Curry Spice Blend Calculator

Yes — the four category percentages (Base, Complementary, Heat/Accent, and Aromatic Herbs) must sum to 100% for the calculations to be accurate. The calculator will warn you if your total is off. Adjust each slider until the percentage total shown in the results reads 100%.

The gram weights are mathematically exact based on the percentages and total blend weight you enter. However, real-world results depend on how finely ground your spices are and how fresh they are — denser or coarser grinds can affect volume. For best results, weigh your spices on a kitchen scale rather than measuring by teaspoon.

You can substitute a similar spice within the same category. For example, if you don't have fenugreek, you can use a pinch of celery seed in the Complementary category. Just keep the total grams for that category the same. The blend will taste slightly different but will still be balanced.

Freshness makes a significant difference in the final flavour. Whole spices stay potent for up to 4 years; ground spices are best used within 1–2 years. A simple test: rub a pinch between your fingers — if you can't smell much, the spice has faded and you may need to use a slightly larger amount.

Spice density varies enormously — one teaspoon of cumin weighs roughly 2.5g, while one teaspoon of turmeric weighs closer to 3g. Using grams eliminates this inconsistency and makes your blend reproducible batch after batch, which is why this calculator works in grams rather than volume units.

Each style preset adjusts the recommended category ratios. For example, Vindaloo shifts more weight into the Heat/Accent category, while Korma reduces heat and increases aromatics. You can use the preset as a starting point and then fine-tune the sliders to match your personal taste.

The category framework — Base, Complementary, Heat/Accent, and Aromatic — applies to almost any spice blend. While this calculator is optimised for Indian curry profiles, the same logic works for garam masala, ras el hanout, or any custom masala you want to develop.

The calculator estimates servings based on approximately 2.5g of spice blend per serving of food (a typical curry for one person). A 100g batch yields around 40 servings. Adjust based on how intensely spiced you prefer your cooking.