Chaat masala

Chaat masala is an Indian spice blend made predominantly from dried unripe mango powder, black salt, cumin, coriander, dried ginger, and black pepper.

It is prepared and sold as a finely ground dry powder. The blend has a pungent, sulfurous note that comes mainly from black salt, and from asafoetida in blends that include it.

Expect a distinctly sour hit from amchoor, layered with a deep savory taste from black salt and roasted spices. Earthy roasted cumin and mild peppery heat sit underneath, with a pungent, sulfurous edge from black salt (and asafoetida, where used).

Use it as a finishing sprinkle on ready-to-eat snacks like sev puri, bhel puri, papdi chaat, and aloo tikki. Add it at the end rather than cooking it in oil or boiling liquid.

Dust it over sliced guava, papaya, melon, or apples for quick fruit chaat.

Stir a pinch into chilled salted yogurt drinks, buttermilk, jaljeera, or lemonade for an instant savory, spiced note.