Picture this: You are strolling through the bustling streets of Old Delhi, where the air is fragrant with the aroma of spices and sizzling snacks. The sight of vendors assembling plates of chaats, from crispy samosas to savoury aloo tikkis. And to add an extra zing to it, they sprinkle the legendary spice blend – Chaat Masala. Made with a concoction of various spices, chaat masala is known for its bold tangy flavours and aroma. You can pair it with fruits, sprinkle it over salted lassi or eat it with fried food, there is no such food that this spice blend does not complement. However, have you ever wondered what is it made of? If yes, then you have arrived at the right article! Read on to know which spices are used to make chaat masala!
Also Read: Indian Cooking Tips: How To Make Chaat Masala At Home
Amchur or dry mango powder adds tanginess to chaat masala.
Photo Credit: iStock
Which spices are used to make chaat masala?
The holy mix of spices that lead to the final result of chaat masala can be divided into two parts – the essentials and the taste enhancers.
The Essential Masalas
1. Amchur (Dry Mango Powder)
Amchur or dry mango powder imparts a tangy, sour flavour to chaat masala, lending the signature tartness that elevates the tastes of our pani puri, dahi bhalle and bhel puri.
2. Jeera (Cumin powder)
Cumin seeds, when toasted and ground, infuse chaat masala with its warmth and earthy aroma. It is slightly bitter in taste and adds depth and complexity to dishes.
3. Dhaniya (Coriander powder)
Ground and toasted coriander seeds add a fresh, citrusy taste to chaat masala. It balances out the tanginess of amchur and enhances its overall profile.
4. Kala Namak (Black Salt)
This pungent salt lends a unique umami flavour to chaat masala and enhances its savoury notes. Kala namak also adds a unique depth of taste to the chaat masala.
5. Kali Mirch (Black Pepper)
Ground black pepper adds a subtle kick of heat to chaat masala. It balances out the sweetness of other spices and adds a layer of warmth to the chaat masala blend.
Ginger powder enhances the taste of the chaat masala.
Photo Credit: iStock
Taste Enhancers
In addition to the above-mentioned masalas, other taste-enhancing masalas go into making chaat masala.
1. Sonth (Ginger powder)
The ginger powder adds a dash of warmth and spiciness to chaat masala. This complements the other spices and adds its own zing to the chaat masala blend.
2. Hing (Asafoetida)
A pinch of hing adds its pungent, savoury flavour to chaat masala, and enhances the overall profile of the spice blend.
3. Laal Mirch (Red chilli powder)
Some chaat masalas have red chilli powder in them to increase their spiciness level. You can add some ground red chilis too to add a fiery kick to chaat dishes.
Also Read: Out Of Chaat Masala? Try These 5 Awesome Alternatives Instead!
Do you like chaat masala? If yes, then try making it at home with this easy recipe!