Divya Pandey
In Indian cooking, tadka or tempering is the process of heating spices in oil or ghee to bring out their flavors.
Asafoetida and cumin are two of the many digestive spices used in tadka that aid in improving digestion and lessening gastrointestinal pain.
The antioxidant rich spices used in tadka such as currry leaves, mustard seeds and turmeric aid in the prevention of oxidative stress.
Tadka infuses food with the aromatic essence of spices giving them depth and richness.
The fats in the ghee or oil used to make Tadka help the fat soluble vitamins in the dish's ingredients to be absorbed.
Tadka can prolong the shelf life of some foods by preventing the formation of dangerous microorganisms.
Depending on the spices used, tadka can provide a hint of warmth, tanginess or bitterness to a dish balancing its flavors.