This glossary includes Common Ingredient names in five Indian languages – Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, Telugu, and Hindi apart from English. When you are viewing in mobile, scroll to the left to view in all six languages.
| ENGLISH | HINDI | TAMIL | MALAYALAM | TELUGU | KANNADA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Almonds | Badam | Baadaam, Vadhumai | Badam | Badam | Badami |
| Amaranthus dubius | Chauli/ Chavleri saag | Arai keerai | Cheera | Yerra thottakura / koyagura | Arave soppu / Dantina soppu |
| Amaranthus spinosus/ Prickly amaranth | Kanta chaulayi | Mullu keerai | Kaatumullenkeera | Mulla thotakoora | Mullu haruve |
| Amaranthus viridus / pigweed | Junglee chaulayi | Kuppai keerai | Kuppa cheera | Chilaka thotakoora | Kere soppu/daggi soppu |
| Aniseed | Valaiti Saunf, aawonf | Sombu | Shombu | Kuppi soptu | Sompu |
| Asafoetida | Hing | Perungayam | Kaayam | Inguva | Hingu |
| Ashgourd | Safed Petha | Poosanikkaai | Ilavan,Kumbalangna | Boodia Gummadi | Boodi Kumbala |
| Avacado | Avacado | Vennai pazham | Avaocado | Avokado | Avocado |
| Banana | Kela | Vazhai pazham | Vazha pazham | Arati | Bale |
| Banyard millet | Sanwa/Samvat ke chawal/Jhangora | Kuthiraivali | Kavadapullu | Odalu | Oodhalu |
| Basil | Tulsi | Thulasi | Thulasi | Thulasi | Thulasi |
| Bay leaf | Tej Patta | Biriyani Ilai | Karuva ila | Be aku | Lavangada ele |
| Bengal Gram | Channa Dal | Kadalai Paruppu | Kadala Parippu | Senaga Pappu | Kadale Bele |
| Bitter Gourd | Karela | Pagarkai/ Pavakka | Pavaykka / Kaipakka | Kakarakaya | Hagalakayi |
| Black Caraway seeds/Nigella seeds | Kalajeera,kalonji | Karunjeerakam | Karunjeerakam | Nalla jeelakarra | Kari jeerige |
| Black Gram(Split) | Urad dal | Ulutham paruppu | Uzhunnu parippu | Mina Pappu | Uddina Bele |
| Black gram(whole) | Sabat Urad | Ulundhu | Uzhunnu | Minu Mulu | Uddu |
| Bottle gourd | Ghia,Lauki | Suraikaai | Cheraikai | Sorakaya | Sorekai |
| Brinjal | Baingan | Kathirikaai | Vazhudhiningnya | Vankaya | Badanekai |
| Broad Beans | Sem,Papdi | Avaraikaai | Amarakai | Pedda Chikkudu | Chapparad-avare |
| Broken wheat | Dhaliya,Lapsi | Godhumai ravai | Godhumbu Ari | Danchina Gadhumalu | Kuttida Godhi |
| Buckwheat | Kuttu | Papparai, Mara godhumai | Taninnu | ||
| Butter | Makhan | Vennai | Venna | Venna | Benne |
| Cabbage | Bandh Gobi | Muttaikosu | Muttakose | Kosu | Kosu,Donne |
| Capsicum | Simla Mirch | Kuda Milagaai | Parangi Mulagu | Pedda mirappa | Menasinakai |
| Caraway seeds | Siya Zira, Shahjeera | Shimai Shambu | Shima jeerakam | Sima jirakai | Shima jeerige |
| Cardamoms (Brown) | Moti Elaichi | Elakkaai(Pazhupu) | Elakkaya | Yalakulu | Yalakki |
| Cardamoms (Green) | Choti Elaichi | Elakkaai(Pachai) | Pacha Elakkaya | Yalakulu(Pachavi) | Yalakki(Hasuru) |
| Cardiospermum halicacabum / Baloon vine | Kanphata / Kanphuti | Mudakathan keerai | Paluruvam / Karuthakunni / Jyotishmati | Buddakakara / Kasaritige, | Erumballi / Bekkinatoddinaballi |
| Carrot | Gaajar | Carrot | Carrot | Gajjara gadda | Gajjari |
| Cashewnut | Kaju | Munthiri paruppu | Kashuvandi | Jeedi pappu | Geru beeja |
| Castor oil | Rendee ka thael | Amanuku ennai/ Velakennai | Avanakenna/ Velakenna | Amudamu | Haralenne |
| Cauliflower | Phulgobi | Cauliflower | Coliflower | Cauliflower | Hookosu |
| Chick peas | Kabuli Chane | Vellai Kothukadalai, Kondaikadalai | Vella Kadala | Senagalu | Kadale kaalu |
| Celery | Shalari, Ajmud | Ajmoda | Ayamodhakam | Akukurala | Selari |
| Chironje nuts | Char/ Chironji/ Chiraunji | Sarai paruppu | Moongapaezh/ nuramaram | Sara Pappu | Charoli |
| Cinnamon | Dalchini | Lavangapattai | Karuvapatta, Karayamboovu | Dalchina Chekka | Dalchini |
| Clarified butter | Ghee | Ney | Neyy | Neyyi | Tuppa |
| Cloves | Laung | Kraambu | Kaaramb | Lavangalu | Lavanga |
| Cluster Beans | Gawaar/Guaar/ Guarphali | Kothavarangai | Kothamara | Goruchikkudu/ Gokarakaya/ Matikkaya | Chavalikayi/ Javalikayi |
| Coconut | Naariyal | Thengaai | Naalikeram,Thengna | Kobbari kaaya | Tenginakai |
| Coconut oil | Nariyal thael | Thenga ennai | Velichenna | Kobbari nune | Tengina enne |
| Corriander leaves | Hara dhaniya | Kothamalli Ilai | Kothamalli Ila | Kothimeera | Kottambari Soppu |
| Corriander seeds | Sukha dhaniya | Kothamalli vidhai | Kothamalli, Malli | Dhaniyalu | Kottambari Beeja |
| Corn flour | Refined makai ka atta | Chola maavu | Cholapodi | Mokkajonnalu pindi | Musukinajolada Hittu |
| Cucumber | Kakri | Vellerikaai | Vellarikka | Dosaikai | Sautekayi |
| Cumin seeds | Jeera | Jeeragam | Jeerakam | Jeelakara | Jeerige |
| Curd | Dahi | Thayir | Thayiru | Perugu | Mosaru |
| Curry leaves | Kadi patta | Kariveppilai | Kariveppila | Karivepaku | Karibevu |
| Currants | Munaqqa | Karumdhraakshai | Karuthamunthiri | Endu nalla , Dhraaksha | Dweepa, Dhraakshi-kappu |
| Dates | Khajur | Perichampazham | Eethapazham | Kharjoora Pandu | Kharjoora |
| Digera muricata / False Amaranth | Chanchali | Thoyya keerai / Kaatu keerai | Kaatucheera | Chenchalicettu | Chenchalisoppu |
| Drumstick | Sahjan ki Phali | Murungai kaai | Muringnakkaya | Munagakayalu | Nuggekai |
| Dry ginger | Saunth/Soonth | Sukku | Chukku | Sonti | Shunti |
| Dry Mango powder | Amchur | Maanga podi | Maangna podi | Mamidikaya pudi | Mavinakai Pudi |
| Dry Plums | Alu Bukara | Aalpacota Ular Pazham | - | - | - |
| Dry white peas | Sukhe matar | - | - | - | - |
| Eclipta prostrata/ False daisy | Bhringaraj | Karisalanganni | Kaithonni, Kanjunni | Galijeru / Bringarajamu | Garugalu / Garagadasaapu |
| Fennel | Saunf,sonp | Shombei | Perumjeerakam | Sopu,Pedda-jilakara | Badi-sopu |
| Fenugreek seeds | Methi dana | Vendhayam | Uluva | Menthulu | Menthe |
| Foxtail millet | Kangni | Thinai | Thina | Korralu | Navane |
| French beans | Pharasbean | Beans | Beans | French Chikkudu | French beans, Avare |
| Garlic | Lassan | Poondu,Ulli poondu | Veluthulli,Vellulli | Velluli | Belluli |
| Ginger(fresh) | Adhrak | Inji | Inchi | Allam(Pachchi) | Ashi Shunti |
| Gram flour | Besan | Kadalai mavu | Kadala maavu | Senega Pindi | Kadale hittu |
| Grapes | Angur | Dhirakshai | Muntiri | Dhratchapandu | Dhraakshi |
| Greens | Saag | Keerai | Cheera | - | Soppu |
| Green Chillies | Hari Mirch | Pachai milagai | Pachamulagu | Pachchi Mirapakayalu | Hasi Menasinakai |
| Green gram(whole) | Sabut moong | Pachai payiru | Cheru payaru | Pesalu | Hesaru |
| Green gram(split) | Moong dal | Payatham Paruppu | Cheru payaru parippu, cherparippu | Pesara pappu | Hesaru bele |
| Guavas | Amrud | Koyyapazham | Perakkai | Jaamapandu | Seebe |
| Honey | Shahad | Thaen | Thaen | Tene | Jenu |
| Horse gram | Kulthi | Kollu | Muthira | Ulavalu | Huruli kalu, Hurali kalu |
| Jackfruit | Kathal | Pazhapazham | Chakka pazham | Panasa pandu | Halasina hannu |
| Jaggery | Gur | Vellam | Sarkara,Vellam | Bellam | Bella |
| Kidney beans | Rajma | Pavala mochai | - | - | Capparadavare |
| Kodo millet | Kodra | Varagu | Varak | Arikelu | Arka |
| Lady’s finger | Bhindi | Vendaikaai | Vendakka | Bendakaaya | Bendekai |
| Lettuce | Salad ke patte | Lettuce keerai | Uvarcheera | Lettuce koora | Lettuce Soppu |
| Lemon | Nimbu | Elumicham Pazham | Cherunarangna | Nimma | Nimbe |
| Little millet | Kutki, Sama, | Samai | Chama | Samalu | Same |
| Mace | Javithri | Jaadipathiri | Jaathipathiri | Jaapathiri | Jaapatri |
| Maize | Jowar | Cholam | Cholam | Jonnalu | Mekke jola |
| Mango | Aam | Maampazham | Maampazham | Mamidipandu | Mavina hannu |
| Milk | Doodh | Paal | Paal | Pala | Haalu |
| Mint leaves | Pudina | Pudhinaa | Pudhinaa | Pudhina Koora | Pudina Sopu |
| Moringa oleifera leaves/ Drumstick leaves | Sahjan ka patta | Murungai keerai | Murunga Ela | Munaga Aakulu | Nugge Yelle |
| Mushroom | Kukar moote | Kaalaan | Koonu | Putta godugu | |
| Mustard oil | Sarsoon ka thel | Kadugu ennai | Kadugenna | Avanune | Sasive enne |
| Mustard seeds | Rai | Kadugu | Kadugu | Aavaalu | Sasive Kalu |
| Nutmeg | Jaiphal | Jaadhikaai | Jathikka | Jaikkaya | Jaika |
| Onions | Pyaaz | Vengayam | Ulli | Yerra gaddalu | Irulli |
| Orange | Santra | Oranju, Kichilipazham | Madura narangna | Kamala Pandu | Kittale |
| Palm oil | Taad ka tael | Pamayil | Pana enna | Tavudu nune | Tale enne |
| Papaya | Papitha | Papalipazham | Pappali | Pobbayapandu | Pappayi |
| Parsely | Ajmooda ka patta | - | - | - | - |
| Peanut | Moongphali | Verkadalai | nilakadala | Veru Chenga Pappu | Kadalekayi |
| Peas | Mattar | Pattani | Pattani payarau | Bathanedu | Batani |
| Pearl millet | Bajra | Kambu | Kambu | Sajjalu | Sajje |
| Pears | Rahila | Baerikai | Paerikka | Baeri | Paerale |
| Peppercorns | Kaali mirch ki dane | Milagu | Kurumulagu | Miriyaalu | Menasina Kalu, Karimenasa |
| Pineapple | Anannas | Annasipazham | Kazhudhachakka | Ananasipandu | Ananas |
| Pomogranate seeds | Anardana | Maadhulai vidhai | Madhala narangna kuru | Daanimma ginjalu | Dalimbo beeja |
| Poppy seeds | Khuskhus | Kasakasaa | Kaskas | Gasagasaalu | Gasagase beeja |
| Potato | Aloo | Urulai Kizhangu | Uralakezhangnu | Bangala Dumpa | Aalugadde |
| Proso millet | Chena | Panivaragu | Panivaragu | Varigalu | Baragu |
| Radish | Mooli | Mullangi | Mullangi | Mullangi | Mullangi |
| Ragi/Finger millet | Ragi/Nachni | Kelvaragu | Muthari,Panjapullu, Koovaragu | Ragulu | Ragi |
| Raisins | Khishmish | Ular Dhraakshai | Unakkamunthiri | Kismis Pallu | Dweepadrakshi |
| Raw banana | Kachcha kela | Vazhakkaai | Vazhakka | Aratikaya | Balle kaya |
| Red chillies | Lal mirch | Milagai vatral, Sigappu milagai | Chuvanna mulagu | Erra mirapa kayalu | Kempu Menasinakai |
| Red gram | Arhar dal | Thuvaram paruppu | Thuvara Parippu | Kandi Pappu | Togari Bele |
| Red lentils(split) | Masoor dal | Masoor paruppu, mysore paruppu | Masoor parippu | Missu Pappu | Masur Bele |
| Red pumpkin | Bhopla | Parangikaai | Mathan | Erra Gummadi | Kempu kumbala |
| Refined flour (All purpose flour) | Maida | Maida maavu | Maida | Maida pindi | Maida hittu |
| Rice | Chawal | Arisi | Ari | Vari | Akki |
| Rice flakes | Chivda | Arisi aval | avil | Atukulu | Avalakki |
| Ridge Gourd | Turee | Peerkangai | Peechangya | Beerakaya | Hirekayi |
| Roasted gram | Bhuna Channa/Sattu | Pottukadalai | Pori kadala | Kalcina grama | Hurida gram |
| Saffron | Kesar | Kunguma poo | kungumapoovu | Kumkum poova | kesari |
| Sago | Sabudhana | Javarisi | chowwari | Sabbiyyamu, | Sabaki |
| Salt | Namak | Uppu | Uppu | Uppu | Uppu |
| Sapota | Chiku | Sapota | Sapota | Sapotapandu | sapota |
| Sesbania grandiflora | Agasthi, Gaach-munga | Agathi keerai | Akatti | Avisha | Agasi |
| Sesame oil | Til ka thael | Nallennai/ Ell ennaai | Ellenna/Nallena | Nuvvula nune | Ellina enne |
| Sesame seeds | Til | Ellu | Ellu | Nuvvulu | ellu |
| Snake Gourd | Chachinda | Pudalangai | Padavalangya | Potlakaya | Adla balli / Adla kaayi/ Padavalakai/ |
| Solanum nigrum / Black nightshade greens | Mokoi | Manathakali keerai / Chukutti keerai | Mulaku thakkali cheera / Kasumuthi /Karim thakkali | Kasaka | Kaagehannina gida / Kaakamache, |
| Sorghum | Jowar | Cholam | Cholam | Jonna | Jola |
| Spinach | Palak | Pasalaikkerai | Cheera | Pachalikoora | Palaka |
| Spring Onions | Hari pyaaz | Vengaya thaal | Ulli thal | Vulli kada | Eerulli hoova |
| String beans | Barbatti | Thatta payaru | Achingya, Achingya payaru | - | Alasande kayi |
| Sugar | Cheeni | Sarkarai/ sakkarai | Panjasara / pansara | Chakara | Sakkare |
| Sugar candy | Misri | Kalkandu | Kalkandam | Kalakanda | Kalkandu |
| Sweet potato | Shakarkandh | Sakkaravalli kizhangu | Madura Kizhangu | Chilakada dumpa | Sihi Genasu |
| Tamarind | Imli | Puli | Puli | Chinthapandu | Hunase Hannu |
| Tapioca, Cassava | Cassava | Maravalli kizhangu | Kappa | Karapendalam | Maragenasu |
| Tomato | Tamatar | Thakkali | Thakkali | Tamata | Goore hannu |
| Turmeric | Haldi | Manjal | Manjnal | Pasupu | Arasina |
| Turnip | Shalgam | Turnip | Turnip | ||
| Thyme seeds | Ajwain | Omam | Ayamodakam | Vamu | Oma |
| Vermicilli | Sevain | Semiya | Semiya | Semiya | Shavige |
| Vinegar | Sirka | Pulikaadi | Vinagiri,Surka | - | - |
| Walnut | Akhroot | Akhroot | Akrotandi | Akhroot kaya | Acrota |
| Wheat | Gehu | Godhumai | Godhambu | Godhumalu | Godhi |
| Whey | Paneer ka pani | - | - | - | - |
| White kidney beans | Chowly | Vellai karamani | Ven payar | Alasandalu | |
| Whole dried milk | Khoya, Mava | - | - | -- | - |
| Wood apple | Bhel | Vilampazham | Velagapandu | ||
| Yam | Suran | Chenai kizhangu | Chena | Kanda dumpa | Suvarnagadde |
I have tried to include most of the ingredients in everyday usage. I will keep adding more as and when I come across new names. If you know of any missing ingredient, do let me know. I Shall be happy to include.
Lots of time and effort have been put in creating this glossary from old cookbooks received with various products bought by me and google translate, so I would appreciate that you do not copy. Thanks!!!
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