According to spice master Amer Al-kithiri, who has run a spice business for 34 years, pilau mix is a mixture of five whole spices including whole cardamom, whole cinnamon, whole cloves, whole black peppercorns and whole cumin jeera.
It can, however, vary depending on different cultures; some people like to enrich it with star anise spice, bay leaf and coriander seeds. The difference between whole pilau mix and pilau masala is that pilau mix is whole while pilau masala is ground and comes in powder form.