Yellow curry powder is a spice blend that is a key ingredient in many curries and curry-based dishes. It typically contains turmeric along with other spices like coriander, cumin, fenugreek, mustard seeds, cinnamon, clove, cardamom, chili peppers, and curry leaves. The exact blend can vary, but the turmeric gives yellow curry powder its distinctive golden color.
Yellow curry powder originated in Southeast Asia, particularly Thailand, where it is an essential ingredient in many Thai curries. It spread to surrounding regions and underwent adaptations in India, Malaysia, Indonesia and other areas. Today, yellow curry powder is used around the world in a variety of cuisines. It packs a flavorful punch and adds aromatic, earthy, slightly spicy and bitter notes to dishes.
Rani Brand Curry Powder Mild
Rani Brand's Curry Powder Mild is an authentic 10-spice blend with ingredients like coriander, turmeric, cumin, fenugreek, and black pepper. It has great curry flavor without being spicy hot, making it very versatile for curries, lentils, soups, rubs, and more. This salt-free, all-natural spice blend is vegan and gluten-friendly.
Rani Brand has been selling spices for over 40 years, directly importing from their own factories in India to ensure quality and freshness. Their commitment to authentic, high-quality ingredients makes this curry powder really stand out.
Key features:
- 10-spice authentic Indian blend
- Great curry flavor without spicy heat
- Versatile for many dishes
- Vegan and gluten-friendly
- Directly imported for quality and freshness
What We Like:
- Authentic spice blend
- Adds great flavor
- Salt-free and natural
Spices Village Yellow Indian Curry Powder
![SPICES VILLAGE Yellow Indian Curry Powder [8oz] - Spicy Curry Blend Seasoning for Cooking, Natural Medium Madras Curry Mix, Kosher, Gluten Free, Non GMO, Salt Free, Resealable Bulk Bag [Pack may Vary]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/512jlFYMnkL._SL75_.jpg)
Spices Village Yellow Indian Curry Powder is a premium blend of turmeric, chili powder, coriander, and other spices that adds robust, authentic curry flavor. As a medium-hot madras curry powder, it brings a bold yet balanced heat. The curry powder comes in a resealable bulk bag to help keep it fresh.
Spices Village focuses on providing the highest quality spices and herbs, with a goal of freshness. Their curry powder is kosher, gluten-free, and contains no additives. The curry powder can add flavor to a wide variety of dishes.
Key features:
- Premium spice blend with authentic curry flavor
- Medium-hot madras-style brings bold heat
- Resealable bulk packaging keeps it fresh
- Kosher and gluten-free
What We Like:
- Great authentic flavor
- Good value for quality
- Kosher and gluten-free
Simply Organic Curry Powder
Simply Organic Curry Powder contains a fragrant blend of organic spices like coriander, turmeric, cumin, and fenugreek. It adds authentic curry flavor and golden color to curries, rice, lamb, and vegetables. The organic spices are ethically sourced and processed according to USDA organic standards.
Simply Organic aims to provide pure, delicious flavor from organic spices and seasonings. They ethically source quality ingredients to create exceptional flavors for everyday cooking and baking. This curry powder delivers warm, robust flavor.
Key features:
- Ethically sourced organic spice blend
- Adds authentic curry flavor and color
- USDA organic certified
- Delivers warm, robust flavor
What We Like:
- Organic and ethically sourced
- Great authentic curry flavor
- Good value
McCormick Gourmet Organic Curry Powder
McCormick Gourmet Organic Curry Powder features a fragrant blend of organic spices like coriander, fenugreek, turmeric, and ginger. It adds authentic curry flavor and color to many dishes from traditional curries to roasted vegetables. McCormick has a program to ensure quality and product integrity.
This curry powder has a warm, robust flavor profile. McCormick is dedicated to ethical and sustainable farming practices that improve farmers' livelihoods. Their commitment to quality ingredients makes this an excellent organic curry powder.
Key features:
- Fragrant blend of organic spices
- Adds authentic curry flavor and color
- Sourced from quality ethical farms
- Warm, robust flavor
What We Like:
- Organic and ethically sourced
- Great authentic curry flavor
- Reputable brand
FreshJax Organic Curry Powder
FreshJax Organic Curry Powder features turmeric, cumin, fenugreek, and other spices for authentic curry flavor. It adds vibrant color and earthy aroma to any dish. FreshJax focuses on pure, organic ingredients that are ethically sourced and processed.
This curry powder has a balanced flavor that isn't overwhelmingly spicy. FreshJax is a small family business that donates meals to children in need. Their commitment to quality and community makes this an excellent curry powder.
Key features:
- Ethically sourced organic spices
- Adds authentic curry flavor and color
- Vibrant yellow color and earthy aroma
- Balanced, not overly spicy
What We Like:
- Organic and ethically sourced
- Great authentic flavor
- Donates meals to children
Mekhala Organic Gluten-Free Thai Yellow Curry Paste
This Thai yellow curry paste is made by Mekhala, a brand dedicated to creating wholesome and sustainable Asian foods. The paste contains shallots, garlic, lime juice, galangal, Himalayan pink salt, dried red chilli, spices, turmeric, and water. It is organic, vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO, and contains no MSG.
Key features:
- USDA Organic and certified gluten-free
- Made from authentic Thai ingredients like galangal, lemongrass, and turmeric
- Versatile for curries, marinades, stir-fries, and more
- Oil-free and sugar-free
- Sold by a brand that supports women's empowerment
What We Like:
- Provides complex and aromatic Thai flavor easily
- Quality organic ingredients with no additives or preservatives
- Can make vegetarian and vegan dishes
- Blender-friendly paste for fast cooking
Savory Spice Mild Yellow Curry Powder, Salt-Free
Savory Spice Shop's mild yellow curry powder features traditional Indian spices like mustard, cinnamon, turmeric, fenugreek, cumin, anise, ginger, cardamom, and black pepper. This salt-free curry powder has an earthy, bittersweet flavor profile with bright, citrusy, sweet, and peppery notes. It can season beef, chicken, fish, poultry, and vegetables. The powder is also used to make yellow curry paste.
Key features:
- Salt-free, vegan, gluten-free, MSG-free
- Warm, earthy flavor from traditional spices
- Convenient and customizable seasoning
- Made in the USA by a small business
What We Like:
- Allows control over salt content
- Balanced blend of aromatic spices
- Easy way to add curry flavor to dishes
- Produced by a women-owned company
Morton & Bassett Curry Organic
This USDA organic curry powder from Morton & Bassett contains cumin seed, turmeric, fenugreek, fennel, mustard flour, and coriander seed. It comes in a pack of three 2.1 oz jars. The curry powder has a robust, complex flavor and faint heat. It can be used in curries, stews, marinades, dressings, and more. Morton & Bassett is a small business focused on quality organic spices.
Key features:
- Certified organic ingredients
- Pack of three 2.1 oz jars
- Produced by a small, organic-focused business
- Versatile for Indian dishes and beyond
What We Like:
- Convenient size for stocking spice cabinet
- Has USDA organic certification
- Adds authentic flavor to dishes
- Aromatic and well-balanced blend
FreshJax Organic Thai Coconut Curry Mild - Yellow
FreshJax Organic Thai Coconut Curry features unsweetened coconut, turmeric, sea salt, galangal, coriander, fenugreek, cumin, yellow mustard, and black pepper. This yellow curry has a mild coconut flavor with earthy, citrusy spice notes. It contains no MSG or preservatives. The Florida-based company focuses on organic, non-GMO spices and donates meals for each product sold.
Key features:
- USDA organic certified
- Unique blend with coconut flakes
- Versatile for curries, stir fries, marinades
- Donates meals to children in need
What We Like:
- Has organic and kosher certifications
- Mild, family-friendly flavor
- Meatless dishes can be made
- Reputable ethical brand
Savory Spice Medium Yellow Curry Powder, Salt-Free
Savory Spice Shop's medium yellow curry powder delivers an earthy, bittersweet flavor with a touch of heat from cayenne pepper. It contains spices like turmeric, cumin, coriander, cardamom, and black pepper. This curry powder can season meat, fish, vegetables, soups, stews, and rice dishes. It is vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and MSG-free. The blend is also used to make yellow curry paste.
Key features:
- Salt-free, vegan, and gluten-free
- Has a medium level of heat
- Seasons meat, veggies, soups, rice, etc.
- Produced by a woman-owned business
What We Like:
- Allows control over sodium content
- Delivers earthy, complex flavor
- Easy way to make curry paste
- Versatile for various dishes
Buying Guide for Yellow Curry Powder
When searching for yellow curry powder, here are the key factors to consider:
Ingredients
Check the listed ingredients to understand what is included in the curry powder blend. Most will contain the mainstays like turmeric, coriander, cumin, fenugreek, ginger, chili peppers, etc. However, the specific proportions can vary significantly, impacting the flavor profile.
Some blends emphasize certain notes, like more ginger or cloves. See what spices are highlighted to choose a blend tailored to your preferences. Avoid vague “proprietary blends” with no details.
Spice Level
Yellow curry powder ranges from mild to very spicy. Assess your heat tolerance and look for powders marked mild, medium or spicy/hot.
Spice level depends on the amount and types of peppers used. Spicier versions often contain cayenne, bird’s eye chilis or similar hot peppers. Milder blends use less or milder chilis.
If sensitive to spice, start with a mild powder and move up. You can always add fresh chilis or cayenne later to amp up heat.
Region
Think about which regional curry cuisine you plan to use the powder for. Thai yellow curry uses different spices than an Indian curry, for example.
Look for powders marketed as Thai, Indian, Malaysian etc. They'll contain ingredients tailored to dishes of that region. Or choose an all-purpose blend.
Color
The turmeric is what gives yellow curry powder its vibrant golden hue. A deeper, richer color generally indicates a higher turmeric content.
Darker yellow powders will impart more color to foods. If this is important for the dish, assess color when selecting. But deep color alone doesn’t necessarily mean a better powder.
Aroma
Give the powder a sniff if buying in person. It should smell fresh, fragrant and well balanced. Each spice should be detectable.
Avoid musty, stale or flat aromas. You want the spices to smell robust. Online, look for words like fragrant, aromatic or pungent in the description.
Price
Higher priced yellow curry powders typically come from specialty spice companies and feature quality, fresh ingredients. The lower cost supermarket brands use less expensive spices.
Consider how much you’ll use the powder. For occasional use, a supermarket version is likely sufficient. For curries and Thai dishes you make often, a fresh artisan powder is worth the extra cost.
Grind
Yellow curry powder can come finely ground into a smooth powder or be more coarsely ground with tiny flecks of whole spice visible.
Finely ground powders fully incorporate into dishes with ease. Coarser grinds add nice textural interest but may require straining out solids. Choose your preferred texture.
Certifications
Look for certifications like USDA Organic, Fair Trade, non-GMO etc. if these are important to you. Certified products undergo third-party auditing to verify claims.
Certified organic powders use pesticide-free spices grown without synthetic additives. Fair Trade indicates fair wages for farmers. Non-GMO verifies no genetically modified organisms are used.
Shelf Life
Check the best by or sell by date on the package. Spices lose potency over time. Fresher curry powder will be more aromatic and flavorful.
For quality, look for powders produced within the past 6 to 12 months. Turnover of inventory varies by retailer. Shop stores with vigorous spice sales for optimal freshness.
Packaging
The packaging should be well sealed and opaque to block light and air. This preserves freshness and prevents oxidation of oils in the spices.
Avoid pre-ground powder sold in clear jars or bags. Transparent containers accelerate decline in potency and aroma. Look for resealable packaging.
Brands
Some reputable yellow curry powder brands include:
- Spice Islands
- McCormick Gourmet Collection
- Frontier Co-Op
- Swad
- S&B Foods
- Rani
- Silk Road Spice Merchant
- Ayam Brand
- Mae Ploy
There are also many boutique spice companies producing quality blends like Penzeys Spices, The Spice House, Oaktown Spice Shop and more. Ask for samples if available to find your favorite.
How to Store Yellow Curry Powder
To get the most shelf life and flavor out of your yellow curry powder:
- Store in a cool, dark place away from light, heat and moisture. An upper kitchen cabinet works well.
- Keep yellow curry powder in an airtight container. Transfer from original packaging into a sealed glass jar or tin.
- Avoid storage in clear glass jars which allow in light. Use opaque tinted glass, stainless steel or tin containers if possible.
- Prevent cross-contamination by not double-dipping measuring spoons back into the powder. Use a clean spoon each time.
- Don’t store yellow curry powder near the stove where heat and steam can accelerate staling.
- Write the purchase or open date on the container and use within 6 to 12 months. Fresher is better for maximum flavor.
- If powder clumps, sift or stir gently with a fork to break up lumps before use. Discard any with rancid smell.
- For optimal quality and to avoid waste, buy curry powder in smaller quantities that will be used up quicker.
Proper storage extends shelf life. But all ground spices lose potency over time. Restock yellow curry powder about every 6 months.
Tips for Using Yellow Curry Powder
Yellow curry powder is very versatile. Here are some tips for incorporating it into your cooking:
- Start with a small amount, adjust to taste - Curry powders can vary greatly in spiciness. Add a little at first, taste, and gradually increase to your desired level of heat and flavor.
- Bloom in oil - To intensify flavor, briefly sauté the curry powder in oil over low heat before adding other ingredients. This blooms the spices and develops their flavors.
- Mix with liquid - For smooth blending into sauces or marinades, dissolve yellow curry powder first in the liquid ingredients before adding to the full recipe.
- Sprinkle on vegetables - Dust yellow curry powder over fresh chopped veggies. The oil helps the seasoning adhere. Toss to evenly coat.
- Use in rubs and marinades - The spice blend adds great flavor to meat and protein rubs. Marinate chicken, fish, shrimp or tofu in a yellow curry sauce.
- Add to dips and dressings - Whisk a pinch or two into mayo, yogurt, vinaigrettes or dressing recipes for a flavor boost.
- Sprinkle on popcorn or nuts - For spiced up snacking, toss fresh popcorn or roasted nuts with a dash of yellow curry powder, salt and olive oil.
- Mix into rice or grains - Stir yellow curry powder into rice, quinoa or couscous dishes for aromatic flavor.
- Use in baked goods - Add a teaspoon to cookie, cake, muffin or bread recipes for a warmth and subtle spiciness.
With its complex blend of spices, yellow curry powder packs a punch. Start with small amounts and increase the quantity depending on your taste preferences.
FAQ
What's the difference between yellow curry powder and garam masala?
While the two share some spices like cumin and coriander, garam masala does not contain the turmeric that gives yellow curry powder its distinctive golden color. Garam masala also typically includes warm spices like cinnamon, cardamom and cloves not found in most yellow curry powders.
Can I substitute yellow curry powder for recipes calling for curry paste?
Not directly. Curry paste contains additional liquid and binding ingredients not found in the dry powder. For best results, use curry powder plus extra liquids like broth and oils to approximate the texture of paste.
What proteins and foods pair well with yellow curry powder?
The spice blend pairs excellently with poultry, seafood, eggs, lentils and vegetarian proteins like chickpeas or tofu. The warming flavor also complements root vegetables like potatoes, carrots and cauliflower. And it adds flavor to grain bowls and rice.
What types of cuisines use yellow curry powder?
It is an essential ingredient in Thai curries as well as Malaysian, Indonesian and southern Indian cuisines. The powder is also incorporated into various West Indian and Caribbean meat and vegetable dishes. Yellow curry's global popularity means it turns up in recipes from many cultures.
Is there a conversion for fresh versus ground turmeric?
Yes, you'll need more ground turmeric to equal the flavor of fresh. For every one inch of fresh turmeric root, substitute 1⁄2 to 3⁄4 teaspoon of ground turmeric powder. The variance depends on the freshness and potency of the powdered form.
How long does opened yellow curry powder last?
Stored properly in an airtight opaque container in a cool, dark place, ground yellow curry powder will retain maximum aroma and flavor for around 6 months. Past one year, the spices degrade and lose potency. For the freshest flavor, use opened powder within a year and replace annually.
Can you substitute yellow curry powder for other curry powders like red or green?
While you can experiment with substitutions, the flavor profile won't be the same. The varying spices and chili peppers in each blend make them unique. For best results, choose a recipe developed specifically for yellow curry powder or adjust other components to complement its particular flavor notes.
What's the best oil to bloom yellow curry powder in?
Neutral oils like grapeseed, vegetable or canola allow the pure, bright spice flavors to shine. Olive oil is fine but has its own assertive taste. Butter can burn at higher heats. Coconut oil adds a subtle sweetness that may overpower. So for pure spice flavor, a flavorless high smoke point oil is ideal.
Is it better to buy whole spices and make yellow curry powder from scratch?
Making your own curry powder allows you to customize the blend and ensures very fresh, aromatic spices. But premade powder offers convenience for everyday cooking. For most home cooks, a quality premade powder is perfect. Make your own for special occasions or if you love to grind and blend spices.
Conclusion
With its complex mixture of spices and rich golden hue, yellow curry powder is a versatile ingredient that infuses dishes with the warming, aromatic flavors of Southeast Asia and India.
References:
- Cardamom and Tea - This website provides a recipe for yellow curry powder that is primarily made up of turmeric, cumin, coriander, and fenugreek, with some warm and spicy background notes. It also includes some recipes that use yellow curry powder.
- Savory Spice Shop - This website offers a mild yellow curry powder that is sweet-spiced and earthy in taste and flavor, with peppery and some bittersweet notes. It also provides information on how to use the powder and what it contains.
- Whole Spice - This website sells freshly ground and blended yellow Indian curry powder that provides a remarkable aroma. It also offers some recipes that use the powder.
- WebMD - This website explains what curry powder is, what it contains, and its potential health benefits. It also provides a list of spices commonly found in curry powder mixes, along with their scientific names.
- Bake It With Love - This website provides a recipe for homemade yellow curry powder that is easy to make and tastier than any pre-made blend. It also offers some tips on how to store the powder.
- Healthline - This website explains the surprising benefits of curry powder, including its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It also provides some tips on how to incorporate curry powder into your diet.