A "biryani masala" is a carefully blended spice powder, typically composed of aromatic Indian spices like cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, cumin, coriander, turmeric, and peppercorns, designed to impart a rich, warm, and complex flavor profile specifically to biryani dishes, creating a fragrant and flavorful rice dish with layers of taste when added to meat or vegetables and basmati rice. 
Key points about biryani masala:
Purpose:
Used exclusively to season biryani, a popular South Asian rice dish often containing meat or vegetables. 
Flavor profile:
A blend of warm, earthy, and slightly sweet notes due to the combination of spices. 
Key ingredients:
Cumin, coriander, turmeric, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, bay leaves, black pepper. 
Preparation:
Typically, whole spices are roasted and then ground into a fine powder. 
How to use biryani masala:
Add to the base of your biryani while sautéing onions and spices to infuse the full flavor. 
Can be used for both vegetarian and non-vegetarian biryani variations.