Masala

This specifically refers to the mix of spices in Indian food.

However, there is also idiomatic usage meaning “mixture” or “co-mingling.”

Why I Looked It Up

In The Shortest History of India, it was used idiomatically twice:

Not officially recognized by also becoming ubiquitous is “Hinglish” – a masala of Hindi and English.

And:

In the 1970s and 80s, so-called “masala” movies mixing action, romances, and comedy.

I also remember a movie from the 1990s called Mississippi Masala, which was about interracial romance involving Indians.

Postscript

The theme for a NY Times game Connections was “MASALACHAI,” and the answers where:

• Clove
• Nutmeg
• Anise
• Cinnamon
• Pepper
• Nutmeg
• Cardamon

Masala Chai is a particular style of tea, but there doesn’t seem to be a canonical recipe.

(Remember that “masala” really just means “mixture of spices.” It doesn’t specify which spices.)