Myrtle. Usually the bitter fresh or dried leaves of the plant are used, although the berry fruits are used as a subsitute for black pepper. The aroma of the leaves is sweetly pungent and it is used as the basis of many perfumes.
Indian shad or hilsa, a favoured freshwater fish which migrates into the rivers of the Bay of Bengal.
Long pepper. They are tiny berries which cleave to a single rod which looks similar to a dried catkin and provide a hot, sweet spice.
Sponge gourd. Smooth gourd. When it is old it becomes coarse and fibrous and is actually the loofah you use in the bath. However, it is eaten throughout Asia. It resembles a cucumber when it is young and needs to be salted to reduce the bitterness before use.
