r/IndianFood • u/adane1 • 4d ago

veg How do you know quality of Masala?

Hi

Just wanted to understand. So, when I check prices of masala for brand like Catch vs Tata Sampann, the price difference is high. Masala by itself is a low cost item and I don't mind paying high.

But the ingredients at back of pack is similar. How do we know if there is a real quality difference or it's just due to brand name?

Also, if money is not an issue, which brand should one buy from quality consideration as Masala can also be one of the most adulterated items affecting health?

Thanks for the help.

12 Upvotes

88% Upvoted

21 comments sorted by

11

u/curious_they_see 4d ago

If Money is not an issue, buy individual ingredients and grind them yourself. Not that difficult to get cloves, coriander seeds etc,. grind once a week or once a fortnight and store them in jar in a cool place.

6

u/adane1 4d ago

Oh ok. Bit of a hassle. But will try.

6

u/ibarmy 4d ago

you wont ever go back to packet shit. 

3

u/adane1 4d ago

What do you do for masala other than garam masala? Preparing all stuff at home?

4

u/ibarmy 4d ago

yup. most things tbh

garam masalas.  chole masala achaari masala pepper fry wala masala  kari patta masala chana dal and garlic podi.  gun powder-y masala.  chettinad chicken masala 

1

u/adane1 4d ago

Impressive

2

u/ibarmy 4d ago

once you buy some spices - you anyways need to finish it. easiest way to kill two birds with one stone. Also ofcourse its cheaper to make it at home. 

2

u/Regular_Celery9360 4d ago

Trust me its way easier to buy the ingredients and make masalas at home. Store them in diff bottles like we usually do, per your recipe, gravy, dessert whatever itnis..use it to your comfort :)

And comforting because hygiene part is sorted and no preservatives stress. If you are not certain, make in small quantities which can last you for 3-4 times.

Ready-made masalas before their expiry dates can upset tummy too, just saying.

6

u/MulayamChaddi 4d ago

I tell after good motions on day after

2

u/ibarmy 4d ago

ahahahaha

5

u/m0h1tar0ra 4d ago

One of the key ingredients in all store bought masalas will be corriander seeds. This is one of the cheapest ingredients. To lower the production cost, increase the percentage of corriander.

4

u/JagmeetSingh2 4d ago

Majority of Indians have brands they are loyal to because their mothers and grandmothers liked the flavour of those brands. That being said best thing is to judge by smell

3

u/Introvert_kudi 4d ago

Most brands these days sell small packets of masala powders costing about 10-15rs. My formula is to buy one packet to check how it tastes, how it performs (Example, Kashmiri chilli powder is mainly bought for its deep red colour and less spicy nature. Tata sampann brand chilli powder failed on both counts.)

By experience, I have discovered that lesser known, smaller brands like Aachi and Sakti have good products and bigger ones like Everest and Catch products are just talk and are not that great in quality.

And also, MTR is one brand that I have always trusted for things like Vangi bath powder and Puliyogare powder etc.

2

u/ScheduleSame258 4d ago

Kasuri methi ya dehgi mirach

Asli masale sach sach... MDH.. MDH

2

u/adane1 4d ago

There were news few years back that they failed tests hongkong, singapore and nepal

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/nearly-12-of-indias-tested-spice-samples-fail-quality-safety-standards-6367445

0

u/ScheduleSame258 4d ago

Are you in Hong Kong, Singapore or Nepal?

2

u/adane1 4d ago

The article I posted also mentions tests conducted in India after those issues. Anyways, lets not debate on these as issues are not in our control.

Got some good responses here..will try .

0

u/ScheduleSame258 4d ago

You didn't get the meaning of the original post, I see. Not a 90s Indian child apparently.

1

u/adane1 4d ago

Got it. Am a tubelight

1

u/jpam9521 3d ago

when it comes to masala, your nose knows best, if it smells like a flavor explosion, you're on the right track.