When we ask what spice people still miss in our assortment, we very often get 'curry powder' as a response. But what many people don't know is that curry powder (in Dutch 'kerriepoeder') is not a spice, but a spice mix. Somewhat confusing, because there are curry leaves (in Dutch 'kerrieblaadjes'). These leaves are widely used in India, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan. They are used to flavor curries, hence the name.
Curry leaves are warm and aromatic, but also have a hint of citrus. However, curry leaves are not suitable for use dried; as soon as you dry them, much of the aroma is lost. Therefore, powder cannot be made from them. Curry powder does not come from the leaves of the curry leaf tree.
To make it even more confusing, there is also a curry plant. This plant gets its name from its leaves which smell like curry. If you let the leaves of the curry plant stew with a dish, it gives off a light curry flavor. However, the leaves of the curry plant are not a standard component of the spice mix curry powder.
Okay, we now know that the curry leaf tree has curry leaves (which don't necessarily taste like curry) and that the curry plant has leaves that give off a light curry flavor. But what exactly is curry powder? Curry powder is a mix of spices used to flavor a curry. And the best curry powder... you make it yourself, of course!
