Topic: Rajah Premium vs Rajah standard Madras powder

[Salvador Dhali]

Salvador,

well pleased on your result. there is a clear difference to me between the "better" curry powders.

what it is has got me baffled though. i've been finger tasting the mix sent by ifindforu for days (eastern star).

the only thing i've picked up on is that turmeric is a tad harsh but i can't see that being the full reason.

There definitely is a difference. According to Michael T, who was so generous in sending the Rajah Premium, it's more expensive than the Rajah Gold, which would indicate a higher quality. (I wasn't aware that Rajah had two grades of commercial powder, to be honest). I'm no sommelier of spices, but as said I can only describe the difference as being less harsh, more rounded, balanced and 'sweeter'.

I've not tried ifindforu's mix, but it would be unlikely that I'd be able to pick up on anything more than the usual stronger tasting suspects in there anyway, so I'm afraid I'll have to leave you in a state of bafflement... 

[JerryM]

if we could put our finger on "why" 2 commercial grades exist it would certainly help get a better understanding.

in general food a commercial difference seem to occur when there is much of a poor grade and little of best grade.

there are a lot of ingredients in curry powder but a few stick out as potential contenders - turmeric is my bet with the other contender being chiili powder.

my interest being to increase the turmeric in base and reduce the proportion in mix. this would give that smoothness without having to source the deluxe stuff. it really is finger in the air though.

[martinvic]

Following this, think I might give this a try instead of a mix powder in one of my curries tonight.

Phil was having good results in his interesting thread, using curry powder as a nucleus. http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/curry/index.php?topic=7904.0

Martin