Types Of Curry Powder

Types of Curry Powder

Curry powder, sometimes called masala, has been used for hundreds of years to flavor foods. It is a mixture composed of various spices including ginger, cumin, turmeric, coriander, nutmeg, fennel seeds, cardamom or garlic. Not all variations of curry powder contain the same ingredients. Different curries can be mild or very hot and spicy. Curry powder is used in India, Africa, Jamaica, Malaysia and China.

Madras or Indian Curry Powder

Indian curry powder, also called Madras curry powder, is a blend of several different spices including curry leaves, cumin, cloves, turmeric, coriander, cinnamon, chili pepper, bay leaves, allspice, black pepper and the herb fenugreek. It is traditionally used to enhance the flavor of sauces and foods. Depending on the strength of flavor or spiciness, 1 to 2 tbsp. of curry powder is used for each batch of sauce or meat dish.

Jamaican Curry Powder

Jamaican curry powder contains some of the same ingredients as Indian curry, but also has additional spices to give it a particular Jamaican flavor. You can make Jamaican curry at home with this recipe. Use 1/4 cup whole coriander seeds, 2 tbsp. whole cumin seeds, 2 tbsp. whole mustard seeds, 2 tbsp. whole anise seeds, 1 tbsp. whole fenugreek seeds, 1 tbsp. whole allspice berries, and 5 tbsp. ground turmeric. Cook all of the seeds and allspice berries in a frying pan until they are lightly toasted and emit a strong fragrance, then remove from heat and cool. Place in a grinder with the turmeric and mix until everything is well blended into a powder. Store in a spice jar in a cupboard away from heat.

African Curry Powder

Curry powder from Africa contains more peppers than either Indian or Jamaican curry. Ingredients include ginger, garlic, coriander seeds, cayenne pepper, dried cumin leaves, turmeric and hot chili powder. This type of curry is used to flavor meats, rice dishes and sauces. It is very spicy and hot.

Malaysian Curry

Curry from Malaysia varies from other curries because the Malaysians use tamarind, bay leaves and lemon grass for flavor in addition to the regular curry spices. To reduce the spiciness, coconut milk is mixed into a dish flavored with curry powder, giving the curry a distinct flavor.

Chinese Curry

In China, curry is made using an Indian style curry to which olive oil, extra garlic, paprika, chilli powder and ginger are added. This curry mix is used to flavor chicken, prawns or pork. It is also used in vegetarian dishes such as stir fried vegetables, rice, mushrooms or potatoes.

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