Garam masala is an aromatic, warming blend of ground spices from the Indian subcontinent, used to add complex flavor to a wide variety of dishes. The specific blend of spices can vary significantly by region and family tradition this one being native to the the East African Indians and Ismailis. While the translation means "hot" or "warm" spices, the blend is not typically hot in a chili-pepper sense, but rather "warming" to the body.