centuries. This sacred spice was highly respected in ancient rituals and ceremonies. Traded extensively along the Silk Road and maritime routes, Ceylon Cinnamon was prized by civilizations such as the Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and Chinese, often used as currency, gifts, and offerings to royalty. Today, Sri Lanka remains the world's largest pro