Masala

Masala or massala (Hindi: मसाला; Bengali: মশলা; Urdu: -‎; Nepali: मसाला), is a term used in South Asian cuisines (including Indian, Pakistani, Nepali, Bangladeshi, Burmese, and Sri Lankan cuisines) to mostly describe a mixture of spices. A masala can either be a combination of dried (and usually dry roasted) spices, or a paste (such as vindaloo masala) made from a mixture of spices and other ingredients—often garlic, ginger, onions and chilli paste. Masalas are used extensively in Indian cuisine to add spice and flavor.

There are a number of masalas with various ingredients. Garam Masala is commonly used in curries, and curry masalas are also available separately. Biryani Masala, Chat Masala, Pav Bhaji masala, Chicken, Mutton, Fish etc., masalas are now available in ready made and packed forms. Dry masalas include jeera, cardomom, chilies or pepper, clove, cinnamon, black jeera. rock salt etc. Wet masalas also contain garlic, oil, ginger,etc.