Both Madras and vindaloo curry powders clearly reflect the South Indian tradition of spice blends. They both consist of South Indian spices and are known for their peppery heat. Another quality that they both have in common is their European heritage—these are both spice blends formulated by Europeans using Indian ingredients. That said, they are two different spice blends with many differences. Let’s compare them.
Table of Contents
- How does vindaloo curry powder differ from Madras curry powder?
- Can you use vindaloo curry powder in place of Madras curry powder? And vice versa?
- When should you use vindaloo curry powder? Madras curry powder?
- Must-read related posts
How does vindaloo curry powder differ from Madras curry powder?
The most important difference between the two blends is the flavor profile. While the blends use similar spices, like cumin, cardamom, and turmeric, they have different histories and were formulated for different groups of Europeans. Vindaloo curry powder’s origins lie in a Portuguese dish called carne de vinha d’alhos, or vinha d’alhos for short – pork marinated in vinegar and spices.
Over the years, both the name and the dish itself have been modified by Indians in the state of Goa. Goa was once a Portuguese colony. Vindaloo curry powder is known for being very hot – in fact it’s typically considered the hottest curry powder blend. The extreme heat is the most noticeable addition by the Goans.
Unlike vindaloo curry powder, Madras curry powder is not used in India. The first Madras curry powder was an attempt to make Indian spices appealing to 19th-century British eaters. For the British, it was an exotic spice blend in an easy-to-use form. Madras curry powder is hotter than standard curry powder, but not as hot as vindaloo curry powder.
The difference in the amount of chili pepper in each blend also leads to another difference: appearance. Vindaloo curry powder has a deeper red color when compared to Madras curry powder, which is typically somewhere between orange and yellow.
It is important to note that the flavor differences between the two spice blends may not be dramatic when vindaloo and Madras curry dishes are made in restaurants. The vindaloo curry powder in many Indian restaurants consists of Madras curry powder with extra chili powder.
Can you use vindaloo curry powder in place of Madras curry powder? And vice versa?
If you want to remain faithful to the flavor profile of your dish, vindaloo curry powder can make an adequate Madras curry powder substitute. It’s best as a sub when it is diluted with standard curry powder to help neutralize some of the heat. You can also add dairy to the dish to make it milder. Even with these steps, it will not be ideal and should not be your first choice when seeking a Madras curry powder substitute.
Madras curry powder can be used as a vindaloo curry powder substitute by adding more chili powder to it to increase its heat.
–> Learn More: What’s A Good Madras Curry Powder Substitute?
When should you use vindaloo curry powder? Madras curry powder?
Use vindaloo curry powder if you like especially spicy food. More specifically, use it to make any of the variations of vindaloo such as beef or goat vindaloo. Since it’s used in India, it’s a terrific option for more authentic Indian curries and Indian cuisine.
Use Madras curry powder to make classic British curry dishes like mulligatawny soup. Madras curry powder is also the better curry recipe spice blend for those where “too spicy” is a concern. Both of these curries have noticeable spiciness, but vindaloo curry powder will traditionally be much hotter.
Must-read related posts
- What Are Some Of The Best Curry Spices? How can you get that delicious curry taste using specific ingredients in your spice rack? Take a look.
- Madras Curry Powder Vs. Generic Curry Powder: How do they compare?
- Cardamom Vs. Cloves: How do they differ in taste? Uses?