Garam (“hot”) and masala (a mixture of spices) is a blend of ground spices, originating from the Indian subcontinent, common in cuisines from the Indian subcontinent, Mauritius and South Africa. It is used alone or with other seasonings. The word garam refers to “heating the body” in the Ayurvedic sense of the word, as these spices are believed to elevate body temperature in Ayurvedic medicine. There are other types of masala, like tikka masala and tandoori masala.
The composition of garam masala differs regionally, with many recipes across the Indian subcontinent according to regional and personal taste, and none is considered more authentic than others. The components of the mix are toasted, then ground together.
A typical Indian version of garam masala contains:
Black and white peppercorns
Cloves
Cinnamon or cassia bark
Mace (outer covering of nutmeg)
Black and green cardamom pods
Curry leaf
Cumin
Coriander