The spice journal
How to choose, store and cook with Indian spices, from everyday tadka to festival sweets.
22 October 2026, in Festivals
Karva Chauth sargi and the evening thali
What goes on the Karva Chauth sargi plate before dawn and on the thali after moonrise, with the cardamom, pepper and nuts that make both feel festive.
Read the article
Black pepper mathri for the Diwali namkeen tin
Crisp, flaky mathri with crushed black pepper and ajwain, the namkeen every Diwali tin needs. Make it a week ahead; it keeps for weeks in a closed tin.
21 October 2026, in Festivals
Bhai Dooj: a cardamom besan ladoo and thoughtful gifts
Bhai Dooj closes the Diwali week with tilak, sweets and gifts. A cardamom besan ladoo you can make in half an hour, and gift ideas that last beyond the day.
20 October 2026, in Festivals
Thekua for Chhath Puja, with jaggery and cardamom
Thekua is the crisp jaggery and wheat prasad of Chhath Puja. A step-by-step recipe with cardamom and fennel, and how to keep it crisp for days.
19 October 2026, in Festivals
What is mukhwas? The after-meal mix for Diwali guests
Mukhwas is the small bowl of seeds passed round after an Indian meal. What goes into it, how families serve it at Diwali, and how to set up your own bowl.
12 October 2026, in Festivals
Chia pudding three ways: mango, banana and nuts
One base, three toppings. How to soak chia seeds into a set pudding, the ratio that works every time, and three easy ways to finish the glass for breakfast.
11 October 2026, in Recipes
Raw or roasted seeds: which to use, and how to store them
Raw seeds go into cooking and baking, roasted seeds are ready to eat. How to choose between our pumpkin and flax jars, use each one well and keep them fresh.
10 October 2026, in Quality
Diwali 2026 Spice Gift Hampers for Family and Corporate Gifting
Diwali 2026 is on 8 November. Spice gift hamper ideas for family and corporate gifting, and what makes a good spice gift: freshness, FSSAI and presentation.
28 September 2026, in Festivals
Dussehra 2026 Feast Menu: Dishes and the Whole Spices Behind Them
Dussehra 2026 is on 20 October. A regional feast menu, from fafda jalebi to bhog khichuri, the whole spices behind each dish, and two festive recipes.
27 September 2026, in Recipes
Sabudana Kheer with Cardamom: An Easy Navratri Vrat Recipe
A creamy sabudana kheer with cardamom, with exact quantities, tips to stop it turning gluey, and variations including makhana kheer for the Navratri fast.
26 September 2026, in Recipes
Navratri 2026 Colours: A Nine-Day Vrat Menu and Its Spices
The Navratri 2026 colours, orange on 11 October to peacock green on 19 October, with one vrat dish for each day and the spice that makes it taste right.
25 September 2026, in Festivals
Navratri 2026 Vrat Spices: What Is Allowed and What to Skip
Navratri 2026 runs 11 to 20 October. See which spices most families use in vrat food, which are usually skipped, and three easy recipes to cook with them.
24 September 2026, in Festivals
Amazon Great Indian Festival 2026: A Spice Stock-Up List
Amazon Great Indian Festival 2026 starts 8 October. A spice stock-up list for Navratri, Dussehra and Diwali, and how to spot a real deal on spices.
23 September 2026, in Recipes