Dagad phool · Kalpasi (Tamil)

Stone flower

Earthy and woody when fried; almost no smell raw.

Forms Dried lichenHeat No heat

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Stone flower in a bowl

Key facts

Hindi nameDagad phool
Also calledKalpasi (Tamil)
FlavourEarthy and woody when fried; almost no smell raw.
HeatNo heat
Sold asDried lichen
StorageKeeps a long time if dry.
Best substituteLeave it out; there is no direct substitute.
Used in4 of our blends and 1 of our dish

How to use it

Used in Chettinad masala, goda masala and some biryani and garam masala blends.

  • Fry briefly in oil to release its flavour.

Substitute

Leave it out; there is no direct substitute.

Storage

Keeps a long time if dry.

Dagad phool is a lichen that grows on rocks and trees.

Pairs well with

Dishes that use stone flower

Blends with stone flower

Goda masala

Maharashtra

A dark, slightly sweet Maharashtrian blend with roasted coconut and sesame.

Biryani masala

Hyderabad and Lucknow

A fragrant blend with more floral spices than garam masala: mace, nutmeg, star anise and rose.

Chettinad masala

Tamil Nadu

A peppery, aromatic blend from the Chettinad region, with stone flower and kapok buds.

Malvani masala

Konkan coast

A fiery coastal blend from the Malvan region of Maharashtra.

Frequently asked questions

What is stone flower called in Hindi?

Dagad phool. Also known as Kalpasi (Tamil).

What can I use instead of stone flower?

Leave it out; there is no direct substitute.

How long does stone flower keep?

Keeps a long time if dry.

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