Chaat masala might be a small ingredient but it is an essential condiment in Pakistani snacks. No plate of fries or chaat is complete without a sprinkled chaat masala. It adds a great depth of spicy, tangy flavor to snacks.  It is a mixture of several spices like cumin, coriander, black pepper, dried mango powder, etc. The combination might seem strange but it works perfectly together.

I am a die-hard fan of chaat masala and all my snacks are incomplete without chaat masala. In fact, I like to even sprinkle a bit of chaat masala on my salads to add a hint of spice. While I do love having chaat masala, making one at home is tricky. To collect, measure and grind all the spices together to make this heavenly blend can sometimes go completely wrong, and turn into chaos. I always purchase my chaat masalas from a grocery mart to avoid that hassle, here’s my review on each brand I have ever tried;

Chaat Masala Review

Shan Chaat Masala

Shan chaat masala adds a spicy kick to food. It’s spicy, and tangy, and it’s everything a true spice lover is looking for. I like to sprinkle it over my french fries, or fruit chaat. I also like that it is free from any preservatives and colorants.

Jazaa Chaat Masala

Jazaa chaat masala is spicy and sour. It’s one chaat masala that for sure will blow whistles in your ear. It has no preservatives and is a sure pick for spice lovers like me.

Mehran Chaat Masala

With no preservatives, this one is also mildly spiced. There is not much difference in comparison with National chaat masala, other than that I found it to be caked-up in about 2 months.

National Chaat Masala

National chaat masala is another hit on my list and this adds great depth of flavoring to everyday meals. Just rightly balanced, this one is not heavily spiced, making it my husband's go to chaat masala. It is perfect for anyone who likes to add a bit of flavoring to bland food without making it intolerant spicy, unlike me.

FAQ

What is chaat masala made of?

Chaat masala is a mixture of several spices like cumin, coriander, black pepper, dried mango powder, etc.

What can I substitute for chaat masala?

Anything sour and tangy can substitute chaat masala. You can add black salt, or lemon or even use mango powder in place of chaat masala.

Is chaat masala the same as garam masala?

No, chaat masala and garam masala are made of entirely different sets of spices.