Spice Advice: Garam Masala

Aromatic, warm, and fierce. Our Garam Masala comes from our founder & chef Meherwan Irani's family recipe—passed down through generation after generation. Just as with Irani’s family, Garam Masala is often passed down within Indian families. The recipes, in return, tend to vary according to families more so than by region.

Said to have originated in Northern India, this quintessential Indian blend translates to “hot spices.” Despite what the translation might lead you to believe, Garam Masala isn’t very high on the spicy meter. Rather, the blend gets its name from the warming properties found in the spices featured in Garam Masala—with black pepper as the star ingredient. In fact, the blend was originally dreamed up to help keep warm during the colder months in India. Historically, Garam Masala has been linked to Ayurvedic medicine, used for centuries to cure whatever ails ya. Including lowering blood sugar, fighting bad breath, pain relief, aiding in digestive health, and boosting the immune system and metabolism.

Garam Masala is a complex blend of spices—featuring anywhere between 6 to 32 spices (sometimes more). The warm, floral, spicy notes add unique depth and flavour to a number of different dishes. Spicewalla’s Garam Masala features Nutmeg, Clove, Cinnamon, Black Peppercorn, Cumin Seed, and Green Cardamom. Typically associated with curry dishes, this blend is often used in variety of other recipes found in Indian cuisine. Try it in any recipe that calls for it, but also try it as a finishing touch on roasted vegetables, in stews, or rubbed on grilled meats. It’s also pretty amazing in desserts like Pumpkin Pie!

Looking for more Garam Masala inspo? Check out our recipe for Garam Masala Grilled Cheese!