Spices
Garam Masala
Indian vegetable or meat dishes often include garam masala for seasoning. In Northern Indian cuisine, garam masala is typically in powder form, while in the southern part of the country, garam masala is often formed into a paste with coconut milk, vinegar, or water. It is made year-round. Garam masala sometimes used on its own, but it can be mixed with other seasonings as well.
What Is Garam Masala?
Garam masala is a blend of ground spices used extensively in Indian cuisine. The spices for garam masala are usually toasted to bring out more flavor and aroma, and then ground. The word masala simply means “spices,” and garam means “hot.” However, garam masala doesn’t necessarily constitute a particularly spicy blend. The powdered form is typically gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian, while you will need to check the label for garam masala paste to see what is included.
Varieties of Garam Masala
There is no single garam masala recipe. The ingredients differ according to the region as well as each chef’s individual preferences. Garam masala from Northern India, including the Punjab region, often has only black pepper for a hot element and mostly focuses on aromatic and sweet spices. This garam masala will be quite mild, and any heat in the dish will come from adding hot peppers.
The farther south you go in India, the hotter the garam masala is likely to be as red chiles are likely to be part of the blend. The spices also change, based on what is more common locally.
Recipes are not only regional but also passed down through families. Learning to mix spices (to be a masalchi) is a matter of pride in India, and each cook strives to make the best garam masala blend.
Origins
Garam masala is believed to have originated in Northern Indian cuisine, where it is especially found in traditional Mughal dishes. In Ayurvedic medicine, the spices in garam masala are warming1, meaning that they increase the metabolism (rather than being hot in flavor). Northern India has more areas that have cold seasons, so warming spices are welcome. Garam masala spread throughout the Indian subcontinent and as far west as present-day Iran.
What Is It Made Of?
If you are buying garam masala, you will need to read the ingredients in order to determine which spices are is included.
Garam masala will usually consist of:
- Coriander
- Cumin
- Cardamom
- Cloves
- Black pepper
- Cinnamon (or cassia)
- Nutmeg
In variations on garam masala, ingredients may include turmeric, saffron, fennel seeds, ginger, garlic, mustard seeds, mace, star anise, tamarind, fenugreek, bay leaves, Malabar leaves, or dried red chiles.
What Does It Taste Like?
Garam masala adds warmth, sweetness, floral notes, and a touch of heat from the black pepper. It is intended to be a fragrant spice as well as flavorful. While cumin, coriander, and turmeric may remind you of curry, garam masala is generally not firey hot.
Cooking With Garam Masala
Garam masala is usually added near the end of cooking so that it not only seasons the dish but adds to the aroma. Some additional garam masala may also be sprinkled on top of the dish. Traditionally, garam masala is made fresh from the component spices and used within a few days. It is often not the only spice and seasoning used in a dish.
Substitutions
As garam masala simply means “spices with varying levels of heat,” you have a lot of leeway when it comes to mixing up your own garam masala, or if you need a substitute when preparing an Indian dish. You can check the ingredient list for any recipe and mix it up with the spices you already have on hand. Try varying your garam masala recipe until you find the spice combination you like best.