---
product_id: 549305514
title: "The Illustrated Masala Lab: Beautiful New Edition of the Bestselling Book on the Science of Indian Cooking"
price: "R541"
currency: ZAR
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 8
url: https://www.desertcart.co.za/products/549305514-the-illustrated-masala-lab-beautiful-new-edition-of-the-bestselling
store_origin: ZA
region: South Africa
---

# The Illustrated Masala Lab: Beautiful New Edition of the Bestselling Book on the Science of Indian Cooking

**Price:** R541
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** The Illustrated Masala Lab: Beautiful New Edition of the Bestselling Book on the Science of Indian Cooking
- **How much does it cost?** R541 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.co.za](https://www.desertcart.co.za/products/549305514-the-illustrated-masala-lab-beautiful-new-edition-of-the-bestselling)

## Best For

- Customers looking for quality international products

## Why This Product

- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Description

From the Publisher

Review: Mistitled – Should Be “Indian Cooking Lab,” Not “Masala Lab” - This is an outstanding, well-researched book on the science behind Indian cooking. Readers expecting a spice-focused book may be a little disappointed to find that only around 30 of the 293 pages discuss spices. Most of the content explores the science of rice, fats, sugar, meat, cookware, and heat — all in great detail. The book contains only sketches, no photographs. Also, the hardcover edition uses smaller and thinner fonts. So I found the paperback version more comfortable to read. Contents in both the editions are same. Despite these minor issues, this is an excellent and enlightening read.
Review: A treat to read! - The book is a brilliant read not only for cooking enthusiasts but for anyone who'd enjoy a science lesson with a touch of wit. It explains the science behind Indian cooking in layman's terms, you don't need to be a science graduate to understand. I wish my science teachers in school had explained this simply. I love the idea that on which the book is based - that while Indian cooking is treated as a complex art, one that cannot be taught unless it has been passed down to you from your ancestors, if you understand the science that goes behind it then it is not difficult to master. The book aptly notes that lack of proper documentation of Indian cooking techniques, noting the 'why' behind them, is what makes everyone wary of it. The amount of research that's gone into making this book is so evident. A treat to read!

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| Best Sellers Rank | #5,417 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #2 in Children's Books on Diet & Nutrition #3 in Technology Books for Young Adults #5 in Chemistry Textbooks |
| Customer Reviews | 4.7 out of 5 stars 118 Reviews |

## Images

![The Illustrated Masala Lab: Beautiful New Edition of the Bestselling Book on the Science of Indian Cooking - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91E7xabpU+L.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Mistitled – Should Be “Indian Cooking Lab,” Not “Masala Lab”
*by D***Y on 6 January 2026*

This is an outstanding, well-researched book on the science behind Indian cooking. Readers expecting a spice-focused book may be a little disappointed to find that only around 30 of the 293 pages discuss spices. Most of the content explores the science of rice, fats, sugar, meat, cookware, and heat — all in great detail. The book contains only sketches, no photographs. Also, the hardcover edition uses smaller and thinner fonts. So I found the paperback version more comfortable to read. Contents in both the editions are same. Despite these minor issues, this is an excellent and enlightening read.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A treat to read!
*by R***V on 2 June 2024*

The book is a brilliant read not only for cooking enthusiasts but for anyone who'd enjoy a science lesson with a touch of wit. It explains the science behind Indian cooking in layman's terms, you don't need to be a science graduate to understand. I wish my science teachers in school had explained this simply. I love the idea that on which the book is based - that while Indian cooking is treated as a complex art, one that cannot be taught unless it has been passed down to you from your ancestors, if you understand the science that goes behind it then it is not difficult to master. The book aptly notes that lack of proper documentation of Indian cooking techniques, noting the 'why' behind them, is what makes everyone wary of it. The amount of research that's gone into making this book is so evident. A treat to read!

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Pages are of poor quality
*by A***I on 29 October 2024*

The content in the book is quite good but the quality of the pages in the book is quite bad. Pages are yellow and has a very rough feeling.

## Frequently Bought Together

- The Illustrated Masala Lab: The Science of Indian Cooking
- Masala Lab: The Science of Indian Cooking

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*Product available on Desertcart South Africa*
*Store origin: ZA*
*Last updated: 2026-03-07*