At its heart, a masala is a mixture of ground spices, herbs, and sometimes other ingredients, designed to add flavor and aroma to food These blends are fundamental to Indian cuisine, but similar concepts exist in many other cultures Masalas offer a wide range of flavor profiles, from warm and earthy to hot and pungent, sweet and fragrant, or tangy and sour The specific spices used determine the overall flavor The purpose of creating a masala is to create a balanced flavor profile, where individual spices enhance each other Masalas are essential for creating the complex and layered flavors that characterize many cuisines Garam" means "hot" or "warming," referring to the warming properties of the spices, not necessarily the heat level A tangy and spicy blend used to season snacks, fruits, and street food Key ingredients include dried mango powder (amchur), black salt, cumin, and coriander Each region of India has its own unique blends, reflecting local tastes and ingredients.