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
Added on
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.)