Chaat masala

Chaat masala

Chaat masala, also spelled chat masala, is a spice powder mix or masala, originating from the Indian subcontinent, used in the cuisines of the Indian subcontinent, primarily in Indian, Bangladeshi and Pakistani cuisine to add flavor to fruit salads made with papaya, sapota, apples or bananas. Chaat masala is also sprinkled on potatoes, fruit, egg toasts and regular salads in India.

It typically consists of amchoor (dried mango powder), cumin, coriander, dried ginger, salt (often kala namak), black pepper, asafoetida (hing) and chili powder. Garam masala is optional.

Fruit chaat masala

Some spice brands market an alternate spice mix called fruit chaat masala, which tastes less of cumin, coriander, and ginger, but more of chili pepper, black salt, amchoor and asafoetida. Street vendors usually mix their own chaat masala, which is sprinkled on chopped up fruit or fresh vegetables (such as raw white radish in the Northern regions of the Indian subcontinent). Sometimes black salt with chili powder alone is used.