Herbs and Spices - Garam Masala
Garam Masala
Garam masala from garam ("hot") and masala (a mixture of spices) is a blend of ground spices, originating from the Indian subcontinent, common in cuisines from the Indian subcontinent, Mauritius and South Africa. It is used alone or with other seasonings. The word garam refers to "heating the body" in the Ayurvedic sense of the word, as these spices are believed to elevate body temperature in Ayurvedic medicine.
The most common variety of Garam masala originated in Northern India. You’ll find that Garam masala is a very warming spice which can be comforting. This is likely the reason behind its creation.
Garam masala was developed as a way to keep you warm. The name ‘Garam masala’ literally means ‘hot spice’.
Garam masala has been found to help speed up your metabolism. This is why it is such a warming spice; having a fast metabolism can help to raise your body temperature.As it can be colder in Northern India than other areas, this spice blend would have been useful to help you stay cosy during the colder winters.
As Garam masala can be so good at keeping you warm, it would have been a staple spice in many cultures, which is why you can find it used so extensively today.The massive influx of Desi people into Britain between 1800 and 1950 would also contribute to the spread of Garam masala. As with many Desi foods, this spice took root in British Asian culture and has remained a fixture to this day.
Benefits:
1. Boost digestion: It stimulates appetite and boosts digestion by promoting release of gastric juices in the stomach. Cloves and cumin in the garam masala keep indigestion at bay and cloves also help in preventing acidity. Adding pepper and cardamom to your garam masala may also help in digestion.
2. Boost metabolism: Garam masala's ingredients are rich in phytonutrients, which help in boosting metabolism. Pepper is especially good in giving a boost to the body's metabolism. These ingredients are also rich in minerals, which help in improving the function of various body organs.
3. Full of antioxidant: aram masala is full of antioxidants which help in preventing skin problems and also help fight inflammation.
4. Fight bloating and flatulence: garam masala has carminative properties and apart from boosting digestion, it also helps in fighting bloating, flatulence and even nausea. The ingredients in the spice-mix also help in keeping the gastrointestinal tract healthy.
5. Fight bad breath: The presence of cloves and cardamom in the garam masala also makes it great for fighting bad breath.
Serving way:
Garam masala is best when added at the end of cooking and can even be sprinkled on a dish when serving. This mix can then be used in curries, lentils, soups or just sprinkled in some scrambled eggs.