INDIAN COOKING GLOSSARY

Are you confused with the Indian names of various ingredients, categories and processes? Solve
your problems with our comprehensive glossary. Search for the Indian/Hindi name in the
alphabetically indexed first column and find the corresponding English terms.

Glossary Of Pulses:
English Name Indian / Hindi Name
Beaten Rice Poha
Bengal Gram Chana
Black Gram Sabut Urad Dal / Kaali Dal
Black Eyed Beans Chawli / Lobhia
Broken Wheat Dalia
Chickpeas (brown) Chana
Chickpeas (green) Cholia / Hara Chana
Chickpeas (white) Kabuli Chana
Gram Flour Besan / Chane Ka Atta
Green Gram Moong
Horse Gram Kulthi
Maize Flour Makai Ka Atta
Puffed Rice Kurmura
Red Kidney Beans Rajma
Red Lentil Masoor
Refined Flour Maida
Rice Chawal
Semolina Rava / Suji
Split Bengal Gram Chana Dal
Split Black Gram Urad Dal / Kaali Dal
Split Green Gram Moong Dal
Split Red Gram Tuvar Dal / Arhar Dal
Split Red Lentil Masoor Dal
Wheat Gehun
Wheat Flour Gehun Ka Atta
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 Indian Names For Spices, Fruits, Dairy Products and Their Categories:
Common Indian Names English Names Category
Adrak / Sonth Ginger Spices
Ajwain Carom Seeds / Thyme Spices
Amchoor Dried Mango Powder Masala
Pomegranate Seeds
Anaar Dana (Powder) Masala
(Dried)
Angoor Grapes Fruit
Atta Wheat Flour Flour
Badam Almond Dry Fruit
Besan Gram Flour Flour
Bhutta Corn Cobs Vegetable
Chana Bengal Gram Pulses
Chana Dal Gram Dal Pulses
Chikoo Sapota Fruit
Chhuara Dates (Dried) Dry Fruit
Dahi Curd Dairy Product
Dalchini Cinnamon Spices
Dhania Patta Coriander Leaves Vegetable
Dhania Powder Coriander Powder Masala
Elaichi (Chhoti) Green Cardamom Spices
Elaichi (Moti) Brown Cardamom Spices
Ghee Clarified Butter Dairy Product
Hari Mirch Green Chilly Vegetable
Hing Asafetida Spices
Imli Tamarind General
Jaiphal Nutmeg Seeds
Javitri Mace Spices
Jeera Cumin Seed Seeds
Kaju Cashew Nut Dry Fruit
Kala Jeera / Black Cumin Seeds Caraway Seeds Seeds
Kala Namak Rock Salt Masala
Kali Mirch Black Pepper Spices
Kari Patta Curry Leaves Herb
Kheera Cucumber Vegetable
Dried Whole
Khoya, Mawa Dairy Product
Milk/Thickened Milk
Kishmish Currants Dry Fruit
Lasan / Lahsun Garlic Spices
Laung Clove Spices
Maida Fine Wheat Flour Cereal
Malai Cream Milk Fat

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 Mattha (Chhaach) Butter Milk Dairy Product
Methi Fenugreek Seeds Seeds
Mirch Chilly Vegetable
Moong Fali Groundnut Dry Fruits
Nimboo ka Sat Citric Acid Acid
Paneer Cottage Cheese Dairy Product
Patta Gobi Cabbage Vegetable
Paav / Pav / Pao Bun Cereal
Phitkari Alum General
Phool Gobi Cauliflower Vegetable
Poha, Chiwda Flaked, Beaten rice Cereal
Pudina Leaves Mint Leaves Vegetables
Raai / Raee Mustard Seeds (Small) Spices
Saboodana / Sabudana Sago General
Sarson Mustard Seeds (Moti) Spices
Saunf Aniseed Seeds
Shimla Mirch Capsicum Vegetable
Cooking
Tadka Seasoning
Process
Tej Patta Bay Leaf Herb
Urad Dal Horse Bean Pulses

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
Rai Kuria
Cracked
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
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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
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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
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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

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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

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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
Chana Dal
chickpeas
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

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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)

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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

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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

Portable Cooking stove converted Galvanized Bucket, Uses
Angithi
charcoal
Atta Chhalni Flour sifter
Bartan Cookware, Cooking utensils, Tableware
Bawarchi-Khana Kitchen
Belan Rolling pin
Large cooking stove made of bricks and clay. To prepare foods in
Bhatti
bulk
Bhigona Cooking pot with a lid

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

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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

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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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Top Of Page

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

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