Garam masala is a spice blend widely used in Indian cuisine, from curries and lentil dishes to soups. Whole spices of cinnamon, mace, peppercorns, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, and cardamon pods are toasted in a pan to release their aromatic flavors, then ground to a powder.
Garam masala tastes warm and earthy, lightly sweet, peppery and somewhat spicy, with hints of floral notes. The taste can vary from blend to blend depending on various spices and ratios of each added.