Curry powder is made from five spices.
Curry powder is actually an invention of the Western world and is not used in India, home of curry. North India does use a spice mixture called garam masala but it is different from curry powder. Standard curry powders include coriander, turmeric, cumin, fenugreek and red pepper. You can choose to add other spices to your curry powder. Popular spice additions include fennel, caraway, cinnamon, clove, green or black cardamom and nutmeg.
Coriander
Coriander seeds taste slightly like citrus once ripe. Most stores sell coriander whole, but it is easily ground or powdered. The ground form is used in curry powder. As a mild spice, coriander can be used generously to get the most flavor out of it.
Turmeric
Turmeric is a spice from Southeast Asia and causes a yellow tint in dishes, hence the reason many curries are yellow. Turmeric has a strong flavor and is used sparingly in curry powder.
Cumin
Cumin is a key spice in curry powders. Ground cumin creates a spicy taste in curry dishes and enhances the flavor. While cumin has a strong flavor, it is not overpowering so it can be added generously to a curry powder.
Fenugreek
Fenugreek is a spice native to India and southern Europe. The seeds are lightly roasted before being ground. Fenugreek complements other spices in small amounts but can be overpowering if too much is used. Fenugreek's primary use is in curry powders and pairs especially well with fish curries.
Red Pepper
The red pepper used in curry powders is made from dried chili peppers which are then ground into a powder. Use only a very small amount of red pepper in curry powder as it is very spicy.
Cinnamon
Ground cinnamon provides a sweet or savory flavor depending on what it is added to. Cinnamon is traditionally used in North African curry powders.
Nutmeg
Nutmeg is used in a variety of dishes across cultures. When used in a curry powder, nutmeg adds a spicy taste to the dish. Nutmeg doesn't have a strong smell but it packs substantial flavor so use it sparingly in your curry powder.
Cardamom
Cardamom is an expensive spice and is very versatile. It has been used in sweet and savory dishes. Cardamom is stored in whole form, and should be ground just before adding to a curry powder to preserve the flavor.
Fennel
Both a spice and an herb, fennel is a possible addition to a curry powder. Fennel seeds are the spice part of the plant. The fennel seeds are not ground when used in curry powder.
Cloves
Cloves have a strong flavor so use sparingly if adding to a curry powder. Cloves can be bought whole or ground. You will need the spice in ground form for a curry powder.
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