Each family uses different types of chillies to make the base. Kashmiri chillies are a staple in many dishes because of their deep red hue and ability to temper the heat without overpowering the dish. Other pungent chillies, including Resham Patti, Bedki, Bird’s Eye, and Sankeshwari, can also be used to make the base.
Spices are laid out for drying in the courtyard of Marthahil, a heritage home at Vasai that has been the residence of an East Indian family for more than 150 years. The masala-making season usually lasts from March until May. Earlier, drying spices in the open was a common sight in East Indian neighbourhoods, though the practice is declining as people nowadays opt to buy masala from the market.
Spices purchased at wholesale markets are sun-dried for two to three days to remove moisture. This usually happens once a year in the summer. After the rainy season ends in October, some households may decide to make another batch of masala.
Typically, one might purchase spices from vendors selling dried chillies at wholesale marketplaces. The masala's bright red colour and pungent flavour are derived from Kashmiri chillies used to make the base, though other varieties may also be used.