Spices Unearthed: Curry

chicken and fish curries of Penang Malaysia with influences from Chinese, Nyonya, Indian, and Malay cuisines

What does curry taste like?

You're probably thinking it is spicy, and has a strong flavor. But what is that exact flavor?

It actually isn’t a flavor at all. In India, the word ‘curry’ basically means ‘sauce’. And that sauce can be a mix of any spices.

However, you may be convinced that all curry tastes the same. And you may be right, depending on where you’re from. To make things easier for consumers in the West, companies standardized the mix of spices and in doing so, changed the definition of curry. So curry isn’t just a sauce in many places - it has become an actual flavor.

That flavor usually consists of coriander, turmeric, cumin and chili, and an additional spice or two like fenugreek, ginger, fennel, cinnamon, cardamom, etc.

But like in India, where no two curries taste the same, curry has evolved as it spread throughout the world. Because when cultures mix, so do spices, creating wonderfully distinct curries to awaken your taste buds.

With this endless variety of curries, there must be a rule for making it?  There must be someone who decides what does, or does not, belong in curry?

There is someone.  You - the cook.

No two curries taste the same, so don't just try one of these excellent recipes.  Try them all!
mussels coconut curry RECIPE
Mussels with Coconut Curry - Verses from my Kitchen
PANANG crab curry recipe
Crab Panang Curry - Elra's Cooking
JAPANESE curry recipe with SPICES
Japanese Curry - No Recipes
INDIAN chicken SPICY curry recipe
Spicy Chicken Curry with Pearl Onions - Sinfully Spicy
satay chicken curry with SPICES
Satay Chicken Curry - Season with Spice
INDIAN chicken SPICY curry recipe
Kapitan Chicken Curry - Season with Spice