Goda masala
A dark, sweet-spiced Maharashtrian blend with dagad phool, coconut and sesame.
Also: kala masala, Maharashtrian masala, goda
Goda masala, or kala masala, is a dry-roasted blend from Maharashtra. It includes coriander, sesame, dried coconut, cumin, cinnamon, clove, bay leaf, caraway, black pepper and dagad phool, a black stone flower lichen, which gives a distinctive earthy fragrance. It is dark, slightly sweet and less fiery than north Indian garam masala, and it is added to dals, vegetable dishes such as bharli vangi stuffed aubergine, masala bhat and festival sweets. Households make large batches in the dry season and store them for the year. It is a good example of how regional Indian blends differ in taste and ingredient choice, even where names sound alike.