Curry powder was introduced by the British to create a ready-made flavor that could recreate the flavours of South India. Curry powder is a spice blend of turmeric which provides an intense yellow colour and coriander, cumin, fenugreek, cayenne pepper, ginger, black pepper, mustard powder. The spices used in the blend can vary from five to more than ten ingredients. The spiciness of the curry powder can vary from mild, medium to extra hot. There are many ways to make curry spice blend and no two recipes are exactly the same.
Curry powder has a unique flavor due to the combination of both savory and sweet spices. Savory spices like cumin, turmeric, and bay leaf give the curry a deep, earthy flavor while sweet spices, like cinnamon and clove, add brightness and pep. The level of heat is determined by the type and amount of pepper used. It is commonly used to flavor soups, stews, sauces, marinades, meat, and vegetables. As the popularity of curry flavor increases, creative chefs are finding more unconventional uses for the seasoning such as hamburgers, scrambled eggs, and potato salad.
