The gastronomical commitment of a nation like India are hard to pin down. The diversity of India is reflected in the eating habits of its inhabitants as well. Over centuries as various people immigrated and mingled within the present borders of India the eating habits blended and fused to create its own style.
While the use of spices and herbs are not exclusive to Indian food, it’s used most generously in the subcontinent. Ancient trade links suggest that the spices from India were a high values commodity in Greece and China.
Another interesting phenomenon about food in India is how it is engrained within the cultural fabric of particular communities in particular regions. Many have (for the sake of simplicity) divided Indian food in accordance to its regions: North Indian, South Indian, East Indian and West Indian. Others have divided Indian food on the bases of its staple ingredient: rice, and wheat. Further, some have also drawn the line in terms of vegetarians and meat eating. Yet, classification of food and eating habits are not that simple.
Besides its diversity, it is also the sweetmeat tradition or mithai of India that makes Indian food unique. South Asian sweets are usually made with sugar, milk and condensed milk, and cooked by frying. The bases of the sweets and other ingredients vary by region. Mithai are also offered to gods and served during an auspicious occasion. For more information of Indian Mithai please click here.
| Paan: The paan culture is declinging yet significant part of the Indian cultural ethos. Traditionally, Paan is a prepared by wrapping areca nut and cured tobacco. Paan is chewed and finally spat out or swallowed. Paan has many variations. Slaked lime paste is commonly added to bind the leaves. The use of tobacco in paan causes cancer , while the red saliva notoriously spit in public places is a source of staina dn biological waste production. The metha paan (sweet paa), made without tobacco proves to be quite a mouth freshener. |
To learn how to cook Indian food please click here.
To read about the history of food in India please click here.
At every nook and corner in India you will find a new kind of street food. Delicious and inexpensive street food provides an easy meal. The diversity of food in India is rivaled by the diversity in street food of India. Bhel-puri, pani-puri, channa, and the various kinds of chat are but a few of the street food available in India. India offers a range of innovative eating traditions. To read more please click here.
