# What Are Essential Indian Spices I Should Buy? **By Jasmeet Singh** · 2026-07-09 If you are new to Indian cooking, the spice section can feel confusing. There are so many masalas, powders, whole spices and seasoning mixes that it is easy to buy too much or buy items you rarely use. The truth is simple: you do not need every Indian spice at home. A small set of essential Indian spices is enough to cook most everyday dishes like dal, curry, sabzi, chole, rajma, pulao, biryani and simple snacks. Indian food gets its flavour from how spices are used. Some spices add colour, some add heat, some give aroma, and some build the base of the dish. Once you know the basics, shopping becomes much easier. ## Quick Answer: Essential Indian Spices to Buy First If you want a simple beginner list, start with turmeric powder, red chilli powder, coriander powder, cumin seeds, garam masala, mustard seeds, hing, and a few whole spices like cardamom, cinnamon, cloves and bay leaves. These spices are enough for most home-style Indian cooking. You can find many of these basics in our [Indian spices collection](https://www.miniindiagrocery.nl/collections/spices-seasonings) and [spices and seasonings collection](https://www.miniindiagrocery.nl/collections/spices-seasonings). ## 1\. Turmeric Powder Turmeric powder is one of the most common Indian spices. It gives food a warm yellow colour and a mild earthy flavour. You will use it in dal, vegetable curries, lentil dishes, rice and marinades. You only need a small amount, so one pack usually lasts a long time. If you are building your Indian spice box from zero, turmeric should be one of the first spices you buy. ## 2\. Red Chilli Powder Red chilli powder adds heat and colour to Indian food. Some chilli powders are very spicy, while others are milder and used mainly for colour. If you are cooking for children or people who do not eat very spicy food, start with a mild or medium chilli powder. Red chilli powder is useful for curry bases, chole, rajma, pakora batter, paneer marinades and many quick Indian snacks. ## 3\. Coriander Powder Coriander powder is mild, fresh and slightly citrusy. It helps balance stronger spices and gives Indian curries more body. Many onion-tomato curry bases use coriander powder because it blends well with turmeric, chilli and cumin. This is one of the most practical spices to keep at home because it works in both dry sabzi and gravy dishes. ## 4\. Cumin Seeds Cumin seeds are a must-have for Indian cooking. In many recipes, cooking starts by adding cumin seeds to hot oil or ghee. This releases aroma and gives the dish its first layer of flavour. You can use cumin seeds in dal tadka, jeera rice, potato dishes, vegetable stir fry and yogurt-based dishes. A small pack gives strong value because you use only a little at a time. ## 5\. Garam Masala Garam masala is not one spice. It is a spice blend usually added near the end of cooking to give the dish a warm and aromatic finish. It helps simple dishes taste more complete. You can use garam masala in paneer dishes, curries, chole, rajma, pulao and keema. If you want to explore ready-made Indian masala blends, you can also check our [MDH masala collection](https://www.miniindiagrocery.nl/collections/mdh-masala). ## 6\. Mustard Seeds Mustard seeds are especially common in South Indian and Gujarati cooking. When added to hot oil, they crackle and release a strong, nutty flavour. They are often used in tadka, chutneys, sambhar, upma and vegetable dishes. Even if you do not cook South Indian food every day, mustard seeds are worth keeping in your kitchen because they add a different flavour compared to cumin. ## 7\. Hing Hing, also called asafoetida, has a very strong smell when raw, but it changes beautifully during cooking. You only need a pinch. It is often used in dal, khichdi, potato dishes and lentil-based curries. Hing is especially useful in vegetarian Indian cooking because it adds depth and a proper home-style flavour. ## 8\. Whole Spices for Aroma Whole spices are used when you want deeper aroma. The most useful whole spices to buy first are green cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, bay leaves and black peppercorns. These are commonly used in biryani, pulao, chai, rich curries and festive dishes. You do not need a large quantity. A small pack is enough for regular home cooking. ## A Simple Beginner Indian Spice List If you want to keep your shopping simple, this is a good starter list: - Turmeric powder - Red chilli powder - Coriander powder - Cumin seeds - Garam masala - Mustard seeds - Hing - Cardamom - Cinnamon - Cloves - Bay leaves With these spices, you can cook most everyday Indian meals without overfilling your kitchen shelf. You can start from our [Indian spices online](https://www.miniindiagrocery.nl/collections/spices-seasonings) collection and slowly add more spices as your cooking improves. ## How to Store Indian Spices Indian spices stay fresh longer when stored properly. Keep them in airtight containers, away from direct sunlight, heat, steam and moisture. Do not keep spice packets open near the stove because steam can reduce freshness and aroma. Ground spices usually lose flavour faster than whole spices, so it is better to buy practical quantities that you will actually use. ## Conclusion If you are wondering what Indian spices you should buy first, start small. Turmeric powder, red chilli powder, coriander powder, cumin seeds and garam masala are the real everyday basics. After that, add mustard seeds, hing and a few whole spices depending on what you like to cook. At Mini India Grocery, we make it easy to buy Indian groceries online across Europe. You can shop authentic Indian spices, masalas, lentils, rice, snacks and other kitchen essentials from home. Customers in the Netherlands get free delivery on orders above €29, and if you are nearby, you can also visit our physical store in Hilversum. Whether you are starting Indian cooking for the first time or restocking your spice box, our [spices and seasonings collection](/collections/spices-seasonings) is a practical place to begin. ## FAQ: Essential Indian Spices ### Which Indian spices are most essential for beginners? The most essential Indian spices for beginners are turmeric powder, red chilli powder, coriander powder, cumin seeds and garam masala. These five spices are enough to cook many everyday Indian dishes. ### What is the best Indian spice to buy first? Turmeric powder and cumin seeds are two of the best Indian spices to buy first because they are used in many simple Indian recipes. ### Do I need whole spices or powdered spices? You need both, but start with powdered spices if you want easy daily cooking. Whole spices are useful for rice dishes, chai, biryani and rich curries. ### How many Indian spices do I need at home? You do not need a huge collection. Around 8 to 10 core Indian spices are enough for most home-cooked meals. ### Where can I buy Indian spices online in Europe? You can buy Indian spices online from Mini India Grocery. We deliver Indian groceries across Europe, and customers in the Netherlands get free delivery on orders above €29. --- > Source: [Mini India Grocery](https://www.miniindiagrocery.nl/blogs/netherlands/what-are-essential-indian-spices-i-should-buy)