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 Gujarati-style of cooking. 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.