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What is Curry Powder and Garam Masala?
Curry powder is blend of savory spices that are added at the beginning cooking curries. The blend varies from region to region, vegetable to vegetable, and meat to meats. Most common of all the spices are Cumin, Coriander, Turmeric, Fenugreek, and dried ginger.
- Coriander is a must in curry powder. It has mild, slightly sweet, orange-like flavor. It acts like an emulsifier. Fresh leaves (Cilantro) are aromatic and used as garnish
- Cumin is aromatic, pungent, sharp bitter flavor. Combination of coriander and cumin gives the curry it's basic pungent smell
- Fenugreek has a mild pungent aroma, with bitter flavor with a hint of celery. Fresh Fenugreek leaves (Methi) is used like any greens such as spinach. Dried Fenugreek leaves are called Kasoori Patta and used as dried herb
- Ginger has a warm citrus-like aroma and hot flavor with a bite. For depth, fresh ginger is also used in curries along with dried ginger.
- Turmeric has a yellow color and light bitter flavor. Turmeric gives the curry its yellow character tic color
Garam In Hindi means Hot, and Masala means blended spices. However, Garam for Garam Masala means warm aromatic spices. So the Garam Masala is a blend of warm savory aromatic spices that are added near the end or at the end of cooking curries. The blend varies from region to region and recipe to recipe. Most common of all the spices are Cinnamon, Cloves, Cardamom, Nutmeg. and Black Pepper
- Cassia is similar to cinnamon. Cassia is more intense than Cinnamon, but harder and woodier. In India Cassia is used to make Garam Masala. In United States, the ground Cinnamon is actually made by grinding Cassia
- Cardamoms: There are black and green cardamoms. The black cardamom is 4 times bigger than the green variety. Both cardamoms have sweet aroma. Green cardamom are more aromatic than black one. Black cardamoms are used in making Garam Masala.
- Cloves have warm aroma with bitter taste. After saffron, Cloves are the most expensive spice.
- Nutmeg has a sweet warm aroma with hint of camphor. The aroma is warm bitter sweet with a hint of cloves. Unfortunately, the flavor dissipates quickly.