Garam masala
Spice
Top 10 pairings
Garam masala is a ground blend of warming spices from the Indian subcontinent — its name means literally "hot spices" in Hindi-Urdu, though the heat refers to aromatic warmth rather than chilli burn. A typical mix layers cardamom, cinnamon, clove, cumin, coriander and black pepper into a sweet-pungent, deeply fragrant seasoning used across North Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi cooking.
Picking a good onedrag
Just toasted and milled, warm and loudFaded and dusty, smells of nothing
Sealed and fragrantEveryday jarStill the blend you want. Keep it airtight, dark and off the stove-top, and check the label for salt if you are seasoning the dish separately.
Crush and smellClearly warm and sweet-spiced; rub a pinch between your fingers to raise it
Whole or pre-groundA small sealed packet from a named maker, recently milled, date well ahead
The label and the listThose warm spices named, plus house additions - mace, bay, fennel, dried ginger
Feel and flowLoose still, with a few soft lumps that collapse under a fingertip