‘Four Spices’

Chaar masalah translates as ‘four spices’, but rather than literally meaning a blend of four spices, it generally refers to a mix of multiple spices, which can be used as a flavour base for many different dishes. The spices used vary from one region to the next, and even from one household to the next, but usually include a selection of warm spices such as cumin, coriander, cardamom, pepper, cinnamon, turmeric, saffron and nutmeg.

Chaar masalah is similar in concept to the garam mas