Every week we head up north on highway NH17 from Nerul to Mapusa to go to the market. It takes us about 25 minutes as we wind our way through the city of Povorim. We like to go during the week and avoid the famous Mapusa Friday market day as it is very hectic and busy for us. However, if you have never been it is a must as unusual stalls appear that sell antiques and curios.
Mapusa market sells fruits, vegetables, nuts, dried fruit, spices, clothes, 'lamba jaroo's' (brooms), fabric, stainless steel utensils, tawa's (iron made flat pan like a griddle to make roti (flat bread), flowers, lentils and rice as well as furniture, kitchenware and just about anything really.
Prices in the market may vary by a few paise due to the difference in the quality of the product or just because the vendor hopes to make some extra cash from a tourist. In India, I find that there are more and more shops that have fixed prices and so shopping has become easier. Lot's of people still bargain with shopkeepers and find that this is part of the shopping experience.
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| Dried Prawn |
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| Chicks |
The market also has some cafes to sit down and get some tea and snacks or cold drinks. There is also a fresh juice vendor that sells fresh juices and his stall is always busy. The market also has some coolies who will help carry your basket and bags. Many stalls close down at 1:00PM for lunch but then open up around 2:00PM or 3:00PM.
Glossary of common market items to help you shop and cook in India
| Glossary Of Pulses: |
| English Name | Indian / Hindi Name |
| Beaten Rice | Poha |
| Bengal Gram | Chana |
| Black Gram Sabut | Urad Dal / Kaali Dal |
| Black Eyed Beans | Chawli / Lobhia |
| Broken Wheat | Dalia |
| Chickpeas (brown) | Chana |
| Chickpeas (green) | Cholia / Hara Chana |
| Chickpeas (white) | Kabuli Chana |
| Gram Flour | Besan / Chane Ka Atta |
| Green Gram | Moong |
| Horse Gram | Kulthi |
| Maize Flour | Makai Ka Atta |
| Puffed Rice | Kurmura |
| Red Kidney Beans | Rajma |
| Red Lentil | Masoor |
| Refined Flour | Maida |
| Rice | Chawal |
| Semolina | Rava / Suji |
| Split Bengal Gram | Chana Dal |
| Split Black Gram | Urad Dal / Kaali Dal |
| Split Green Gram | Moong Dal |
| Split Red Gram | Tuvar Dal / Arhar Dal |
| Split Red Lentil | Masoor Dal |
| Wheat | Gehun |
| Wheat Flour | Gehun Ka Atta |
| Indian Names For Spices, Fruits, Dairy Products and Their Categories: |
| Common Indian Names | English Names | Category |
| Adrak / Sonth | Ginger | Spices |
| Ajwain | Carom Seeds / Thyme | Spices |
| Amchoor | Dried Mango Powder | Masala |
| Anaar Dana (Powder) | Pomegranate Seeds (Dried) | Masala |
| Angoor | Grapes | Fruit |
| Atta | Wheat Flour | Flour |
| Badam | Almond | Dry Fruit |
| Besan | Gram Flour | Flour |
| Bhutta | Corn Cobs | Vegetable |
| Chana | Bengal Gram | Pulses |
| Chana Dal | Gram Dal | Pulses |
| Chikoo | Sapota | Fruit |
| Chhuara | Dates (Dried) | Dry Fruit |
| Dahi | Curd | Dairy Product |
| Dalchini | Cinnamon | Spices |
| Dhania Patta | Coriander Leaves | Vegetable |
| Dhania Powder | Coriander Powder | Masala |
| Elaichi (Chhoti) | Green Cardamom | Spices |
| Elaichi (Moti) | Brown Cardamom | Spices |
| Ghee | Clarified Butter | Dairy Product |
| Hari Mirch | Green Chilly | Vegetable |
| Hing | Asafetida | Spices |
| Imli | Tamarind | General |
| Jaiphal | Nutmeg | Seeds |
| Javitri | Mace | Spices |
| Jeera | Cumin Seed | Seeds |
| Kaju | Cashew Nut | Dry Fruit |
| Kala Jeera / Black Cumin Seeds | Caraway Seeds | Seeds |
| Kala Namak | Rock Salt | Masala |
| Kali Mirch | Black Pepper | Spices |
| Kari Patta | Curry Leaves | Herb |
| Kheera | Cucumber | Vegetable |
| Khoya, Mawa | Dried Whole Milk/Thickened Milk | Dairy Product |
| Kishmish | Currants | Dry Fruit |
| Lasan / Lahsun | Garlic | Spices |
| Laung | Clove | Spices |
| Maida | Fine Wheat Flour | Cereal |
| Malai | Cream | Milk Fat |
| Mattha (Chhaach) | Butter Milk | Dairy Product |
| Methi | Fenugreek Seeds | Seeds |
| Mirch | Chilly | Vegetable |
| Moong Fali | Groundnut | Dry Fruits |
| Nimboo ka Sat | Citric Acid | Acid |
| Paneer | Cottage Cheese | Dairy Product |
| Patta Gobi | Cabbage | Vegetable |
| Paav / Pav / Pao | Bun | Cereal |
| Phitkari | Alum | General |
| Phool Gobi | Cauliflower | Vegetable |
| Poha, Chiwda | Flaked, Beaten rice | Cereal |
| Pudina Leaves | Mint Leaves | Vegetables |
| Raai / Raee | Mustard Seeds (Small) | Spices |
| Saboodana / Sabudana | Sago | General |
| Sarson | Mustard Seeds (Moti) | Spices |
| Saunf | Aniseed | Seeds |
| Shimla Mirch | Capsicum | Vegetable |
| Tadka | Seasoning | Cooking Process |
| Tej Patta | Bay Leaf | Herb |
| Urad Dal | Horse Bean | Pulses |
