The Spice Czar collection
A fragrant pot of dal. A deeply savory braise. A comforting cup of chai. Each deserves its own balance of warm spice.
Inspired by Chef John’s travels in Nepal, these seven purpose-built blends turn one spice tradition into a whole kitchen of possibilities.
Start with what you love to cook
Seven distinct jobs, from the first simmer to the final pinch. Follow the aroma that fits your next meal.
4 oz shakers shown. Open a product for pouch sizes, ingredients and customer reviews.
For curries & roasts
Savory warmth. A rounded, aromatic finish.
Cumin and coriander give chicken a savory foundation, with cardamom and cinnamon adding warmth around the edges.
Stir into an onion-and-tomato base, then add cooked chicken and simmer gently. Taste before adding a small final pinch.
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For potatoes & cauliflower
Bright aromatics. Earthy underneath.
Coriander and cumin bring depth while cardamom keeps the finish fragrant—an easy route into warm-spiced vegetables.
Toss potato and cauliflower pieces with oil and masala before roasting. Finish with lemon after cooking and taste for salt.
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For lentils, beans & slow simmers
Earthy depth. Gentle warming spice.
Cumin-coriander character works into the pot, supported by ginger, pepper and a restrained sweet-spice finish.
Add to softened onions before your lentils and liquid. Simmer until tender, then brighten the finished bowl with lemon.
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For fragrant rice & pilaf
Perfumed, layered and warmly spiced.
Cardamom, cinnamon and clove bring the aromatic lift that makes a simple pot of rice feel like the centerpiece.
Stir a little into softened onions before adding rice and cooking liquid. Let the finished rice rest, then fluff gently.
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For rich braises & savory depth
Deeper, earthier and pepper-forward.
A more assertive profile for lamb, beef and rich sauces, with warm aromatics that stand up to browned onions and long cooking.
Use in the onion base of a braise, then add liquid and continue your recipe. A tiny late addition can refresh the aroma.
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For tea, warm drinks & sweet dishes
Cardamom and cinnamon. A ginger lift.
A sweet-spiced direction for your cup or dessert, with clove and a lingering peppery-anise finish. Add tea and sweetness separately.
Warm gently with milk or a suitable alternative, add brewed tea to taste, and sweeten if desired. Strain for a smoother cup.
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For the final aromatic flourish
Fragrant, perfumed and expressive.
Cardamom, cinnamon and warm spice deliver a fresh aromatic layer when a curry, dal or vegetable dish is nearly ready.
Turn down the heat on a finished lentil soup. Stir in a small pinch, let it disperse, and taste before increasing.
From $9.99 USD
Explore this blendMake the aroma work for you
The moment you add a masala changes what you notice first. Try this simple approach with the savory blends.
Stir the cooking blend into softened onions with a little oil, then add your liquid. Keep the heat gentle so the ground spices do not scorch.
Let the spice settle into the sauce. Taste for salt and acidity before adding more masala; extra spice is not always what a flat dish needs.
Add a small pinch of Finishing Garam Masala near the end. Taste again before adding more—its job is a fresh burst of fragrance.
The complete collection
Both sets contain Chicken, Chai, Soup & Dal, Vegetable, Biryani & Rice, Lamb & Red Meat, and Finishing. The difference is pouch size.
For exploring and gifting
Seven 4 oz fresh-sealed pouches
Meet every blend, discover your favorites, and give each dish a different aromatic direction.
$104.99 USD
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For the kitchen that cooks often
Seven 8 oz fresh-sealed pouches
The same seven blends in larger pouches, ready for repeat favorites and more ambitious cooking.
$201.99 USD
Explore the setSets contain pouches. Individual 4 oz products are sold in shaker jars.
Try a small tasting
Divide a plain cooked lentil base into three equal portions. Gently cook a little Chicken, Soup & Dal, or Vegetable masala into each, following the individual starting amounts. Keep the salt and liquid the same. Compare the aroma, earthy depth and finish before choosing your favorite.
Save Chai for a separate tea tasting, and try Finishing as a final pinch rather than an early addition.
Choose the food you already cook most. Vegetable is an easy starting point for potatoes and cauliflower; Soup & Dal suits lentils and beans; Chicken is built for savory curries and roasts. Chai and Finishing have more specific roles.
Here, warm describes aromatic spices such as cinnamon, cardamom and clove. It is not a measured chile-heat rating. These blends have different profiles; read the individual guide before choosing.
It is an aromatic spice blend for drinks and sweet dishes. You add your own tea, milk and sweetener. Start with 1/8 teaspoon per cup of liquid and strain if you prefer a smoother drink.