There are several types of Garam Masala available in India that differ from each other in terms of their ingredients, flavor and aroma. These include the different regions of India: North Indian Garam Masala, South Indian Garam Masala, Bengali Garam Masala or Lucknowi or Hyderabadi Garam Masala.
The spices used in these various types of Garam Masala are quite similar to each other but they do vary slightly depending on the region they are produced in. Most commonly used spices in a garam masala include black cumin seeds, red chillies, cloves, cinnamon and cardamom.
You can also make your own homemade garam masala by buying the different spices separately and then grinding them all together at home. The advantage of doing this is that you can adjust the quantity of certain spices according to your taste and liking.
Garam masala is usually added to dishes at the very end of cooking after all the vegetables have been cooked through. This is done because most spices lose their flavor if cooked for too long.
India is a country of diversity and hence you get to see the diversity in every single thing that it has to offer. The cuisine of India is also not an exception to this fact. There are various types of cuisines available in India but most of them have the same spices. The spices are the one that makes Indian food delicious, spicy, hot and a lot more than what it seems to be.
One of the most important spices that are used while cooking Indian food is Garam Masala. This powder is actually a mixture of many different types of powders mixed together in a specific ratio. This saves time as well as effort as you do not need to make all these powders separately and then mix them together in perfect quantity.
The Garam Masala powder is available off the shelf in the market and there are various brands available for your convenience. However, if you want to just make it at home then you can do that too by getting the individual ingredients from any grocery store or supermarket and then grinding them together at home with your own grinder.
The Garam Masala powder that is available in stores comes in many varieties depending on the different regions where they are made.
The word garam masala means ‘hot spices’ and is a blend of ground spices used extensively in Indian cooking. It is often added to curries, soups and other dishes at the end of preparation or near completion to preserve the fresh taste and aroma of the spices.
The composition of garam masala varies according to regional and personal taste but most blends will include some combination of black peppercorns, cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, coriander seeds, cumin seeds and chillies.
Some people also use star anise in their garam masala mix but I find this gives the final dish an overpowering liquorice flavour so prefer not to include it. I also recommend you try to stick with whole spices for making your own garam masala as opposed to pre-ground store bought versions because there is no comparison in taste or aroma. Once prepared your homemade masala should keep for at least six months if stored well in a dark cupboard away from direct sunlight.
Garam Masala is a mixture of spices. It is used in Indian cooking as a flavouring agent. The term garam masala refers to the mixture of spices while garam means hot and masala means spice mix. The spices used in the mix are usually toasted to bring out its flavours and aroma.
In its simplest form, Garam Masala is nothing but a combination of ground spices used in Indian cooking that may include black peppercorns, mace, cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg and bay leaves.
The different types of garam masala available in India are:
Garam masala: Rajasthani Garam Masala
The cuisine of Rajasthan is very subtle and delicate. This means that the spices used in their food are also very subtle. Pepper powder is not used at all in their cuisine. Rajasthani Garam Masala is made by roasting whole coriander seeds and cumin seeds on a slow fire till they turn dark brown and then grinding them into powder along with cardamom pods, clove buds, cinnamon sticks and green chillies.
Garam masala: Punjabi Garam Masala
Punjabi Garam Masala is also
Garam Masala is a blend of ground spices used in preparing Indian cuisine. It is used alone or with other seasonings.
If you want to make the masala at home, dry roast the spices and then grind. The traditional way of making garam masala (and other Indian spice mixes) is to dry roast the spices first. This step is particularly important if you are using whole spices (coriander, cumin etc). Dry roasting enhances their flavor by releasing essential oils. It also removes any moisture from the spices, which could cause your masala to go stale faster. You can either dry roast the spices on a skillet over low heat or toast them in the oven (at 250 degrees F for 10-15 minutes). Allow the roasted ingredients to cool completely and then grind them in a coffee grinder or using a mortar and pestle until you have a fine powder. Do not use hot spices for grinding, because they will make your masala pasty. Store garam masala in an airtight container away from sunlight and use within 6 months.
Most Indian households have their own unique blends of garam masala. How is it different from curry powder? The answer is that there is no one set recipe for garam masala. It varies from region to region and from household to household. There are some rules, if you will, that make a spice blend a garam masala rather than a curry powder.
The word garam means hot, and masala refers to spice mix. It is made up of spices that are believed to have heating properties and aid digestion – cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, cumin, coriander seed and black pepper. These spices are usually used whole and then roasted and ground together. Some recipes include dried chilies as well (a hot spice!).
Garam Masala has a sweet-spicy flavor with the aroma of roasted spices in the background. Use it in moderation because it’s quite pungent.
Garam masala is a blend of ground spices common in India, Pakistan, and other South Asian cuisines. It is used alone or with other seasonings. The word garam refers to “heating the body” in the Ayurvedic sense of the word, as these spices are believed to elevate body temperature in Ayurvedic medicine.
The composition of garam masala differs regionally, with many recipes across India according to regional and personal taste, and none is considered more authentic than others. The components of the mix are toasted, then ground together. In some recipes, ingredients including nuts, onions, or garlic may be added. Some recipes also call for small quantities of star anise, asafoetida, chili, stone flower, and kababchini (cubeb). The flavours may be carefully blended to achieve a balanced effect, or a single flavour may be emphasized. A masala may be toasted before use to release its flavours and aromas.
Garam masala is used almost exclusively in savory dishes; no Indian dessert uses this spice mix. Generally it is added at the end of cooking so that the full fragrance is not lost; however some recipes call for earlier addition with the result that
