Garam Masala Powder

Indian cuisine cannot be imagined without the inclusion of spices. Spices are the soul of any authentic Indian food and the reason for its worldwide acclaim.

A quintessential ingredient to prepare Indian delicacies, garam masala powder is a harmonious blend of spices that impart a spicy and robust flavor to various dishes and amplify their delectability.

Every Indian household has its recipe for garam masala powder customized according to their taste and liking. With a bit of variation in the combination and quantities of the spices, it results in different flavors.

And the garam masala mix prepared at home is considered far better than those available in the market. Besides infusing the dishes with flavor and aroma, garam masala is also known to be beneficial for the body and health in the following ways —

• Boosts digestion and the entire body’s metabolism.
• Full of antioxidants that help fight inflammation.
• The unique blend of spices helps in preventing bloating, flatulence, and nausea.

What is Garam Masala Powder

Garam Masala is a full-flavored and aromatic blend of freshly ground spices used widely in authentic Indian dishes. ‘Garam‘ in Hindi means ‘hot’ or ‘warming,’ and ‘masala‘ means a ‘blend’ or ‘mix’ of spices.

Collectively the term ‘garam masala’ means a warming spice blend. 

These spices carry intense, smoky, hot, and fragrant flavors that form the very essence of authentic Indian cuisine. A little addition of this spice mix elevates the taste and delectability of a dish.

Garam masala has variations in its ingredients depending on the region. However, no matter how much it differs, each variant takes the dishes to a whole new level that entices the food connoisseurs and amateurs alike!

Reasons You’ll ♡ this Garam Masala Recipe

As stated above, Garam masala is a jamboree of spices with many exquisite flavors like earthy, woody, floral, hot, and fragrant flavors and aromas. This authentic garam masala blend will indeed find its admirer in you for varied reasons — 

• It’s better than a store-bought one.
• Highly aromatic and brilliantly flavorful.
• Hygienically prepared at home.
• Gives any dish an instant kick.
• Can be made in a big batch and stored.

Just a pinch of garam masala on your soup, curry, or even roasted veg or non-veg dish, and you can quickly tell what divine flavors you were introduced to!

The best part, it can be customized according to one’s taste and preference by bringing variation in the spices’ combination and quantities.

Ingredient list for Garam Masala Powder

The garam masala comprises whole spices like coriander seeds, cumin seeds, black and green cardamoms, and other spices. These spices are dry-roasted and ground together to prepare a fine powder.

Coriander seeds (sukha dhaniya) — This spice form the base ingredient of the garam masala mix and lend volume to the dishes it is added to. Its subtle woody and citrusy flavors help balance the pungency of other strong spices in the mix. Coriander seeds aid digestion and help in conditions like acidity, bloating, and flatulence.

Cumin seeds (Jeera) — Rendering a unique earthy and musky aroma and an intense warming flavor, cumin seeds are also known to aid digestion and help detoxify the body.

Cinnamon (Dalchini) — Cinnamon has a distinctly sweet flavor and a unique aroma that helps stews and curries perk up in taste.

Whole black cardamoms (Moti elaichi) — It has a very intense and smoky aroma and a strong flavor that enhances the overall flavor of garam masala.

Black Peppercorns (Sabut kali mirch) — Black peppercorns add a smoky and intense flavor to the masala while adding more heat and depth to the dishes.

Green Cardamoms (Hari elaichi) — With their fresh floral aroma and refreshingly sweet flavor, green cardamoms are known to help digestion and zest up the recipes.

Nutmeg Powder ( Jaiful) — This spice, noted for its nutty flavor and delicate aroma, is added for its magical zing. It is known to help improve blood circulation and the nervous system.

Mace (Javitri) — It is a flower spice that gives a subtly sweet and woody flavor and a strong aroma.

Bay Leaves (Tej Patta) — True to its name, tej patta, which means savory leaf, this spice gives a distinctive aroma to the dishes.

Star Anise — Also known as biryani flower, star anise is used in garam masala for its unique sweet flavor that elevates the piquancy of the garam masala mix.

Cloves (Laung) — Clove is a warming spice with a very pungent and robust flavor. Although it is suitable for improved metabolism, it should always be used in a moderate quantity.

Black cumin seeds (Kala jeera) — Known as the ancient spice, black cumin has a nutty and rich taste. It has many health benefits and a uniquely distinctive flavor.

How to make Garam Masala Powder

Don’t let the long list of ingredients and the steps-to-make-this-Homemade Garam Masala Powder deter you from trying this recipe.

Dry roast whole spices — Combine the spices (listed under whole spices) in a skillet and dry-roast over medium-low heat, stirring frequently until they smell toasty fragrant and slightly dark in color.

This will take about 8-10 minutes over medium heat. Take it off the heat and set them aside to cool.

Grind the whole spices — Transfer the completely cooled roasted spices to a blender and blend until the whole spices turn into a fine, smooth powder.

Assemble — Combine nutmeg powder with the powdered whole spice blend and mix until well combined. Now, transfer this Garam masala mix through a fine strainer. Sift the garam masala mixture through the fine sieve and discard what’s left in the strainer.

Versatile masala mix — Homemade Garam masala powder can prepare various unique Indian dishes ranging from veggies, paneer, tofu, and non-veg.

Expert Tips and Variations

Other spices can be added — You may add whole dry red chilies and black stone flowers (dagad ke phool) to your garam masala mix to enhance flavor and hotness.

Dry roast the spices — Dry roasting is imperative to release essential oils and aroma. But this needs to be done on a low, medium flame so that the spices don’t burn. While dry roasting, make sure to keep stirring continuously so that the spices roast evenly and just right.

Do not over-roast the spices — Over-roasting will dry out the flavorsome essential oils that are released from the spices and may even burn the spices. Burnt spices will turn bitter and spoil the whole recipe.

Roasted spices are easier to grind — When roasted and cooled completely, the spices tend to get crispier and easier to grind.

Sun-dry instead of dry-roasting — You may even sun-dry the spices as an alternative to dry-roasting. Sun-drying also brings out the lovely aroma of the hidden oils (essential oils), which elevates the flavor when the spices are pulsed.

Use garam masala in a moderate quantity — Spices used in Homemade garam masala powder are warming spices, so they should be consumed in moderation. Consuming more may result in adverse effects on health and the body (acidity and flatulence).

Clean all the spices before roasting — The spices may have debris or stones which have to be removed before grinding. Discard the spice if it has worms and get some fresh ones. Clean the cinnamon and bay leaves that may have mud or fungi deposits on them.

Use fresh spices only — Always use fresh spices for the most aromatic and flavorsome garam masala powder. Also, ensure that the spices being used are free from mold and insects.

Follow the right proportion of spices —The right combination and quantity of spices are essential to prepare the best garam masala powder. You may end up with a more savory or acidic masala blend if you use more of certain spices.

Besides spoiling the flavor, such garam masala is also not good for digestion and may cause acidity or other health-related problems. Therefore, a well-balanced amount of each spice is imperative for a perfect blend.

Let me know what you think!

So, let’s begin with preparing the authentic Indian seasoning blend that will take your dishes to another level by harmonizing their aroma and flavors to perfection.

Should you make this homemade garam masala powder, please let me know your thoughts by sharing your comment below. And don’t forget to share it with your family and friends.

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