The world is suddenly waking up to the goodness of Indian food. So, why this sudden interest in this cuisine? We guess it is the addition of spices. As we are discovering, spices help flavor your foods and enable you to prevent diseases, and keep you healthy in the long run. For instance, spices like turmeric have been native to Indian cuisine for times immemorial.
Today, turmeric is big news, thanks largely to its curcumin compound with several disease protective capacities. No wonder, turmeric is sneaking its way to the milk, or gravies and curries. Indian foods stand out for more reasons than one.
Whether it is the flavorful biryani or the sumptuous Butter Chicken, there is more variety than you can ever imagine. You can find something for every occasion in Indian cuisine. There is Indian food for every food connoisseur out there. If you haven’t tasted a hearty full-course meal, then you should give it a try! So, here are more reasons to like the spicy yet flavorful Indian food.
Diversity
India is a diverse country boasting of diverse cultures and a rich history which, each state of India has a unique dish to boast of. Wherever you travel, you will find a unique dish that speaks a lot about that particular cuisine. So, if you head south, you will love the soft and fluffy idlis to crisp dosas paired with sumptuous chutneys and sambhars. Head north, and you can tingle your taste buds with hot parathas laced with white butter. You could also treat your tastebuds to some delectable butter chicken, head east.
You can have delicious and spicy mustard-laced fish preparations with white rice. Head west, and you will be treated with soft fluffy flatbreads and sabzis, and buttermilk. And we have just mentioned a few of the dishes. We haven’t touched the sweatmeats that can send you straight to gastronomical heaven. Well, if you are a foodie and you know it, you must visit India to savor its rich, diverse cuisines.
Complex Yet Delicious
Why do Indian foods, taste so good? Well, mainly because it takes a lot of time to prepare. Not all, but some foods are cooked for more than one day? It is what lends its unique touch. For instance, this dish called Nihari takes ages to prepare as it is marinated with a lot of spices and then slowly cooked to perfection. At the end of it, the meat is tender, succulent, and spicy, just the way they like it and you would like it too. If you are planning to learn the art of Indian cooking, it may take time to master, but the results will be worth the effort you do.
Indian vs. Western Meals
A typical Western meal may contain flavors that match each other. Indian dishes mix ingredients that don’t overlap in flavor. Instead, each spice finds its place in the dish and lends its distinctive taste. Scientists created a food chart mapping foods with everyday ingredients and chemical grounds.
Some of the ingredients in Indian cuisines, such as cinnamon, garlic, onions, beans, bell peppers, ginger, cayenne, cumin, and asafoetida, do not resemble each other in terms of flavor. However, when put together, they become a zesty, robust, unique flavor. Scientists even examined over 2,000 Indian dishes and found out of the possible 381 cooking ingredients, Indians use at least 200 of them.
Spices and Herbs
Most native houses won’t use powdered spices in their dishes. Instead, they use whole spices that lend a beautiful aroma to it, turning it into a heady melange of aroma and taste. Indians have a unique technique of roasting their herbs and spices. They then gride the spices with stone crushers, mortar, and pestles that make each dish as unique as they come. When you sit down to an Indian meal and eating it with your hands, the bursting of flavors into your mouth is amazing!
Craving for some Indian foods? You can easily head to an Indian restaurant to taste the flavors. However, the best way to taste the authentic flare is by visiting somebody’s home and eat there. You are not likely to forget the meal in a hurry! And the best part is it would boost health too while treating your taste buds!
