List of Food Items

Food is the life of a human being. The production of food items varies area wise. In the world, there are infinite food items, and they are divided into different categories like vegetables, pulses, dairy items, fruits, beans etc. let's see these categories of food items in detail one by one.

A. Pulses and beans:

The pulses and beans are in dried form, so we can store them for a long time in a dried place. There are many pulses and beans available, let's see a few of them, which are mostly used.

1. Urad dal:

Urad dal is one type of pulse. In this dal, vitamin B and minerals like potassium, calcium, iron, sodium, magnesium, zinc, and phosphorus are present. The binominal name of urad dal is Vigna mungo. The family of urad dal is Fabaceae, and the genus is Vigna. The clade of urad dal is Tracheophytes, Angiosperms, Rosids, and the kingdom is Plantae. Its English name is the Black gram.

This dal is used for making the dal makhani, idli, multigrain khichdi, dosa, mixed dal, medu vada, radhaballavi, ladoo, and appe, etc.

2. Moong dal:

Moong dal is one type of pulse. In this dal, vitamin B, K, and potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, phosphorus, manganese minerals are present. The binominal name of moong dal is Vigna radiata. The family of moong dal is Fabaceae, and the genus is Vigna. The clade of moong dal is Eudicots, Rosids, Tracheophytes, and the kingdom is Plantae. Its English name is the Green gram.

This dal is used for making the cheela, payasam, dosa, halwa, khichdi, moong dal ladoo, dhokla, bhajiya, dal kachori, ram ladoo, turai ki sabzi, and masala khichdi, etc.

3. Toor dal:

Toor dal is one type of pulse. In this dal, vitamin A, B, and potassium, calcium, iron, sodium, magnesium, zinc, phosphorus, manganese minerals are present. The binominal name of toor dal is Cajanus cajan. The family of toor dal is Fabaceae, and the genus is Cajanus. The clade of toor dal is Rosids, Eudicots, Tracheophytes, and the kingdom is Plantae. Its English name is Pigeon peas.

This dal is used for making the dal fry, rasam, methi dal tadka, multigrain khichdi, saffron dal, and sambhar.

4. Kulthi:

Kulthi is one type of bean. In the kulthi vitamin B and phosphorus and iron minerals are present. The binominal name of kulthi is Macrotyloma uniflorum. The family of kulthi is Fabaceae, and the genus is Macrotyloma. The clade of kulthi is Tracheophytes, Rosids, Eudicots, and the kingdom is Plantae. Its English name is Horse Gram.

This kulthi is used for making the horse grain vada, soup, curries, horse grain upma, tikkis, lentil salad, and dal.

5. Moth bean:

Moth bean is one type of bean. In the moth bean, vitamin B, C, K, E, and calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium, sodium, potassium, and phosphorus minerals are present. The binominal name of moth beans is Vigna aconitifolia. The family of moth beans is Fabaceae, and the genus is Vigna. The clade of moth beans is Rosids, Angiosperms, Eudicots, and the kingdom is Plantae. Its English name is Dew bean.

These moth beans are used for making the sprouts salad, dry sabji, moth bean soup, and curry.

6. Wheat:

Wheat is one type of bean. In wheat, vitamin B and potassium, calcium, iron, sodium, magnesium, zinc, phosphorus, manganese minerals are present. The family of wheat is Poaceae, and the genus is Triticum. The clade of wheat is Commelinids, Monocots, Eudicots, Tracheophytes, and the kingdom is Plantae. The binominal name of wheat is Triticum.

Its species are Triticum aethiopicum, Triticum araraticum, Triticum carthlicum, Triticum compactum, Triticum zhukovskyi, Triticum Urartu, Triticum timopheevii, and Triticum polonium. The wheat flour is used for making chapati, noodles, poori, biscuits, bread, pasta, dosa, cake, halwa, paratha, muffins, cookies, and pastries.

7. Chota rajma:

Chota rajma is one type of bean. In the chota rajma, vitamin B, C, and calcium, zinc, copper, sodium, iron, selenium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus minerals are present. The binominal name of chota rajma is Vigna angularis. The family of chota rajma is Fabaceae, and the genus is Vigna. The clade of chota rajma is Fabales, Rosids, Eudicots, Tracheophytes, and the kingdom is Plantae. Its English name is Adzuki beans.

This chota rajma is used for making the adzuki bean brownies, curried adzuki bean, pumpkin adzuki bean curry, and adzuki bean chipotle soup.

8. Chana:

Chana is one type of bean. In the chana, vitamin B, C, E, K, and calcium, zinc, sodium, iron, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese minerals are present. The binominal name of chana is Cicer arietinum . The family of chana is Fabaceae, and the genus is Cicer. The clade of chana is Rosids, Eudicots, Tracheophytes, and the kingdom is Plantae. Its English name is Chickpea.

This chana is used for making chickpea curry, chickpea burgers, chickpea wraps, falafel, harira soup, and salad.

9. Bajra:

Bajra is one type of grain. In the bajra, vitamin B, C, K, and calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, zinc minerals are present. The binominal name of bajra is Cenchrus americanus. The family of bajra is Poaceae, and the genus is Cenchrus. The clade of bajra is Commelinids, Rosids, Eudicots, Tracheophytes, and the kingdom is Plantae. Its English name is Pearl millet.

This bajra is used for making the bajra pancake, bajra khichdi, rotla, and stuffed bajra roti.

10. Ragi:

Ragi is one type of grain. In the ragi, vitamin B, E, K, and calcium, sodium, manganese, phosphorus, zinc, magnesium, potassium, iron, minerals are present. The binominal name of ragi is Eleusine coracana. The family of ragi is Poaceae, and the genus is Eleusine. The clade of ragi is Rosids, Eudicots, Tracheophytes, and the kingdom is Plantae. Its English name is Finger millet.

This ragi is used for making ragi bread, ragi chakli, ambli, cookies, ragi malpua, roti, dosa, and ragi mudde.

B. Spices:

Spices are a very important food item; without spices, the dishes are incomplete because spices increase the aroma, flavour and taste of the dish. The most used spices are described below:

1. Turmeric:

Turmeric is one type of spice. It is used as a colour enhancer in food. The binominal name of turmeric is Curcuma longa. The family of turmeric is Zingiberaceae, and the genus is Curcuma. The clade of turmeric is Commelinids, Eudicots, Tracheophytes, and the kingdom is Plantae. Its other name is Curcuma domestica Valeton.

This turmeric is used in soups, curries, khichadi, marinade chicken, and turmeric tea. Its hindi name is Haldi.

2. Black pepper:

Black pepper is one type of spice. It is used to enhance the taste of food. The binominal name of black pepper is Piper nigrum. The family of black pepper is Piperaceae, and the genus is Piper. The clade of black pepper is Piperales, Magnoliids, Tracheophytes, and the kingdom is Plantae.

This black pepper is used in soups, fish, curries, stir-fries, vegetables, salad dressings, chicken and pasta. Its hindi name is Kali Mirch.

3. Nigella sativa:

Nigella sativa is one type of spice. The family of Nigella sativa is Ranunculaceae, and the genus is Nigella. The clade of Nigella sativa is Ranunculales, Angiosperms, Eudicots, Tracheophytes, and the kingdom is Plantae. Its other name is Nigella cretica Mill, Nigella truncata Viv and Nigella indica Roxb.

This nigella sativa is used in yoghurt, pilafs, pickles, curries, salads, vegetable dishes and salads.

4. Cardamom:

Cardamom is one type of spice. Cardamom is used to enhance the flavour of food, and it is mostly used in sweet food. The binominal name of cardamom is Elettaria cardamomum. The family of cardamom is Zingiberaceae, and the genus is Elettaria. The clade of cardamom is Tracheophytes, Angiosperms, Monocots, Commelinids, and the kingdom is Plantae. Its hindi name is Elaichi.

This cardamom is used in jalebi, puran-poli, kashmiri kawa, rabadi, biryani, peda, masala chai, cake, chicken curry and spiced rice.

5. Fennel seeds:

Fennel seeds are one type of spice. It is used to enhance the aroma of food. The binominal name of fennel seeds is Foeniculum vulgare. The family of fennel seeds is Apiaceae, and the genus is Foeniculum. The clade of fennel seeds is Asteroids, Angiosperms, Eudicots, Tracheophytes, and the kingdom is Plantae. Its hindi name is Saunf.

These fennel seeds are used in thandai, multi seeds mukhwas, mango pickal, dal, chutney, curry and dabeli malasa powder. In the fennel seeds, vitamin B, C, and calcium, potassium, iron, sodium, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, zinc minerals are present.

6. Curry Leaves:

Curry leaves are one type of spice. It is used for giving tadkas to dal and curry. The binominal name of curry leaves is Murraya koenigii. The family of curry leaves is Fabaceae Rutaceae, and the genus is Murraya. The clade of curry leaves is Rosids, Angiosperms, Eudicots, Tracheophytes, and the kingdom is Plantae.

These curry leaves are used in chutney, curd rice, Punjabi kadi, curry and rasam. Its hindi name is Kadi Patta.

7. Carom Seeds:

Carom seed is one type of spice. Carom seeds are used to enhance the flavour of food. The binominal name of the carom seed is Trachyspermum ammi. The family of carom seeds is Apiaceae, and the genus is Trachyspermum. The clade of carom seeds is Rosids, Angiosperms, Eudicots, Tracheophytes, and the kingdom is Plantae.

This carom seed is used in spiced fish, chutney, parathas, pakoda, dal bati, curry and fafda. Its hindi name is Ajwain.

8. Clove Bud:

Clove bud is one type of spice. It is used to increase the taste of food. The binominal name of clove bud is Syzygium aromaticum. The family of Myrtaceae clove bud is Fabaceae, and the genus is Syzygium. The clade of clove bud is Rosids, Angiosperms, Eudicots, Tracheophytes, and the kingdom is Plantae.

This clove bud is used in curries, dal, soups and meat dishes. Its hindi name is Laung.

9. Bay leaf:

Bay leaf is one type of spice. The binominal name of bay leaf is Laurus nobilis. The family of bay leaf is Lauraceae, and the genus is Laurus. The clade of the bay leaf is Magnoliids, Angiosperms, Laurales, Tracheophytes, and the kingdom is Plantae.

This bay leaf is used in masala rice, vegetable biryani, soup, chicken biryani and curry. Its hindi name is Tej Patta.

10. Tamarind:

Tamarind is one type of spice. The binominal name of tamarind is Tamarindus indica. The family of tamarind is Fabaceae, and the genus is Tamarindus. The clade of tamarind is Rosids, Angiosperms, Eudicots, Tracheophytes, and the kingdom is Plantae. Its hindi name is Imli.

This tamarind is used in sauces, tamarind chicken wings, marinades, chutneys, rice, drinks, and desserts. In the tamarind vitamin A, B, C, E, K and selenium, calcium, zinc, iron, potassium, magnesium, sodium, copper, phosphorus minerals are present.

11. Caraway:

Caraway is one type of spice. The binominal name of is Carum carvi. The family of caraway is Apiaceae, and the genus is Carum. The clade of caraway is Rosids, Angiosperms, Eudicots, Tracheophytes, and the kingdom is Plantae.

The caraway is used for making biscuits, meat dishes, pickles, cakes and stews. In the caraway, vitamin B, E, C, K and calcium, zinc, iron, potassium, magnesium, sodium, copper, phosphorus minerals are present.

C. Vegetables and Fruits:

Vegetables and fruits are nutritious food items. Fresh vegetables and fruit are good for human health. We can store them for a longer time. However, if fruits and vegetables are stored for a long time, then they get dried and not fit to eat. The popular vegetables and fruits are described below.

1. Spinach:

It is a green leafy vegetable. The binominal name of spinach is Spinacia oleracea. The family of spinach is Amaranthaceae, and the genus is Spinacia. The clade of spinach is Caryophyllales, Angiosperms, Eudicots, Tracheophytes, and the kingdom is Plantae. Its hindi name is Paalak.

The spinach is used for making the palak puree, gravy, palak paratha, palak pakoda, palak panner, soup, palak rice, kabab and chutney. In the spinach, vitamin B, C, E, K and calcium, zinc, iron, potassium, magnesium, sodium, copper, phosphorus minerals are present.

2. Chili pepper:

Chilli pepper is one type of fruit. Many times it is used to decorate the dish. The family of chilli pepper is Solanaceae, and the genus is Capsicum. The clade of chilli pepper is Rosids, Angiosperms, Eudicots, Tracheophytes, and the kingdom is Plantae. Its other name is Capsicum.

The chilli pepper is used for making the soya chilli, salad, noodles, sauce ? and paneer chilli. It has vitamin B, C and iron, magnesium, and potassium.

3. Fenugreek:

Fenugreek is a green leafy vegetable. The binominal name of fenugreek is Trigonella foenum-graecum. The family of fenugreek is Fabaceae, and the genus is Trigonella. The clade of fenugreek is Rosids, Angiosperms, Eudicots, Tracheophytes, and the kingdom is Plantae. Its hindi name is Methi.

The fenugreek is used for making the aloo methi, methi matar malai, methi paratha, methi muthia, thepla, methi pulao, methi dal, methi puri and methi paneer. In the fenugreek, vitamin B, C and calcium, zinc, iron, potassium, magnesium, sodium, phosphorus minerals are present.

4. Potato:

Potato is a type of root vegetable. It is mostly used food item and favourite vegetable of many people. The binominal name of potato is Solanum tuberosum . The family of potatoes is Solanaceae, and the genus is Solanum. The clade of potatoes is Rosids, Angiosperms, Eudicots, Tracheophytes, and the kingdom is Plantae. Its hindi name is Aloo.

The potato is used for making the aloo tikkis, sweetened potato chips, batata vada, ragda pattice, potato bread, potato chip, dabeli, bonda and aloo gobi, etc. In the potato, vitamin C, B, A, E, K and calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium, copper, sodium, phosphorus, zinc, manganese, selenium minerals are present.

5. Brinjal:

It is considered a vegetable, but it is actually a fruit. The binominal name of brinjal is Solanum melongena. The family of brinjal is Solanaceae, and the genus is Solanum. The clade of brinjal is Rosids, Angiosperms, Eudicots, Tracheophytes, and the kingdom is Plantae. Its hindi name is baigan.

The brinjal is used for making the baingan ka bharta, stuffed aubergines, brinjal curry, brinjal sambhar, begun bhaja, eggplant parmigiana, brinjal chutney and baingan masala. In the brinjal, vitamin C, B, E, K and calcium, zinc, iron, potassium, magnesium, sodium, phosphorus minerals are present.

6. Carrot:

Carrot is one type of root vegetable. The binominal name of carrot is Daucus carota subsp sativus. The family of carrots is Apiaceae, and the genus is Daucus. The clade of carrots is Rosids, Angiosperms, Eudicots, Tracheophytes, and the kingdom is Plantae. Its hindi name is Gajar.

The carrot is used for making the carrot bread, sweet halwa, rice pulav, carrot cake cookie, chips, salad, soup and juice. In the carrot, vitamin B, C, E, K and calcium, zinc, iron, potassium, magnesium, sodium, phosphorus minerals are present.

7. Ladyfinger:

Ladyfinger is one type of vegetable. The binominal name of the ladyfinger is Abelmoschus esculentus. The family of ladyfinger is Malvaceae, and the genus is Abelmoschus. The clade of a lady's finger is Rosids, Angiosperms, Eudicots, Tracheophytes, Malvales, and the kingdom is Plantae. Its hindi name is Bhindi.

The ladyfinger is used for making the bhindi masala, dry bhindi sabji, bhindi fry, bharwa bhindi, bhindi rice, bendakaya curry, bhindi ka salan and bhindi bhajiya. In the ladyfinger, vitamin A, C, B, K and potassium, calcium, zinc, phosphorus, iron, magnesium minerals are present.

8. Bitter gourd:

Bitter gourd is one type of vegetable. This vegetable is bitter in taste. The binominal name of bitter gourd is Momordica charantia. The family of bitter gourd is Cucurbitaceae, and the genus is Momordica. The clade of bitter gourd is Rosids, Angiosperms, Eudicots, Tracheophytes, and the kingdom is Plantae. Its hindi name is Karela.

The bitter gourd is used for making the karela parathas, karela kadhi, masala kareka, fry karela and kareka tikkis. In the bitter gourd, vitamin B, C, E, K and potassium, calcium, zinc, phosphorus, iron, magnesium, sodium, manganese minerals are present.

9. Maize:

Maize is one type of vegetable. The binominal name of maize is Zea mays. The family of maize is Poaceae, and the genus is Zea. The clade of maize is Commelinids, Angiosperms, Eudicots, Tracheophytes, and the kingdom is Plantae. Its hindi name is Makka.

The maize is used for making the corn chip, corn dog, cornick and corn nuts. In the maize, vitamin B, C and magnesium, iron, phosphorus, manganese, potassium, zinc minerals are present.

10. Luffa:

Luffa is one type of vegetable. This vegetable comes on the vine. The tribe of luffa is Sicyoeae. The family of luffa is Cucurbitaceae, and the genus is Luffa. The clade of luffa is Rosids, Angiosperms, Eudicots, Tracheophytes, and the kingdom is Plantae.

Its hindi name is Torai. The luffa is used for making the dry sabji and curry.

11. Lemon:

Lemon is one type of fruit. The binominal name of lemon is Citrus limon. The family of lemon is Rutaceae, and the genus is Citrus. The clade of lemon is Rosids, Angiosperms, Eudicots, Tracheophytes, and the kingdom is Plantae. Its hindi name is nimbu.

The lemon is used with every dish to increase flavour and make juice. In the lemon, vitamin B, C and calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, manganese, potassium, zinc minerals are present.

12. Round gourd:

The round gourd is a type of vegetable. The binominal name of Round gourd is Praecitrullus fistulosus. The family of the round gourd is Cucurbitaceae, and the genus is Praecitrullus. The clade of the round gourd is Rosids, Angiosperms, Eudicots, Tracheophytes, and the kingdom is Plantae.

Its hindi name is Tinda. The round gourd is used for making the tinda masala, bhrawa tinda and dry thinda.

13. Tomato:

It is considered a vegetable, but it is actually a fruit. The binominal name of tomato is Solanum Lycopersicum. The family of tomatoes is Solanaceae, and the genus is Solanum. The clade of tomato is Rosids, Angiosperms, Eudicots, Tracheophytes, and the kingdom is Plantae. Its hindi name is Tamatar.

The tomato is used for making the curry, chutney, sauce, salad, soup, rice, dal, tomato pie and rasam. In the tomato, vitamin B, C, E, K and manganese, phosphorus, magnesium, and potassium minerals are present.

14. Cucumber:

Cucumber is one type of fruit. It is mostly used in salad. The binominal name of cucumber is Cucumis sativus. The family of cucumber is Cucurbitaceae, and the genus is Cucumis. The clade of cucumber is Rosids, Angiosperms, Eudicots, Tracheophytes, and the kingdom is Plantae. Its Hindi name is Kheera.

The cucumber is used for making the kheera pakode, soup, salad, pulissery and a cold drink. In the cucumber, vitamins B, C, K and minerals are present.