GANDHI’S
Authentic Spices Since 1978
Our Story
Gandhi’s is a family-owned and run business in Zambia, owned by Vijay and Jaishree Gandhi, that has provided herbs and spices, Indian groceries, home-made snacks, essential oils and fireworks since 1978.
With over 150 available, Gandhi’s provides the most popular range of original and authentic spices both in-house and in leading supermarkets throughout the country.
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The Spices
Amazing Health Benefits
Spices and herbs have been in use for centuries both for culinary and medicinal purposes. Spices and herbs not only enhance the flavour, aroma, and colour of food and beverages, they can also protect from acute and chronic diseases and provide some incredible all-natural skin and hair benefits.
There is now ample evidence that spices and herbs possess antioxidant & anti-inflammatory, properties that affect cognition and mood. Skincare experts (and our grandmothers!) can attest to the simple, yet miraculous benefits that nature provides to maintain, improve and enhance our skin and hair.
You may have noticed that some herbs and spices are sold as supplements (oregano oil or capsules of cinnamon extract or garlic, for example). Unless your doctor recommends otherwise, dieticians say it’s best to eat the herb or spice instead of taking it in pill form.
Here are some of our most popular spices and the reported health benefits:
Cinnamon
Helps lower blood pressure.
Promotes weight loss.
Take 1 tsp with warm water daily.
Garlic
Detoxes bloodstream.
Helps with common cold.
Lowers cholesterol.
Promotes heart health.
Best when freshly crushed.
Ginger
Helps with digestion.
Relieves nausea.
Take 1 tsp with warm water daily.
Turmeric
Helps with digestion.
Reduces inflammation.
Promotes heart health.
Take 1 tsp with warm water or milk daily.
Basil
Fights ageing.
Helps with arthritis.
Helps with digestion.
Include in food.
Mint
Tames anxiety.
Calms indigestion.
Soothes tension headaches.
Include in food.
Rosemary
Fights against seasonal allergies.
Helps reduce inflammation.
Sage
Enhances memory.
Promotes brain health.
Improves attention & cognition.
Black Pepper
Promotes weight loss.
Helps digestion.
Helps relieve cough and cold.
Include in food.
Clove
Helps to relieve pain.
Helps with toothache & stomach pain.
Helps with insomnia.
Chew 1-2 cloves daily.
Cumin
Helps with weight loss.
Helps with skin disorders.
Helps with digestion.
Include with food.
Black Cumin
Helps with preventing asthma and allergies.
Helps to balance immune system.
Include with food.
Cardamom
Soothes upset stomach.
Fights inflammation.
High in magnesium and zinc.
Include with food.
Fenugreek
Improves digestion.
Helps new mothers.
Reduces inflammation.
Take 1 tsp soaked in water overnight daily
Fennel
Helps fight ageing.
Rich source of dietary fibre.
Chew 1 tsp after every meal.
Mustard Seeds
Lowers cholesterol.
Helps reduce pain.
Stimulates appetite.
Include with food.
You can download the full inventory list of spices to keep track of stock in your store or restaurant
The famous (but Secret) Recipe
Masala Tea
Masala tea, or “chai” as it’s known in South Asia, is a delicious drink made by boiling black tea in milk and water with a mixture of aromatic herbs and spices.
You can mix all the different spices yourself to create your own personal formula. You will need a base of ground ginger and green cardamom, then play with the different proportions of one or more other spices such as cinnamon, star anise, fennel seeds, peppercorn, nutmeg, cloves, cardamom seeds, ginger root, honey, or vanilla.
But if you haven’t got time, Mrs Gandhi has already mixed it for you. Add a healthy pinch of the spice mix per cup, sit back and enjoy the goodness.
Helps with digestion.
Lowers blood pressure.
Enhances energy.
Mrs Gandhi's Recipe Book
Free PDF Download
One of life’s greatest pleasures is sharing a meal made with love and care with friends and family. Cooking brings all of our senses alive. This recipe book is a collection of classic dishes that anyone can make at home.
The recipes are all vegetarian, healthy, and free of artificial flavours and preservatives. These recipes have been cooked and served at GANDHI’S for years and asked for repeatedly by customers, many of whom have become lifelong friends.
Remember to always use the freshest ingredients and best spices, all available at Gandhi’s. I have been mixing my own spice blends for years which provide the best balance of spices. I will share these spice blends with you or you can make your own!
I hope you enjoy making these dishes as much as I have enjoyed making them for you.
Mrs. Gandhi's Recipe Book
Send the download link to:
My Famous Bhel & Sev Puri
Available for collection on Saturdays
Bhel Puri
Bhel puri is a slightly sweet, spicy & sour tasting chaat snack made with puffed rice, chaat chutneys, veggies & Sev.
Pani Puri
Pani puri consists of a hollow puri, filled with a mixture of flavoured water, tamarind chutney, chilli powder, chaat masala, potato, onion or chickpeas.
Sev Puri
Sev puri is a spicy, sweet, tangy chaat snack from Mumbai and has become one of my most popular chaat recipes.
Lonely Planet - Africa
“Gandhis: Down a small alley is this delightful little piece of India. The indian spice shop serves delicious vegetarian meals (in thalli) on the veranda at lunch time. Despite its humble appearance, Gandhi’s has hosted European diplomats, African politicians, and Indian movie stars.”
Celebrate Any Occasion With
Fireworks
Make any event go off with a BANG with our wide range of rockets, spinners, bangers, fountains, roman candles and firecrackers!
Available all year round from our store on Cairo Road, Lusaka for all functions and celebrations, large and small.
Contact Us
Gandhi’s, Cairo Road, Next to Cairo Mall, Lusaka, Zambia
