Curry powder is a spice mix inspired by south Asian cuisine. It is a general term mainly used in the Western world. In traditional Indian cuisine, different spice mixes are used depending on the dish being cooked. The word “curry” is derived from the Tamil word “kari” meaning sauce, relish for rice. It is essential for its use as a base for curries, dishes prepared in sauce. It can also be used as a meat rub, as a base for butter sauce or added as dressing.