Curry Powder

The flavor team

The pairs that carry this dish. Each one is judged two ways: how much their aromas overlap, and how often cooks already put them together.

1. Turmeric + cumintop 1% of all pairs
   Smell alikestrong
   Cooked together1,698 recipes

   Shared aroma: eucalyptol (eucalyptus, herbal).

2. Coriander + cumintop 1% of all pairs
   Smell alikestrong
   Cooked together3,866 recipes

   Shared aroma: beta-phellandrene (minty, terpene).

3. Turmeric + cardamomtop 1% of all pairs
   Smell alikestrong
   Cooked together667 recipes

   Shared aroma: eucalyptol (eucalyptus, herbal).

4. Turmeric + fenugreektop 1% of all pairs
   Smell alikestrong
   Cooked together229 recipes

   Shared aroma: coumarin (sweet, hay).

5. Coriander + cardamomtop 1% of all pairs
   Smell alikestrong
   Cooked together872 recipes

   Shared aroma: beta-phellandrene (minty, terpene).

Ranks compare each pair with 20,000 random ingredient pairs on CompKitchen. How we score pairs

What each ingredient does

Turmeric

Gives the blend its yellow colour and an earthy, slightly bitter flavour.

Coriander seed

Provides a citrusy, warm base flavour that anchors the blend.

Tellicherry black pepper

Adds sharp, pungent heat that lifts the other spices.

English mustard seeds

Contributes pungency and a sharp, slightly bitter bite.

Fenugreek seeds

Adds a distinctive bittersweet, maple-like aroma characteristic of curry.

Cumin seeds

Contributes a warm, earthy aroma typical of curry blends.

Swap the cassia

How well each one fits the dish's main ingredients (turmeric, coriander, pepper, mustard, fenugreek, cardamom, cumin):

1. Fennelfits better
2. Cinnamonfits better
3. Gingerfits better
4. Cassiathe original

Fit is the average pairing score against turmeric, coriander, pepper, mustard, fenugreek, cardamom, cumin. Candidates are from the same food group and used in at least 100 recipes.