Indian Culture

Garam Masala

Garam masala is a blend of warm spices such as cardamom, cinnamon, cloves and black pepper.1,2,3,4,5 Garam means hot, but it refers to warmth, not chilli heat.2,4,6,7,8

Also known as Garam Masala blend

Garam masala is a ground spice blend from North India.1,2,3,8,9 Garam means hot or warm in Hindi, masala means spices; what is meant is not chilli heat but that, in traditional Indian belief, the spices warm the body.1,2,4,6,8,10 Typical are cinnamon, cardamom, cloves and black pepper, often with cumin and coriander, but usually no chilli.1,2,3,5,11 There is no fixed recipe: every region, every manufacturer and many families mix it differently, and blends of Mughal cuisine emphasise the fragrant spices.2,4,5,9 The spices are usually roasted before grinding, and the blend is often added only towards the end of cooking.2,3,4,9,12 The TRS garam masala lists ten spices on the pack, led by coriander, cumin and cinnamon.13

What is garam masala spice made of?

Usually cinnamon, cardamom, cloves and black pepper, often with cumin and coriander; every region and many families mix it differently. The TRS garam masala lists ten spices, led by coriander, cumin and cinnamon.1,2,5,9,13

Is garam masala the same as curry powder?

No. Garam masala is a North Indian blend of fragrant spices such as cinnamon, cardamom and cloves, usually without chilli; curry powder is a British invention coloured yellow mainly by turmeric.1,2,5,14

Recipes with Garam Masala

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Sources

  1. Hill, T. (2022). garam masala. In Encyclopaedia Britannica.
  2. Katzer, G. (n.d.). Kreuzkümmel (Cuminum cyminum). Gernot Katzers Gewürzseiten. Retrieved October 6, 2026.
  3. Wickramasinghe, P. & Rajah, C. S. (2005). Garam masala. In The Food of India.
  4. Le Cordon Bleu. (2010). Garam masala. In Cuisine Foundations.
  5. Britannica Editors. (1998). curry. In Encyclopaedia Britannica.
  6. McGregor, R. S. (n.d.). garm. In The Oxford Hindi-English Dictionary (p. 256). Digital Dictionaries of South Asia, University of Chicago. Retrieved October 6, 2026.
  7. Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). garam masala. In Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary. Retrieved October 6, 2026.
  8. McFadden, C. (2008). Garam masala. In Pepper.
  9. Modha, S. (2024). Garam masala. In Sanjana Feasts.
  10. McGregor, R. S. (n.d.). masālā. In The Oxford Hindi-English Dictionary (p. 797). Digital Dictionaries of South Asia, University of Chicago. Retrieved October 6, 2026.
  11. Katzer, G. (n.d.). Spice Mixtures. Gernot Katzers Gewürzseiten. Retrieved October 6, 2026.
  12. Alford, J. & Duguid, N. (2005). garam masala. In Mangoes & Curry Leaves.
  13. Indian Culture: TRS Finishing Spice Blend (Garam Masala).
  14. Katzer, G. (n.d.). Curryblätter (Murraya koenigii). Gernot Katzers Gewürzseiten. Retrieved October 6, 2026.

Cite this entry

MLA

“Garam Masala.” Indian Culture Glossary, Indian Culture, https://www.indian-culture.de/en/glossar/garam-masala.

Chicago

Indian Culture Glossary, s.v. “Garam Masala,” https://www.indian-culture.de/en/glossar/garam-masala.

APA

Indian Culture. (n.d.). Garam Masala. In Indian Culture glossary. https://www.indian-culture.de/en/glossar/garam-masala