Advieh (Also called adwiya) is a Persian spice mix that many associate with garam masala.
The word advieh translates to "spice," and an advieh Persian spice blend could contain one or many different spices – depending on the recipe. It is common to see the mix vary from house to house, but typically you will see the following ingredients appear time and time again; Caraway, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, coriander, cumin, ginger, nutmeg, paprika, rose petal, saffron, and turmeric.
The blend dates back more than 2,000 years to the time of Cyrus the Great. This period had enormous influence over the Middle East and India, with many dishes rooted in Ancient Persian cuisine. India's spice-centric style of cooking is believed to have descended from Persia's love of seasoning and use of multiple flavours at once.
As an ancient blend, advieh Persian spice has been subjected to specific cultural practices; for example, in some regions, advieh is only blended by the woman in charge of a household or the spice merchant she buys the blend from.
Nowadays, anyone can blend and enjoy the exquisite taste and aroma of advieh.
What does advieh taste like?
Because there is no set ingredients list, this blend's flavour can change; however, regularly occurring ingredients bring familiarity. Cumin offers an earthy nuttiness to the mixture, along with a hint of smoky bitterness. Rose petals offer a floral quality, while cloves are piney and fresh.
The flavour of advieh can also depend on each spice or herb's ratio and what has the highest concentration. Many advieh Persian spice blends will, of course, also include the mandatory Persian cooking staple – saffron.
If you would like to try this unique spice to influence your cooking, Leena Spices offer a preservative-free mix.