If you’re passionate about Indian cooking, you’ve definitely come across the term Garam Masala. But what exactly goes into this fragrant, flavorful spice blend?
This post gives you the full Garam Masala Indian spices list with names, their Hindi translations, and their culinary and health benefits.
ЁЯзВ What is Garam Masala?
Garam Masala is a traditional Indian spice blend made by dry-roasting and grinding a mix of whole spices. The word “Garam” means hot and “Masala” means spice mix, but it doesnтАЩt necessarily mean spicyтАФit refers to the warming effect it has on the body as per Ayurveda.
ЁЯМЯ Common Garam Masala Indian Spices List (with Hindi Names)
Spice (English) | Hindi Name | Use in Garam Masala |
---|---|---|
Cumin Seeds | рдЬреАрд░рд╛ (Jeera) | Base flavor, earthy aroma |
Coriander Seeds | рдзрдирд┐рдпрд╛ (Dhaniya) | Citrus notes, balances heat |
Black Pepper | рдХрд╛рд▓реА рдорд┐рд░реНрдЪ (Kali Mirch) | Adds mild spiciness |
Cloves | рд▓реМрдВрдЧ (Laung) | Strong flavor, antiseptic properties |
Cinnamon | рджрд╛рд▓рдЪреАрдиреА (Dalchini) | Sweet and woody warmth |
Cardamom (Green) | рд╣рд░реА рдЗрд▓рд╛рдпрдЪреА (Elaichi) | Refreshing, floral taste |
Cardamom (Black) | рдмрдбрд╝реА рдЗрд▓рд╛рдпрдЪреА (Badi Elaichi) | Smoky, deep flavor |
Bay Leaf | рддреЗрдЬ рдкрддреНрддрд╛ (Tej Patta) | Aroma and bitterness |
Mace | рдЬрд╛рд╡рд┐рддреНрд░реА (Javitri) | Sweet-spicy, mild nutmeg notes |
Nutmeg | рдЬрд╛рдпрдлрд▓ (Jaiphal) | Adds depth and warmth |
Star Anise | рдЪрдХреНрд░ рдлреВрд▓ (Chakra Phool) | Licorice flavor, aromatic |
Fennel Seeds | рд╕реМрдВрдл (Saunf) | Mild sweetness, digestive |
ЁЯФе Every household or region in India may tweak the recipe. Some include dry ginger (рд╕реМрдВрда), mustard seeds (рд╕рд░рд╕реЛрдВ) or even kasuri methi!
ЁЯУМ How is Garam Masala Used in Cooking?
- Added toward the end of cooking to preserve aroma
- Essential in curries, lentils (dal), biryanis, and sabzis
- Can be used as a marinade mix for paneer, chicken, or mutton
- A small pinch goes a long wayтАФtoo much can overpower a dish
ЁЯУе Bonus: Download PDF тАУ 40 Indian Spices with Uses
Want a full guide of 40 Indian spices including Garam Masala components?
ЁЯУО Click here to download your free PDF
тЭУ People Also Ask
ЁЯФ╣ What spices are included in Garam Masala?
Garam Masala typically includes cumin, coriander, cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, mace, bay leaf, and black pepper. Each region or household has its own unique version.
ЁЯФ╣ What are the 40 Indian spices and their uses?
India is home to more than 40 essential spices. From turmeric (haldi) and asafoetida (hing) to ajwain, each has unique uses and health benefits. View the full list in our Indian Spices Blog Post.
ЁЯФ╣ Is Garam Masala a 5 spice?
No. Garam Masala is usually made from 8тАУ12 spices.
The term тАЬ5-spiceтАЭ is commonly used in Chinese cuisine, not Indian.
ЁЯФ╣ рдЧрд░рдо рдорд╕рд╛рд▓рд╛ рд╣рд╛ рел рдорд╕рд╛рд▓рд╛ рдЖрд╣реЗ рдХрд╛?
рдирд╛рд╣реА. рдЧрд░рдо рдорд╕рд╛рд▓реНрдпрд╛рдд рео рддреЗ резреи рд╡реЗрдЧрд╡реЗрдЧрд│реЗ рдорд╕рд╛рд▓реЗ рдЕрд╕рддрд╛рдд. рел рдорд╕рд╛рд▓реНрдпрд╛рдВрдЪрд╛ рд╡рд╛рдкрд░ рдореБрдЦреНрдпрддрдГ рдЪрд╛рдпрдиреАрдЬ рдкрджреНрдзрддреАрдд рдХреЗрд▓рд╛ рдЬрд╛рддреЛ.
ЁЯФ╣ рднрд╛рд░рддреАрдп рдорд╕рд╛рд▓реНрдпрд╛рдд рдХреЛрдгрддреЗ рдорд╕рд╛рд▓реЗ рдЕрд╕рддрд╛рдд?
рднрд╛рд░рддреАрдп рдорд╕рд╛рд▓реНрдпрд╛рдВрдордзреНрдпреЗ рд╣рд│рдж, рдорд┐рд░рдЪреА рдкреВрдб, рдЬрд┐рд░реЗ, рдзрдиреЗ, рджрд╛рд▓рдЪреАрдиреА, рд▓рд╡рдВрдЧ, рд╡реЗрд▓рджреЛрдбрд╛, рд╣рд┐рдВрдЧ рдЖрдгрд┐ рдореЗрдереА рд╕рд╛рд░рдЦреНрдпрд╛ рдорд╕рд╛рд▓реНрдпрд╛рдВрдЪрд╛ рд╕рдорд╛рд╡реЗрд╢ рдЕрд╕рддреЛ.
ЁЯТб Tips to Make Garam Masala at Home
- Dry roast each spice separately on low flame
- Cool them completely before grinding
- Store in an airtight glass jar
- Make in small batches every month for freshness