Thursday, June 26, 2008

kesar

Saffron is the slender, dried, flattened Stigma of a small crocus of the iris family. Often called 'The Golden Spice', Saffron is a culinary and medicinal spice used since time immemorial.
This bright orange-red strands is an expensive spice appreciated for its delicate, distinctive flavour and striking colour. It has a peculiar, exotic, bitter taste. It is used in special dishes, especially in the preparation of different type of sweets. It is also used in
perfumes and dyes.
http://www.webindia123.com/spices/saffron.htm

mehndi

The word "henna" comes from the Arabic name for Lawsonia inermis, pronounced /ħinnaːʔ/ or colloquially /ħinna/.
In the Bible's Song of Songs and Song of Solomon, henna is referred to as Camphire.
In the Indian subcontinent, there are many variant words such as
Mehndi in North India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. In Telugu (India, Malaysia, USA), it is known as Gorintaaku. In Tamil (South India, Singapore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka) it is called "Marudhaani" and is used as ground fresh leaves rather than as dried powder. It is used in various festivals and celebrations
Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia

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