The moment October hits, America collectively decides it’s pumpkin-spice season. And while I’ll never say no to a cozy latte, I can’t help but think — there’s a whole world of spice beyond cinnamon sprinkles and nutmeg dust.
I grew up in India, surrounded by the sounds of mustard seeds popping, turmeric-stained fingertips, and the smell of cumin roasting in ghee. Then I moved to the U.S. — where “Indian food” was often reduced to takeout menus and fluorescent curry pastes. That gap between what I knew and what I found inspired me to start Masala On My Mind: a modern destination to redefine how we view, shop for, and cook Indian food in America.
Our mission? To make Indian flavors effortless, elevated, and accessible — no fifteen-ingredient shopping lists, no cultural gatekeeping. Just bold, balanced, beautiful flavor.
So as fall settles in, here are five simple, grounded, and modern ways to bring real spice (and wellness) into your life — inspired by tradition, designed for today.
Forget lemon water — this is the ritual your gut (and your grandparents) actually believed in.
Growing up, I’d watch my grandfather carry around a silver jug of jeera (cumin) water, sipping it all day long to keep his digestion strong and his blood sugar steady. It wasn’t a wellness trend — it was just wisdom, passed down through generations.
Here’s how you make it:
Boil 1 teaspoon of cumin seeds in 1–2 cups of water, simmer for 5–10 minutes, strain, and sip warm.
Why it works:
Stimulates digestion and reduces bloating
Balances blood sugar levels and boosts metabolism
Supports liver function and detoxification
Contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds
Promotes calm, focus, and better sleep
It’s earthy, grounding, and soothing — a warm-up for your body before the world wakes up.
Founder tip: Keep a mason jar of it on your desk or countertop — like my grandfather’s silver jug, but make it modern.
This one’s pure fall magic. We recently hosted a Masala On My Mind × Simply Bhonu workshop with Chef Peri, where we showed how a handful of spices can turn into a fall essential: your own mulling spice blend.
The Base Blend:
2–3 cinnamon sticks
1 tbsp dried orange or lemon peel
1 tsp each: black pepper, cloves, and ginger
1–2 cardamom pods
How to use it:
Simmer with red wine for an instant cozy night-in
Add to apple cider or warm eggnog
Boil into a spiced syrup for cocktails or mocktails
Let it steam on the stove for a natural home fragrance
Mix with avocado oil, balsamic vinegar or lemon juice, garlic, and salt for a warm marinade
If you’re short on time (and let’s be honest, who isn’t?), we’ve made embracing spice blends easier. Our Masala On My Mind blends are crafted to help you recreate Indian comfort dishes — from Parsi curry to a veggie-lentil stew — in 3 easy steps.
Turmeric is having its Western wellness moment — but Indian kitchens have quietly known its power forever. My grandmother didn’t call it “anti-inflammatory”; she just called it “dinner.”
When you sauté your veggies, tofu, or chicken, stir in 1 teaspoon of turmeric and a pinch of black pepper. The pepper boosts turmeric’s active compound, curcumin, so your body absorbs it up to 2000% better.
Use avocado oil — its healthy fats help turmeric shine even more.
You’ll get color, warmth, and a subtle earthiness that makes even a simple stir-fry feel like a little self-care ritual.
If turmeric is the queen, ginger and garlic are her mischievous sidekicks. They make everything taste better — soups, stir-fries, marinades, you name it.
Grate, mince, or chop them fresh for the best flavor. Together, they:
Boost immunity
Warm your body from the inside out
Add richness and depth to everyday cooking
This duo is the heartbeat of Indian flavor — equal parts bold and comforting. Add it to your soup base, toss it into a marinade, or sauté it before your morning eggs for an instant upgrade.
Here’s the real secret: spices don’t belong to one cuisine.
Sweet treats: cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves in pies, oatmeal, pancakes, or your latte.
Savory dishes: sage, thyme, bay leaf, and cumin for rice, pasta, or roasted veggies.
The beauty of Indian spices is how naturally they play well with others — blending seamlessly into your everyday cooking without feeling “too much.” Think of it as flavor without borders.
For me, spice has always been about more than flavor — it’s about connection. It’s the smell of home in a new country, the link between generations, the reminder that food can be both comforting and contemporary.
That’s what Masala On My Mind is all about: bringing Indian flavors into modern American life in a way that feels fresh, intuitive, and joyful.
So this fall, don’t just add spice — embrace it. Sip cumin water like my grandfather did. Roast your veggies in turmeric. Play with mulling spices. And if you need a shortcut, reach for one of our blends — designed to make authentic Indian cooking feel effortless and modern.
Because the future of Indian food in America?
It’s bold. It’s beautiful. And it smells like home.
$132.00
