Refer recipe for details. The garam masala powder contributes to both flavor and aroma. It affects the taste of the curry or any dish if fried in the initial stage of the preparation but contributes to the aroma in a stronger way if sprinkled in powder form towards the end of the cooking process. Garam means heat, and garam masala is a mixture of those spices which create heat in the body – cinnamon, cloves, black pepper and cardamom.