Indian cuisine is a mixture of diverse cuisines of the peoples living in India. Given the different culture and climatic conditions, dishes under the same name can differ significantly from each other. The food that Indians eat depends on the religion chosen, as well as on traditions and cultural preferences.
History
Historical events such as foreign invasions, trade relations and the era of colonialism have played a role in the emergence of certain products in the country. For example, the potatoes were brought to India by the Portuguese along with chili peppers and bread. Indian cuisine has had a major impact on European cuisines. Spices from India were sold in all European and Asian countries.
Indian cuisine reflects a long history of interaction with various peoples, which has led to a variety of tastes that are found in modern India. Today, the main foods are lentils, rice and whole wheat flour.
Special attention in Indian cuisine is given to vegetarian dishes: sabji - vegetable stew with a huge amount of spices or rice with fresh tortillas.
Forbidden food
In India, it is forbidden to eat beef, because a cow for Hindus is a sacred animal personifying purity and holiness. Since the cow gives milk, from which products for the vegetarian menu are made, in India she is revered as a mother figure. The bull is a symbol of dharma (moral principles).
Indian Cuisine Ingredients
The main products of Indian cuisine are rice, wheat flour, lentils, peas, mung beans and beans. Many dishes are cooked in vegetable oil; peanut butter is often consumed in the north and west of the country, mustard and coconut oil in the east, and sesame oil in the south, which gives the dish a nutty flavor.
What meat is eaten in India? The use of pork is uncharacteristic for Indian cuisine - Indians eat chicken and lamb, but in very small quantities. Fish is cooked only in coastal areas, as well as in the north-east of the country.
Spice
Spices are the most important part of all Indian cuisine. The most popular are: chili peppers, mustard seeds, cardamom, cumin, turmeric, ginger and garlic. Often used garam masala - a mixture of spices, the composition of which differs depending on the region.
Beverages
Tea is the main drink nationwide, as India is the largest tea producer in the world. The most popular varieties are Assam, Darjeeling and Nilgiri. Indian tea is made from a mixture of boiled water, milk and spices (cardamom, cloves and ginger). It is customary to serve cookies to him.
Another popular drink is coffee, which is also grown in some parts of India.
Lassi is a traditional yogurt-based drink. Lassi is sometimes seasoned with ground roasted caraway seeds, sugar, rose water, mango, lemon, strawberries and saffron.
Sharbat is a sweet cold drink made from fruits. It is sometimes served in the form of mashed potatoes, which can be eaten with a spoon, or can be diluted with cold water.
Food throughout the day
What to eat for breakfast in India? Hindus consider breakfast to be especially important for human health. In the morning they prefer to drink tea or coffee, eat vegetable dishes and cottage cheese, rice, fresh tortillas and fruits.
What to eat for lunch in India? A traditional meal usually consists of a main course and two to three types of vegetables. Usually Indians eat while sitting on the floor or on very low chairs (pillows). In South India, hot dishes are often served on banana leaves, which give the food a special flavor.
What do they eat in India for dinner? In the evening, Indians prefer panirian dishes (young and fresh cheese). It can be sauces, soups, mashed potatoes and pastas. Also for dinner, pilaf with thin cakes is often served.
Tips & Warnings
Often the tourists who travel to the country for the first time ask themselves: "What can I eat in India?" First, you need to eat only in well-tested places, and not in street eateries. Experienced travelers are advised to drink water only from bottles bought in stores and to avoid drinks in which they put ice. Secondly, for those who are not used to eating hot, peppered dishes, it is better to get plenty of spices when cooking.
Popular traditional dishes
- Chikken tikka - small pieces of pitted chicken marinated in spices and yogurt and baked on a roasting pan. Usually meat is eaten with green coriander, onion rings and lemon.
- Tandoori chickens - chickens marinated in yogurt and spices, baked in a tandoori oven. After cooking, the chicken becomes a characteristic red color. It is used with rice and wheat tortilla.
- Alu Gobi - A vegetarian dish of potatoes, cauliflower and spices. The dish is yellowish due to the use of turmeric. Other ingredients are garlic, ginger, onions, tomatoes, peas and caraway seeds.
- Baati is unleavened bread that can be stored for a very long time. Baati can be simple or stuffed with onions and peas.
- Bhatura - airy bread made from yogurt, ghee and flour. There is bhatura filled with cottage cheese or potatoes.
- Chaat is a spicy snack, which is a mixture of slices of potatoes, crisp bread, chickpeas, spicy spices and yogurt.
- Chana masala - a dish of chickpeas, onions, finely chopped tomatoes, coriander seeds, garlic, chili, chopped pomegranate seeds and garam masala.
Cuisine of some regions of India
The cuisines of the regions of India are very different from each other. It depends on the geographical location (proximity to the sea, desert or mountains), and on the season (which fruits or vegetables are ripe). So what is eaten in India?
Andaman and Nicobar Islands - an important role in culinary traditions is played by seafood dishes.
Anhra Pradesh - many spices are consumed in this region. The main foods are rice, lentils, stews and curries. An integral part of the local cuisine can be called pickles and tomato marinade.
Arunachal Pradesh - in this region they love rice, fish and meat with lettuce. The most popular drink is rice beer made from fermented rice or millet.
Assam - The region's cuisine is a mixture of different local cuisines. Here, the use of spices is slightly limited; rice, river fish, duck meat, chicken and turtles are widely used in food.
Bihar - the cuisine of the region is simple and healthy: dishes of spinach and cottage cheese, fried eggplant and tomatoes, salted bread made from wheat flour, lamb and curry.
Daman and Diu - previously this territory was the colonies of Portugal, so the cuisine here is mixed. Since this is a coastal region, seafood is very popular. In this state, alcohol is often consumed, the products of all well-known alcohol brands can be easily bought at the store.
Delhi - Known for its street food. What they eat in India in Delhi is a mixture of different dishes and recipes: here you can try traditional Indian ice cream and sweets, as well as European sandwiches and burgers.
Goa has a tropical climate in this state, which means that they use a lot of spices. Goa cuisine is mainly seafood, rice and meat. Since this is a tourist destination, you can find many cafes serving international dishes.
Those products that are eaten in India, according to tradition, should be taken only with clean hands and cooked in a clean kitchen. You need to eat moderately, do not overeat and be sure to consider the compatibility of products.