Chaat masala is a tangy, spicy, and flavorful spice blend that is a staple in Indian and South Asian street food, particularly in the popular snack category known as “chaat.” The word “chaat” refers to a variety of savory street foods that are often characterized by their bold and layered flavors, including sweet, spicy, sour, and tangy notes. Chaat masala plays a crucial role in creating that vibrant flavor experience, making it an indispensable ingredient in dishes like pani puri, bhel puri, aloo chaat, and fruit chaat.
The ingredients in chaat masala are carefully balanced to create a unique and potent flavor profile. Common components include amchur powder, kala namak, cumin seeds, coriander seeds, dried mint, black pepper, chili powder, asafetida, and sometimes a hint of sugar. The blend of these spices results in a seasoning that is sour, salty, and mildly spicy, with a distinct earthiness from the kala namak and an underlying sweetness from the amchur powder.
Chaat masala is incredibly versatile and is used in various ways across Indian cuisine. Most famously, it is sprinkled over chaat dishes, where it adds a burst of tangy flavor to items like fried potatoes, chickpeas, puffed rice, yogurt, and tamarind chutney. However, its uses extend beyond street food. Chaat masala can also be sprinkled over fresh fruits like watermelon, apples, and oranges, where its tangy and salty notes enhance the natural sweetness of the fruit. It’s also commonly used as a seasoning for snacks like pakoras, samosas, and even popcorn.