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By
Prakash K Sivanathan Niranjala M EllawalaAbstract
The name translates as 'three or five', as this blend traditionally has three or five ingredients (although every cook in Sri Lanka has their own recipe).
Thuna paha - unroasted curry powder - is best with vegetable dishes. Roasted Sinhalese curry powder - bathapu thuna paha - has more intense flavours than the unroasted version, which means it can stand up to the flavours of meat dishes. It's often sprinkled at the end of cooking to add a fragrant finish.