Garam Masala
What is Garam Masala?
Garam masala (meaning "warm/hot spice blend" in Urdu and Hindi) is a ground spice mixture central to South Asian and Afghan cooking - combining warming aromatic spices like cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, black pepper, cumin, and coriander into a single blended powder used to season food during and after cooking. Unlike single spices, garam masala is a composite flavour: each ingredient contributes a different note, and the result is a layered warmth that no single spice alone can produce.
Every cook and every region has a different garam masala recipe - the ratio of cinnamon to cardamom to cloves to pepper varies enormously, and the choice of additional spices (mace, nutmeg, bay leaf, star anise) further differentiates regional and household versions. Afghan garam masala tends to be heavier on cardamom and lighter on the sharp clove notes than South Asian versions. At Naan Kabob, the house spice blend draws on this tradition to create the proprietary Afghan flavour profile that defines every dish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is garam masala hot?
Despite the name, garam masala is "warm" in the sense of the warming spices it contains - cardamom, cinnamon, cloves - rather than hot in the chilli sense. Well-made garam masala should not produce chilli heat; it produces a warming, aromatic sensation that is distinct from capsaicin burn.
When should garam masala be added during cooking?
Garam masala is typically added in two stages: some at the beginning (with the onions and base spices) to develop background flavour, and a small amount added at the very end of cooking as a finishing seasoning to brighten the aromatic notes. Adding all of it at the beginning tends to mute the more volatile aromatic compounds.
Does Naan Kabob use garam masala in its dishes?
Naan Kabob uses a proprietary house spice blend rooted in the Afghan spice tradition - which includes many of the same warming spices as garam masala. The specific blend is the restaurant's own recipe and contributes the distinctive Afghan flavour profile across the menu.
See also: Cumin ,Coriander ,House Spice Blend.
The Afghan spice tradition at Naan Kabob - house blend in every dish, at all GTA locations.
