Hey there, welcome to my blog! Today I'm going to share with you how to store and preserve chaat masala, the ultimate spice blend for Indian street food. If you love chaats like I do, you know how important chaat masala is to add that tangy, zesty, and salty flavor to your snacks. But did you know that you can make your own chaat masala at home and keep it fresh for months? Here's how!

What is chaat masala?

Chaat masala is a spice blend that consists of several ingredients, such as black salt, dry mango powder, cumin seeds, black peppercorns, salt, and asafoetida. Some variations may also include dried mint leaves, coriander seeds, red chili powder, citric acid, or pomegranate powder. The main characteristic of chaat masala is its tangy and sour taste, which comes from the black salt and dry mango powder. Black salt also gives it a unique and pungent flavor that is essential for authentic chaat masala.

How to make chaat masala?

Making chaat masala at home is very easy and quick. All you need is a spice grinder and a frying pan. Here are the steps:

1) Dry roast the cumin seeds and black peppercorns in a frying pan over medium-low heat until they become aromatic and lightly browned. This will enhance their flavor and make them easier to grind.

2) Transfer the roasted spices to a spice grinder and add the dried mint leaves if using. Grind them into a fine powder.

3) Transfer the powder to a large bowl and add the salt, dry mango powder, asafoetida, and any other spices you like. Mix well until everything is well combined.

4) Sift the black salt through a fine sieve to remove any lumps and add it to the bowl. Mix again until well incorporated.

That's it! Your homemade chaat masala is ready to use or store.

How to store and preserve chaat masala?

Chaat masala can be stored in an air-tight container for up to 3-4 months in a cool, dry place away from moisture and sunlight. It will retain its flavor and aroma for this period, after which it may start to lose its potency. To store it for longer, you can keep it in the freezer and take out small portions at a time as needed. This way, you can enjoy fresh and homemade chaat masala anytime you want.

How to use chaat masala?

Chaat masala is mainly used for making chaats, which are Indian street food snacks that are usually served cold or at room temperature. Some of the popular chaats that use chaat masala are:

- Aloo chaat: Spicy potato cubes tossed with lemon juice, cilantro, onion, and chaat masala.

- Bhel puri: A crunchy mixture of puffed rice, sev (fried chickpea noodles), peanuts, onion, tomato, cilantro, tamarind chutney, green chutney, and chaat masala.

- Dahi puri: Crispy puris (hollow fried bread) stuffed with potato, onion, cilantro, yogurt, tamarind chutney, green chutney, sev, and chaat masala.

- Fruit chaat: A refreshing salad of mixed fruits sprinkled with lemon juice and chaat masala.

- Papdi chaat: Crispy papdis (flat fried bread) topped with potato, chickpeas, yogurt, tamarind chutney, green chutney, cilantro, onion, sev, and chaat masala.

But you can also use chaat masala for many other purposes, such as:

- Sprinkle it on salads, sandwiches, wraps, or burgers for a tangy twist.

- Add it to soups, stews, curries, or dal for a burst of flavor.

- Use it as a marinade for chicken, fish, tofu, or paneer along with yogurt and lemon juice.

- Mix it with yogurt or mayonnaise to make a delicious dip or dressing for chips or veggies.

- Sprinkle it on popcorn or roasted nuts for a spicy snack.

I hope you enjoyed this blog post on how to store and preserve chaat masala. If you try making your own chaat masala at home or using it in any of these ways, let me know in the comments below. I would love to hear from you!

Happy cooking!