Spicy Riddles Class 4 Notes EVS Chapter 25

This chapter teaches us about various spices found around us. It presents riddles about different spices, and we need to solve them to discover the correct names of the spices. Additionally, the chapter provides a recipe for making potato chaat.

Riddle 1

Red Chilli 

• Red chilli is a spicy ingredient used in cooking.
• It comes from the chilli pepper plant, which grows in warm and sunny places.
• The red chilli pepper is small and bright red, but it can also be green or orange.
• It is dried and ground into a powder to make chilli powder.

Red Chilli

• Red chilli adds flavour and heat to dishes.
• It contains capsaicin, which gives it its spicy flavour and has health benefits.
• Using red chilli in moderation is important to avoid stomach discomfort.
• It's a popular spice enjoyed by many people worldwide.

Riddle 2

Turmeric

• Turmeric is a spice that has a bright yellow colour.
• It comes from the root of a plant called the turmeric plant.
• People have been using turmeric in cooking and medicine for a very long time.

Turmeric (Haldi)

• Turmeric grows in countries like India, where it's used in dishes like curry.
• The special part of turmeric that makes it yellow and healthy is called curcumin.
• Curcumin helps to reduce swelling and pain in the body.
• Turmeric also helps to make our immune system strong.
• When we cook with turmeric, it gives food a nice warm and earthy taste.
• Some people use turmeric to colour clothes and fabrics too.

Riddle 3

Black Pepper

• Black pepper is a common spice used in cooking.
• It comes from a plant called the pepper vine, which grows in hot and humid climates like India, Vietnam, and Indonesia.
• Black pepper has a strong and slightly spicy flavour that adds zest to many dishes.

Black Pepper

• People have been using black pepper for thousands of years, both for cooking and for its medicinal properties.
• In addition to making food taste delicious, black pepper can also aid digestion and help relieve coughs and colds.
• Black pepper is often ground into a fine powder and used to season dishes while cooking or added as a table condiment.
• It's an essential spice in many cuisines around the world, from Indian curries to Italian pasta dishes.

Riddle 4

Jeera

• Jeera, also known as cumin seeds, is a small spice commonly used in cooking.
• It comes from a plant called Cuminum cyminum, which is native to regions like India and the Middle East.
• Jeera seeds are tiny and elongated with a distinct aroma and flavor.

Jeera

• They are brownish in color and have a slightly bitter taste.
• Jeera is often used whole or ground into a powder and added to various dishes to enhance their flavor.
• It is a key ingredient in many Indian, Mexican, and Middle Eastern cuisines.
• Jeera is rich in nutrients like iron, which helps our bodies stay healthy.
• It aids in digestion and can help relieve stomach discomfort.
• Some people also believe that jeera has medicinal properties and use it to treat minor ailments.

Riddle 5

Fennel Seed (Saunf)

• Fennel seeds, also known as saunf, are small, oval-shaped seeds that come from the fennel plant.
• The fennel plant has feathery leaves and yellow flowers, and it grows in many parts of the world, including India, Europe, and the Mediterranean region.
• People have been using fennel seeds for thousands of years, both as a spice and as a herbal remedy for various health issues.
• In cooking, fennel seeds are often used to add flavor to dishes like curries, soups, and baked goods. They can be used whole or ground into a powder.

Sauf

• Fennel seeds are also sometimes chewed after meals in some cultures, as they are believed to aid digestion and freshen breath.
• Apart from their culinary uses, fennel seeds are also used in traditional medicine for their potential health benefits. They are believed to help with digestion, reduce bloating and gas, and even freshen breath.

Riddle 6 

Clove

• Cloves are a type of spice that comes from the flower buds of the clove tree.
• The clove tree is an evergreen tree native to Indonesia, but it also grows in other tropical countries like India, Sri Lanka, and Madagascar.
• Cloves have a strong, sweet, and spicy flavor with a warm aroma.
• They are often used in cooking to add flavor to dishes like curries, soups, and baked goods.

Clove

• Cloves are also used in making spice mixes like garam masala and pumpkin pie spice.
• Apart from cooking, cloves have medicinal properties. They contain antioxidants and have been used for centuries in traditional medicine to relieve toothaches and improve digestion.
• Cloves are usually dried and used whole or ground into a powder.

All About Spices

• Spices are the dried parts of various plants that have strong fragrances or flavours. 
• People use spices to flavour foods.
• They also use the oils of spice plants to make perfumes, cosmetics, toiletries, and toothpaste.
• Spices have played an important role in world history.
• The search for spices led many explorers to discover new lands.
• Spices come from the seeds, fruits, or other parts of certain plants.
• Cardamom, black pepper, coriander, poppy, sesame, and nutmeg are seeds. 
• Cloves are flower buds, and chilies and allspice are fruits. Cinnamon is made from the bark of a tree.
• Ginger and turmeric are roots. When leaves of certain plants are used in a way similar to spices, they are usually known as herbs.

Some More Spices 

Cardamom

• Cardamom is a spice made from the seed pods of various plants in the ginger family.

Elaichi

• Cardamom pods are spindle-shaped and have a triangular cross-section.
• The pods contain a number of seeds, but the entire cardamom pod can be used whole or ground.

Sesame Seeds

• Sesame seed is the seed of the sesame plant.
• The plant is an annual herb with foxglove-like flowers that produce pods containing the edible sesame seeds. The pods burst open with a pop when the seeds are mature.
• The hulls are removed as they contain oxalic acid, which gives a bitter flavor.
• The seeds can also be pressed for sesame oil.
• Sesame seeds have a nutty, slightly sweet taste and aroma which is enhanced by toasting.
• The black seeds are said to have more bitterness.

Activity to Recognize the Species

For your class activity, bring some whole spices. Write their names on a table. Then, close your eyes and use your sense of smell and touch to identify each spice one by one. Put a checkmark in front of the ones you know. Put a cross next to any spices you don't recognize.

Let’s try making a spicy potato chaat

Ingredients

• For this activity, make sure you have enough boiled potatoes for everyone in the class. 
• You can add flavors like salt, red chili powder, mango powder (Amchur), or lemon juice to taste. 
• If possible, include roasted cumin seeds (zeera), black salt, and garam masala for extra flavor. 
• Don't forget to add fresh coriander leaves for a finishing touch.

Procedure for Making

• Cut the boiled potatoes into small pieces after peeling them.
• For flavor, sprinkle some salt, red chili powder, mango powder, or lemon juice.
• To make your chaat tastier, add roasted cumin seeds, black salt, and coriander powder.
• You can also add a little bit of garam masala at the end.
• Mix the potatoes well.
• Yay! Decorate with chopped coriander leaves.
• Now, enjoy eating your hot chaat!

Word Meanings 

• Spices: Substances such as salt, pepper, and ginger are used to flavour food.
• Powdered: Something that has been ground into a fine, dry substance.
• Season: To add flavour to food by using ingredients like salt, pepper, or spices.
• Chaat: A type of savoury snack or dish made with ingredients like potatoes, spices, and sauces, often found in Indian cuisine.
• Roasted: Cooked by exposure to direct heat, often resulting in a slightly charred or browned appearance and a rich flavour.
• Fragrance: A pleasant smell.
• Refresh: To make something feel fresh or new again.
• Tejpatta: A type of spice leaf often used in Indian cooking, also known as Indian bay leaf.
• Coriander: A herb with green leaves and seeds used to add flavour to food, also known as cilantro.
• Garam masala: A mixture of ground spices commonly used in Indian cooking, including cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves.
• Peel: To remove the outer skin or covering of something, like fruit or vegetables.
• Mango powder (Amchur): A spice made from dried unripe mangoes, commonly used in Indian cuisine to add a tangy flavour.
• Hurrah: An expression of joy or excitement.
• Soothe: To make someone feel calm or less upset.
• Potpourri: A mixture of dried petals, leaves, and spices used to create a pleasant scent, often placed in a bowl for decoration.