Curry Heat In Order: From Mild to Spiciest

Whether you’re a spice newbie or a seasoned spice lover, understanding the different levels of heat in curries helps you choose the right dish to fit your palate. Curry is a widely popular dish across the globe, and the heat factor varies from region to region. Every curry has a unique blend of spices with its unique hotness level. This blog will guide you through the heat levels of curry from mild to spiciest, including a list of the popular curries.

Mild Curries

Mild curries are most suited for those who are not used to consuming spicy food but still seek flavorful curry dishes. These curries taste rich, creamy, and aromatic but have a tame spice quotient. Here are some popular mild curries:

Korma

Korma is a mouth-watering curry that originates from Indian or Pakistani cuisine. It’s a mildly spiced curry made from a mixture of coconut, cream or yoghurt, and spices, perfect for people who don’t like or can’t handle the heat. The base of the curry is mostly tomato and onion, which helps in reducing the heat levels.

Tikka Masala

Tikka Masala has become a famous curry in the UK. This mildly spicy curry is made using chicken tikka, cooked in tomato-based cream gravy with essential spices such as cinnamon, cumin, coriander, and turmeric. This curry is the perfect balance of flavor, creaminess, and mild heat.

Butter Chicken

Butter Chicken is widely known as the Indian version of Tikka Masala. This curry is made using diced chicken, which is cooked in a creamy tomato-based sauce, making it mild and appetizing. The Butter Chicken’s aroma and flavors prevail in every bite, making it a perfect pick for mild curry lovers.

Medium Curries

Medium curries are the right fit for spice lovers who seek a balanced curry that has a medium heat level. These curries are made with an even blend of spices and seasoning, which provides the perfect balance of flavor and heat level. Some popular medium curries include:

Rogan Josh

Rogan Josh is a staple dish from the Kashmiri region of India. It’s a medium-spiced curry consisting of caramelized onions, ginger, and garlic paste, with a blend of herbs like cardamom, cinnamon, and bay leaf. The spices and seasonings in this curry provide a warm aftertaste that lingers in the mouth, creating a satisfying flavor profile.

Vindaloo

Vindaloo is a fiery Goan curry that has become a popular dish worldwide. The curry is made with vinegar, chili peppers, ginger, and garlic paste, providing an intense flavor and a medium level of heat. Vindaloo has a unique taste profile and is ideal for people looking for a spicy dish.

Madras Curry

Madras curry is another popular curry that originated in South India. It is a medium hot curry made using a blend of spices such as coriander, cumin, chili powder, and turmeric, cooked with onions, garlic, ginger, and tomatoes. Madras curry’s taste profile is more tangy than spicy, making it the ideal choice for people who want a taste of curry with a moderate heat level.

Hot Curries

Hot curries are for the bravest of spice lovers who seek a fiery, hot curry dish to experience the burn. These curries are made with a blend of the hottest and spiciest chili peppers, and consuming them can even induce tears and perspiration. Some popular hot curries include:

Phaal Curry

Phaal curry originated in Indian restaurants in Birmingham, UK, and is known for its extreme level of heat. The Phaal curry is made with a mixture of tomato, ginger, garlic, and spices like cumin, coriander, and turmeric, with a generous amount of Bhut Jolokia or Ghost chili pepper, one of the hottest chili peppers in the world. This curry is not recommended for those who cannot handle heat.

Jalfrezi

Jalfrezi is a hot curry that originated in Bengal. It is made from a mixture of fresh onions, red and green peppers, and bird’s-eye chilies, which provide the perfect balance of heat and flavor. This curry’s taste is best described as tangy and spicy, making it a popular choice among spicy food lovers.

Green Curry

Green Curry originates from Thai Cuisine and is made with a paste of green chilies, coriander roots, garlic, and ginger, which provides a hot and intense flavor. This curry is also made with coconut milk, basil, lemongrass, and shrimp or chicken, making it a flavorful dish for brave spice lovers.

Conclusion

Choosing the right curry’s heat level is essential for a delightful meal experience. Spices not only add flavor to a dish but also enhance health benefits. Spice lovers can find their perfect match from the list of mild, medium, and hot curries described above. Experimenting with different types of curry is the best way to find the perfect curry that soothes your cravings.