Spices & seasonings · Spice blends

Chettinad masala

Robust Tamil blend of black pepper, fennel, star anise and kalpasi for Chettinad chicken and curries.

Also called: chettinad spice powder

A kind of spices

Make it yourself: Chettinad masala

What it is

Chettinad masala comes from the Chettinad region of Tamil Nadu. It is a roasted blend dominated by black pepper and dried red chillies, with fennel, coriander, cumin, star anise, cinnamon, cloves and kalpasi (stone flower). It is peppery and deeply aromatic.

How it’s used

Chettinad chicken and mutton curries
Pepper fry dishes
Vegetable kurmas

Characteristics

Taste: Peppery, hot, aromatic.
Sold as: ground
Cooking uses: Mainly a seasoning
Common in: South Indian, Indian

Storage

Cool, dry and dark. Airtight jar away from light.

Diet, allergens and safety

No major allergens in typical versions.

Vegetarian
Vegan
Dairy-free
Egg-free
Gluten-free
Nut-free
Soy-free
Caffeine-free

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy: 325 kcal
Protein: 14.29 g
Carbohydrate: 55.83 g
Fat: 14.01 g
Fibre: 53.2 g
Sugars: 2.76 g

USDA FoodData Central: Spices, curry powder (a close stand-in).

Substitutes

Optional — what works if you don’t have it, and how it changes the dish.

Garam masala — With extra crushed pepper and fennel.

Related ingredients

Recipes with chettinad masala

No recipe in the catalogue uses it yet.

More spice blends