A study is conducted at the Regional Agricultural Research Station, Pilicode for developing an instant curry paste with coconut kernel as base material which is in line with a traditional cuisine in Malabar region of Kerala. Spicy curry paste from desiccated coconut was prepared without any preservatives using virgin coconut oil, salt, curry leaf, guar gum, papaya starch, tapioca starch, jack fruit seed flour, onion powder and garlic powder along with an ideal blend of spices for instant, easy and fast cooking. Spices were used in seven different combinations and proportions in both sambar and chicken curry paste and its consumer acceptability was investigated. All the samples were assessed for proximate compositions and quality changes in the curry paste stored at ambient temperature for 90, 180 and 360 days were monitored. Shelf life study indicated that the samples could be stored for one year or more without spoilage even in the absence of preservatives. Considering the results obtained in sensory analysis, a combination of sambar curry paste: jack fruit seed flour: onion powder: garlic powder: guar gum in the ratios of was adjudged as best for sambar curry paste, while a combination of chicken curry paste: papaya starch: onion powder: garlic powder: guar gum in the ratios of was selected as the best combination for chicken curry paste which could be recommended for commercial production.
