The finest of India's cuisines is as rich and diverse as it's civilization. It is an art form that has been passed on through generations purely by word of mouth, from guru teacher) to vidhyarthi (pupil) or from mother to daughter. The range assumes astonishing proportions when one takes into account regional variations. Very often the taste, colour, texture and appearance of the same delicacy changes from state to state.
The hospitality of the Indians is legendary. In Sanskrit Literature the three famous words 'Atithi Devo Bhava' or 'the guest is truly your god' are a dictum
of hospitality in India. Indians believe that they are honoured if they share their mealtimes with guests. Even the poorest look forward to guests and are willing to share this meager food with guest. And of particular importance is the Indian woman's pride that she will not let a guest go away unfed or unhappy from her home. Indians are known for their incredible ability to serve food to their guests invited or uninvited.
Food customarily forms the crowning part of most festivities and celebrations. Whatever the occasion Indians eat with great gusto and are adept at finding reasons to feast and make merry. At traditional and festive meals, the thali (plate) or banana leaf is decorated with rangoli (a design drawn with white and colored powders around the edges).
- A combination of spices are used in most dishes
- Indian Cuisine varies depending on the region you are visiting
- Rice and aata (a special type of whole wheat flour) are staples of India Cuisine
- Remember to observe Indian cuisine etiquette
- Festivals are occasions for feasting - each offering a range of mouthwatering dishes
As well as spices, Indian cuisine is known for its rice. Rice is served with almost every meal. Roti (Indian bread made of a special type whole wheat flour) is also a staple element to the Indian diet. While rice is more readily consumed in the North, wheat (namely roti) is the starch of choice in the South. Roti, which is unleavened bread made with fine whole wheat flour and cooked on a hotplate (or tawa). Delicious naan bread is also a firm favorite to be eaten with most curries.
The various regions comprising India offer differing cuisine. For example; along the coast, you can enjoy a diverse range of freshly caught seafood and coconuts; the desert cuisines of Rajasthan and Gujarat make great use of preserves (dals and achars) to substitute for the relative lack of fresh vegetables; in the region of Tamil, the use of tamarind is to impart sourness; in Andhra, be prepared for hot cuisine, as the locals enjoy their chillies!
India probably has more vegetarians than the rest of the world combined. But goat, lamb and chicken are often enjoyed in Indian cuisine. Religious taboos make beef forbidden to Hindus and pork to Muslims.
Indians love sweet things. There is a mind boggling array of sweets available across the country, one of the favorites being rice pudding!
In Indian cuisine, food is categorized into six tastes - sweet, sour, salty, spicy, bitter and astringent. A well-balanced Indian meal contains all six tastes.
There are a multitude of restaurants to choose from at which to sample Indian cuisine - from gourmet to simple ‘fast food',. Besides main dishes, various snacks are widely popular in Indian cuisne, such as samosa, aloo tikka, pooris, kachoris and kababs wrapped in roti, which are readily available at all food joints. samosas of all shapes and sizes as well as aloo tikka, bhajia, pooris and kachoris. In the north enjoy kebabs wrapped in warm bread.
Several customs are associated with the way in which food is consumed. Traditionally, in the home, meals are eaten while sitting on the floor or on very low stools, eating with the fingers of the right hand. Ensure you wash your hands before the main meal. Wait to be served food or until you are invited to help yourself. Its customary to use your right hand for eating and other social acts such as shaking hands, the left is used for unsavory actions such as toilet duties and removing dirty shoes.
