Curry powder is a spice blend that typically contains a mixture of up to 20 different spices. The exact blend can vary significantly between curry powder recipes, resulting in powders with distinctly different flavors. Jamaican curry powder and regular curry powder are two of the most popular types.
What is Jamaican curry powder?
Jamaican curry powder originated from the island of Jamaica in the Caribbean. It tends to have a fairly hot, spicy kick and robust flavor compared to other curry powders. Some of the key characteristics of Jamaican curry powder include:
- It contains a blend of up to 20 spices, including turmeric, coriander, ginger, garlic, allspice, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, cayenne pepper, and black pepper.
- The inclusion of Scotch bonnet peppers gives it a distinct heat and bite.
- Spices like allspice, cloves, and cinnamon give it a warm, sweet aroma.
- Turmeric provides an earthy undertone and yellow color.
- Thyme and scallions add herbal notes.
Overall, Jamaican curry powder has a very aromatic, fiery, and robust flavor profile. It works well in curries, stews, sauces, marinades for meats, and more.
What is regular curry powder?
Regular curry powder is a more generic spice blend that can vary in composition. Some key features of regular curry powder include:
- It contains 10-15 spices on average, compared to Jamaican’s 20+.
- Common spices include turmeric, coriander, cumin, fenugreek, ginger, garlic, cinnamon, clove, cardamom, chili peppers, fennel, mustard seeds, and black pepper.
- The flavor tends to be more mellow and less hot than Jamaican curry powder.
- The ingredient proportions differ, with more coriander seed and less chili pepper.
With its milder blend of spices, regular curry powder has a more broadly appealing, generic curry flavor profile. It works well in many curry dishes, marinades, stews, and sautés.
Key Differences
Here is a summary of the main differences between Jamaican and regular curry powder:
| Jamaican Curry Powder | Regular Curry Powder |
|---|---|
| Contains 20+ spices | Contains 10-15 spices on average |
| Includes Scotch bonnet peppers | Lower proportions of chili peppers |
| Very hot, spicy, and aromatic | Milder in flavor and spice level |
| Distinctive Jamaican flavor profile | More generic curry flavor |
Spice Blend Comparison
Here is a more detailed look at the differences in spice blends between the two curry powders:
| Spice | Jamaican Curry Powder | Regular Curry Powder |
|---|---|---|
| Turmeric | Included | Included |
| Coriander | Included | Higher proportion |
| Cumin | Included | Included |
| Fenugreek | Sometimes included | Often included |
| Ginger | Included | Included |
| Garlic | Included | Sometimes included |
| Allspice | Included | Sometimes included |
| Cinnamon | Included | Sometimes included |
| Cloves | Included | Sometimes included |
| Chili Peppers | Scotch bonnets included | Less chili pepper |
Uses
Both Jamaican and regular curry powder have a wide range of culinary uses including:
- Curries – add to curry sauces and dishes like curried chicken, goat, shrimp, and vegetables.
- Marinades – coat meats with oil, curry powder, herbs and seasonings.
- Stews – add intense flavor to beef, lamb, chicken, and vegetable stews.
- Rubs – rub on meats before grilling, broiling, or roasting.
- Sautéed dishes – sprinkle on sautéed vegetables, eggs, beans, lentils.
- Roasts – coat roast chicken, cauliflower, potatoes.
Jamaican curry powder works particularly well in Jamaican-style curry goat, oxtail stew, jerk chicken, fish, and traditional rice and peas. Regular curry powder offers a milder flavor for tikka masala, korma, vegetable curries, and chickpeas.
Availability
Jamaican curry powder can be found in Caribbean specialty stores or the international section of well-stocked supermarkets. It is also widely available to purchase online.
Regular curry powder is readily found in the spice aisle of any major supermarket. Madras curry powder is a sub-type of regular curry powder with a moderately spicy heat level.
Storage
Both curry powders should be stored in airtight containers in a cool, dark place. Ground spices kept this way will maintain optimum freshness and flavor for up to 6 months.
Making Your Own
For the freshest, most aromatic flavors, you can also make homemade versions of each curry powder:
- Jamaican: Blend 2 tbsp turmeric, 2 tbsp allspice berries, 1 tbsp black peppercorns, 1 tbsp coriander seeds, 1 tbsp cumin seeds, 3 dried thyme sprigs, 3 scallions, 1 tbsp cinnamon, 1 tsp nutmeg, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1-3 deseeded Scotch bonnet peppers (to taste). Grind to powder.
- Regular: Blend 2 tbsp coriander seeds, 1 tbsp cumin seeds, 1 tbsp fenugreek seeds, 2 tsp mustard seeds, 1 cinnamon stick, 6 whole cloves, 6 cardamom pods, 1 dried red chili pepper. Grind to powder.
Adjust the ingredients and proportions to your taste preferences for personalized curry powder. Making your own allows you to control the spiciness and flavor profile.
Conclusion
In summary, Jamaican curry powder has a very distinctive identity compared to more generic regular curry powder. It contains more spices like allspice, Scotch bonnet peppers, and clove that give it a bold, fiery, and aromatic taste. Regular curry powder has a milder, more delicate flavor from containing fewer spices in different proportions. Both have their place in cuisines from curries to stews depending on the depth of flavor desired. Understanding the differences allows you to choose the best curry powder to suit your cooking needs.