Masala list for students going abroad
Packing for a university course overseas means choosing what really matters from home. For most Indian students, masala is near the top of that list. Here is a practical list built around what students actually cook in a shared kitchen, using Vasant Masala packs that travel well.
The six everyday spices
With these six, a student can cook dal, jeera rice, sabzi, rajma and most home-style curries.
- Haldi (turmeric powder): Goes into almost every dal and sabzi. A 100G pack lasts a long time for one person.
- Lal mirch (red chilli powder): Heat and colour. If the student prefers mild food, pack Kashmiri chilli for colour with less heat.
- Dhania (coriander powder): Mild and used generously in gravies, so it runs out first.
- Jeera (cumin seeds): For tadka and jeera rice. Whole seeds keep their aroma longer than powder.
- Garam masala: The finishing spice for chhole, rajma, paneer and biryani.
- Hing: A pinch in dal tadka. A 25G pack is enough to start.
Blended masalas worth the suitcase space
Blends save time and cupboard space, because one pack replaces several whole spices. Pick the ones for dishes the student already knows how to make.
- Chai masala for masala tea on cold mornings
- Sambhar masala for sambhar with rice or idli
- Chhole masala for chhole with canned chickpeas, which are easy to find abroad
- Pav bhaji masala for a Mumbai weekend meal with flatmates
- Kitchen king masala as an all-purpose sabzi masala
- Kasuri methi for a restaurant-style finish on paneer and dal
How much to pack
There is no single right amount; it depends on luggage allowance, how often the student cooks and whether flatmates share. A sensible start is 100G of each everyday spice and one or two blends, and more can follow with relatives who visit. Sealed pouches weigh little, so a full starter set adds only a small amount to the checked bag.
Packing tips
- Keep masala in its sealed, labelled pack. It stays fresh and is easier to declare.
- Pack all spices together in a zip bag in checked luggage, away from clothes.
- Label the zip bag in English if the pack text is mostly in Hindi or Gujarati.
- Once there, store opened packs in airtight containers away from the stove.
Customs
Most countries ask travellers to declare food, and rules vary. Read the country guides for the USA, the UK, Canada and Australia, and always check the official customs website before flying.
Order the list from Masala365
Masala365 is an authorised Vasant Masala distributor in Kandivali West. Add the starter list to your cart, tick "This masala is going abroad", and send the order on WhatsApp. We deliver in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Thane for ₹39 per KG. We do not ship internationally.
