Garam masala blends
Garam masala is a fragrant, warming spice blend foundational to North Indian cuisine, typically made from ground toasted spices like cumin, coriander, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and black pepper. It's not a single dish but a versatile seasoning added at the end of cooking to impart deep, complex aroma and flavor to curries, stews, and rice dishes.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
As a spice blend, garam masala is very low in calories, carbohydrates, fat, and protein. Its primary nutritional contribution comes from trace minerals and antioxidant compounds derived from its constituent spices.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 8 kcal |
| Protein | 0.3 g |
| Carbs | 1.4 g |
| Fat | 0.4 g |
| Fiber | 0.7 g |
| Sugar | 0.1 g |
| Sodium | 1 mg |
| Iron | 0.5 mg |
| Manganese | 0.2 mg |
| Calcium | 15 mg |
| Magnesium | 5 mg |
| Potassium | 25 mg |
| Copper | 0.03 mg |
| Vitamin K | 1.5 mcg |
Per 1 teaspoon (3 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
The term 'garam masala' translates to 'hot spice blend,' referring not to chili heat but to the Ayurvedic concept of spices that raise the body's metabolism and internal temperature. Each family and region often has its own signature ratio, making it a deeply personal and variable culinary signature.
