DISCOVERING THE FLAVORS OF INDIAN MASALA: A GUIDE FOR INDIAN-AMERICANS
Indian flavors and spices go hand in hand. The types of flavor notes in the spices and masala blends used in Indian meals result in a culinary experience that involves all five senses – sight, smell, taste, touch, and sound.
When we sit down to have food, the first things we notice are mostly sight and smell. The human tongue physically connects to taste and works in tandem with fragrance to distinguish primary flavors.
As we all know, the sense of touch enhances our flavor experience by letting us know how the food "feels" in texture, whereas sound leads to a feeling of satisfaction – for instance, who doesn't love the crunchy sound of biting into a wafer?
Therefore, to understand food better, it is crucial to understand its impact on your senses.
Let's now delve into the five main types of flavor notes in Indian spices:
The Sweet Spice Profile
The sweet profile of spices represents how our tongues sense the distinct note of sugar in food. A slight hint of sweetness is often added to a not-so-sweet dish to create a contrasting taste profile that excites the human brain. That's why sweet-and-sour food pairings are so popular.
Now, the relevance of these spices in desserts is evident, of course, but their use in curries is equally, if not more, significant. Among Indian spices, prominent examples of herbs that are sweet are cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, allspice, star anise, and cassia.
The Pungent Spice Profile
The pungent spice profile is that of dry heat. It's usually found in herbs and spices with a strong, sharp taste. Volatile, aromatic oils present in these herbs are the main reason behind this phenomenon.
The spicy taste is stimulating and penetrating. It clears congestion and moisture within the body. Pungent spices increase circulation, purifies the blood, and reduce cholesterol.
Indian spices that fall under the pungent/spicy classification are intensely flavored and are the predominant flavor in whatever foods we add them into. Some herbs with a strong spice profile are garlic, ginger, onion, and mustard.
The Earthy Spice Profile
The earthy spice profile has a more grounded flavor that reflects its roots and origins. So, the taste it infuses into food is that of the Earth, where all spices come from.
Offering a raw, earthy flavor that's often aromatic, its distinct scent makes this profile instantly identifiable. Amongst Indian spices, coriander, cloves, and Cumin are prominent examples of herbs with an earthy flavor profile.
The Sour Spice Profile
You know you're consuming something with a sour spice profile if your mouth puckers up while eating!
Spices with a sour flavor profile make your mouth water instinctively, bringing about extensive salivation.
Adding sourness livens up bland foods (mainly starches), balances out the spicy heat emitted by chili peppers, and reduces saltiness in food.
Some sour Indian spices are tamarind, amchur, and vinegar powder. Sour herbs counter sweetness and complement them sometimes, depending on the dish.
The Cool Spice Profile
As the name suggests, spices belonging to this flavor profile provide a cooling sensation to the tongue. They refresh your mouth with an intense cool sensation felt heavily in the mouth and nose.
Cool spices are a perfect addition to any dish on a hot summer day. These spices work against the natural rise in body temperature. The cool sensation is a natural consequence of the plant base these spices carry.
Some cool spices are spearmint, peppermint, fennel, and camphor.
Masalas For Each Flavor Profile
Whether dry or powdered, crushed versions of many Indian spices are convenient ingredients that chefs add to various Indian dishes as they add flavor and color to the plate. Knowing the different herbs used in Indian cuisine will help you understand what you're ordering when you visit Indian restaurants.
Here are some of the most common Indian masala powders:
Turmeric Powder (Haldi)
Turmeric comes from the turmeric plant and is commonly found in several Indian and Asian food items. The flavor profile of turmeric is slightly bitter with a warm flavor.
Top-quality Turmeric powder, like Alcoeats Turmeric powder, is often used in different cheeses, curry powders, butter, and mustard as its aroma is relatively mild and has an aroma similar to ginger and orange.
Red Chili Powder (Laal Mirchi)
Red chili is an Indian spice made from red chili peppers and is different from the chili powder spice used by Mexican cuisine. Red chili, or "Laal Mirchi," contains cayenne and other Indian spices and adds an incredibly spicy kick.
Besides its fiery factor, the best red chili powders like Alcoeats Red Chili powder also add that famous red color to Indian dishes.
Garam Masala
Garam Masala is the most popular Indian spice blend in Indian recipes. Chefs often toast this mouthwatering blend of spices before grinding it to bring out its natural flavors and activate its aroma.
The spices used in preparing garam masala powder include Cumin, black pepper, clove, cinnamon, and cardamom. Again, the best garam masala powders, like Alcoeats Garam Masala powder, add a uniquely delicious aroma and flavor to any Indian food.
Cumin Seeds (Jeera)
There are several varieties of Cumin, but the one most commonly used in Indian cuisine has a yellowish-brown color.
Cumin has a warm, earthy flavor and a unique aroma, adding zest to curry dishes. Top-quality masala blends like Alcoeats cumin powder add perfect cumin flavor to any dish.
Mustard Seeds (Rai)
Extracted from mustard plants, mustard seeds come in different colors and impart distinct flavors to any Indian curry/dish.
Black mustard is a hot spice and has a sharper bite. Brown mustard has a bitter taste. Yellow mustard is sweet and spicy.
Cumin and Coriander Power (Dhana Jeera)
This masala powder combines two spices. It's used in curries, vegetables, and soups, giving them an outstanding balance of flavor.
Cumin and coriander masala powder has a tangy lemon-ish flavor with a strong and sweet taste.
Summing it up
So, as we all know by now, Indian spices make Indian cuisine among the world's best.
Because of the unique and very distinct flavor profile of each type of Indian spice, it's no surprise that Indian cuisine is coveted and iconic across the world and is taken as a base for many Indian and Asian dishes.
So, if you're craving spicy, flavorful Indian food and your mouth is watering from the descriptions above, it's time to head over to an Indian restaurant and fall head over heels in love with Indian cuisine.