Indian cuisine

For the cuisine of indigenous people of the Americas, see Native American cuisine.
"Curry House" redirects here. For other uses, see Curry House (disambiguation).

Indian cuisine encompasses a wide variety of regional cuisines native to India. Given the range of diversity in soil type, climate and occupations, these cuisines vary significantly from each other and use locally available spices, herbs, vegetables and fruits. Indian food is also heavily influenced by religious and cultural choices and traditions.

The development of these cuisines have been shaped by Dharmic beliefs, and in particular by vegetarianism, which is a growing dietary trend in Indian society.[1] There has also been Central Asian influence on North Indian cuisine from the years of Mughal rule.[2] Indian cuisine has been and is still evolving, as a result of the nation's cultural interactions with other societies.[3][4]

Historical incidents such as foreign invasions, trade relations and colonialism have also played a role in introducing certain foods to the country. For instance, the potato, a staple of the Indian diet, was brought to India by the Portuguese, who also introduced chillies and breadfruit.[5] Indian cuisine has also shaped the history of international relations; the spice trade between India and Europe is often cited by historians as the primary catalyst for Europe's Age of Discovery.[6] Spices were bought from India and traded around Europe and Asia. It has also influenced other cuisines across the world, especially those from Southeast Asia, the British Isles, and the Caribbean.[7][8]

History

Indian cuisine reflects a 5,000-year history of various groups and cultures interacting with the subcontinent, leading to diversity of flavours and regional cuisines found in modern-day India. Later, Mughal, British and Portuguese influence added to the already diverse Indian cuisine.[9]

Antiquity

A normal diet in early India consisted of legumes, vegetables, fruits, grains, dairy products, honey, and sometimes fish,eggs and meat. Over time, segments of the population embraced vegetarianism. The advent of Buddhism and Jainism affected this shift, as well as an equitable climate permitting a variety of fruits, vegetables, and grains to be grown throughout the year. A food classification system that categorised any item as saatvic, raajsic or taamsic developed in Yoga tradition. The Bhagavad Gita prescribes certain dietary practices (Chapter 17, Verses 8–10).[10] During this period, consumption of beef became taboo, due to cattle being considered sacred in Hinduism.[11] Beef is generally not eaten by Hindus in India.[12]

Middle Ages

During the Middle Ages, several North Indian dynasties were predominant, including the Gupta dynasty. Travellers to India during this time introduced new cooking methods and products to the region, including tea. Northern India was later invaded by Central Asian cultures, which led to the emergence of Mughlai cuisine, a mix of Indian and Central Asian cuisine. Hallmarks include seasonings such as saffron.[13]

Ingredients

Spices at a grocery shop in India

Staple foods of Indian cuisine include pearl millet (bajra), rice, whole-wheat flour (atta), and a variety of lentils, such as masoor (most often red lentils), toor (pigeon peas), urad (black gram), and moong (mung beans). Lentils may be used whole, dehusked—for example, dhuli moong or dhuli urad—or split. Split lentils, or dal, are used extensively.[14] Some pulses, such as channa (chickpeas), rajma (kidney beans), and lobiya (black-eyed peas) are very common, especially in the northern regions. Channa and moong are also processed into flour (besan).

Many Indian dishes are cooked in vegetable oil, but peanut oil is popular in northern and western India, mustard oil in eastern India,[13] and coconut oil along the western coast, especially in Kerala.[15] Gingelly (sesame) oil is common in the south since it imparts a fragrant nutty aroma.[16] In recent decades, sunflower and soybean oils have become popular across India.[17] Hydrogenated vegetable oil, known as Vanaspati ghee, is another popular cooking medium.[18] Butter-based ghee, or desi ghee, is used frequently, though less than in the past. Many types of meat are used for Indian cooking, but chicken and mutton tend to be the most commonly consumed meats. Fish and beef consumption are prevalent in some parts of India, but they are not widely consumed.

Lentils are a staple ingredient in Indian cuisine

The most important and frequently used spices and flavourings in Indian cuisine are whole or powdered chilli pepper (mirch, introduced by the Portuguese in the 16th century), black mustard seed (sarso), cardamom (elaichi), cumin (jeera), turmeric (haldi), asafoetida (hing), ginger (adrak), coriander (dhania), and garlic (lehsun).[19] One popular spice mix is garam masala, a powder that typically includes five or more dried spices, especially cardamom, cinnamon (dalchini), and clove.[20] Each culinary region has a distinctive garam masala blend—individual chefs may also have their own. Goda masala is a comparable, though sweet, spice mix popular in Maharashtra. Some leaves commonly used for flavouring include bay leaves (tejpat), coriander leaves, fenugreek leaves, and mint leaves. The use of curry leaves and roots for flavouring is typical of Gujarati[21] and South Indian cuisine.[22] Sweet dishes are often seasoned with cardamom, saffron, nutmeg and rose petal essences.

Regional cuisines

Cuisine differs across India's diverse regions as a result of variation in local culture, geographical location (proximity to sea, desert, or mountains) and economics. It also varies seasonally, depending on which fruits and vegetables are ripe.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Seafood plays a major role in the cuisine of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.[23] Since the indigenous Andamanese traditionally had very little contact with the outside world, raw fish and fruits have long been a staple diet for them. Immigration from other regions of India, however, has resulted in variations in the cuisine.

Andhra Pradesh

Main article: Telugu cuisine
Pesarattu, a popular Andhra dish, served with kobbari pachadi (chutney made using coconut)

The cuisine of Andhra Pradesh belongs to two Telugu speaking regions of Rayalaseema and Coastal Andhra and part of Telugu cuisine. The food of Andhra Pradesh is known for their heavy use of spices and, similar to South Indian cuisine, the use of tamarind. Both vegetarian and non-vegetarian foods are popular. Seafood is common in the coastal region of the state. Rice is the staple food eaten with lentils like dal and sambar often favorite of many north Indian .With spiced vegetables or curries. Various pickles are part of local cuisine, popular among those are avakaya and gongura. Yogurt is a common addition to meals, as a way of tempering spiciness. Breakfast items include dosa, vada, idli, etc.

Arunachal Pradesh

The staple food of Arunachal Pradesh is rice, along with fish, meat and leaf vegetables.[24] Many varieties of rice are used. Lettuce is the most common vegetable, usually prepared by boiling with ginger, coriander and green chillies.[25] Boiled rice cakes wrapped in leaves are a popular snack. Thukpa is a kind of noodle soup common among the Monpa tribe of the region.[26] Native tribes of Arunachal are meat eaters and use fish, eggs, beef, chicken, pork and mutton to make their dishes. Apong or rice beer made from fermented rice or millet is a popular beverage in Arunachal Pradesh and is consumed as a refreshing drink.[27]

Assam

Main article: Assamese cuisine
Assamese Thali

Assamese cuisine is a mixture of different indigenous styles, with considerable regional variation and some external influences. Although it is known for its limited use of spices,[28] Assamese cuisine has strong flavours from its use of endemic herbs, fruits, and vegetables served fresh, dried or fermented. Fish is widely eaten. Other Non-vegetarian items include chickens, ducks, pigeons, snails, silkworms, insects, mutton, pork, venison and turtle. The region's cuisine involves simple cooking processes, mostly barbecuing, steaming, boiling or fermenting. Bhuna, the gentle frying of spices before the addition of the main ingredients, generally common in Indian cooking, is absent in the cuisine of Assam. A traditional meal in Assam begins with a khar, a class of dishes named after the main ingredient and ends with a tenga, a sour dish. As one goes through an Assamese meal, one is taken through a range of pH, starting from acidic and ending in alkaline. Homebrewed rice beer or rice wine is served before a meal. The food is usually served in bell metal utensils.[29] Paan, the practice of chewing betel nut, generally concludes a meal.[30]

Bihar

Main article: Bihari cuisine
See also: Bhojpuri cuisine and Mithila (India)
Roasted stuffed Litti from Bihar
Palak paneer, a dish made from spinach and paneer (cottage cheese)

Bihari cuisine is wholesome and simple. Litti chokha, a baked salted wheat flour cake filled with sattu (baked chickpea flour) and some special spices, is well known among the middle-class families.[31][32] Among meat dishes, Meat saalan is a popular dish made of mutton or goat curry with cubed potatoes in garam masala. Dalpuri is another popular dish in Bihar. It is salted wheat flour bread, filled with boiled, crushed and fried gram pulses. Malpua is a popular sweet dish of Bihar, prepared by a mixture of maida, milk, bananas, cashew nuts, peanuts, raisins, sugar, water and green cardamom. Another notable sweet dish of Bihar is Balushahi, which is prepared by a specially treated combination of maida and sugar along with ghee. During the festival of Chhath, thekua, a sweet dish made of ghee, jaggery, and whole-meal flour, flavoured with aniseed, is made.[31]

Chandigarh

Though Chandigarh has most of the things inspired from the Punjabi cuisine, Gol Gappa (known as Panipuri in other places) is a famous dish. It consists of a round, hollow puri, fried crisp and filled with a mixture of flavored water among other ingredients. In this region, any street food is the most famous eatable.

Because of inspiration from Punjabi cuisine, people enjoy home-made recipes like Paratha, especially at breakfast, and other Punjabi foods like Roti made from corn flour (Makki) with Sarson da saag. Dal makhani is also a famous dish among others.[33]

Chhattisgarh

Chhattisgarh cuisine uses many foods not found in the rest of India, although the staple food is rice, like in much of the country. Many Chhattisgarhi people drink liquor brewed from the Mahuwa flower.[34] The tribal people of the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh eat whatever is available: mushrooms, squirrels, bamboo pickle, bamboo vegetables, etc.[19][35]

Dadra and Nagar Haveli

The local cuisine shows resemblances with the cuisine of Gujarat. Ubadiyu is a local delicacy made up of vegetables and beans with herbs. The common foods include rice, roti, vegetables, river fishes and crab. People also enjoy buttermilk and chutney made up of different fruits and herbs.[36]

Daman and Diu

Daman and Diu is a union territory of India which, like Goa, was a former colonial possession of Portugal. Consequently, both native Gujarati food and traditional Portuguese food are common. Being a coastal region, the communities are mainly dependent on seafood. Normally, Rotli and tea are taken for breakfast, Rotla and saag for lunch, and chokha along with saag and curry are taken for dinner. Some of the dishes prepared on festive occasions include puri, lapsee, potaya, dudh-plag, and dhakanu.[37] While alcohol is prohibited in the neighbouring state of Gujarat, drinking is common in Daman and Diu. All popular brands of alcohol are readily available.

Delhi

Rajma-Chawal, curried red kidney beans with steamed rice

Delhi was once the capital of the Mughal Empire, where it is the birthplace of Mughlai cuisine and is thus known for Mughlai cuisine. Delhi is noted for its street food. The Paranthewali Gali in Chandani Chowk is just one of the culinary landmarks for stuffed flatbread (Paranthas). Delhi has people from different parts of India and thus the city has different types of food traditions its cuisine is influenced by from the various cultures. Punjabi cuisine is common, due to the dominance of Punjabi communities.[38] Delhi cuisine is actually an amalgam of different Indian cuisines modified in unique ways. This is apparent in the different types of street food available. Kababs, kachauri, chaat, Indian sweets, Indian ice cream (commonly called kulfi), and even western food items like sandwiches and patties are prepared in a style unique to Delhi and are immensely popular.[39] .

Goa

Main article: Goan cuisine
Pork Vindaloo (pictured). Vindaloo is a popular curry dish in Goa and around the world.

The area has a tropical climate, which means the spices and flavours are intense. Use of kokum is a distinct feature of the region's cuisine. Goan cuisine is mostly seafood and meat-based; the staple foods are rice and fish. Kingfish (Vison or Visvan) is the most common delicacy, and others include pomfret, shark, tuna, and mackerel; these are often served with coconut milk.[40] Shellfish, including crabs, prawns, tiger prawns, lobster, squid and mussels are commonly eaten. The cuisine of Goa is influenced by its Hindu origins, four hundred years of Portuguese colonialism, and modern techniques.[40][41] Bread is eaten with most of the meals. Frequent tourism in the area gives Goan food an international aspect. Vegeterinism is equally popular.[42]

Gujarat

Main article: Gujarati cuisine
Khaman is a popular Gujarati snack.
Vegetable Handva is a salty dinner dish.

Gujarati cuisine is primarily vegetarian. The typical Gujarati thali consists of roti (rotli in Gujarati), daal or kadhi, rice, sabzi/shaak, papad and chaas (buttermilk). The sabzi is a dish of different combinations of vegetables and spices which may be stir fried, spicy or sweet.[43] Gujarati cuisine can vary widely in flavour and heat based on personal and regional tastes. North Gujarat, Kathiawad, Kachchh, and South Gujarat are the four major regions of Gujarati cuisine.[44] Many Gujarati dishes are simultaneously sweet, salty (like Vegetable Handva), and spicy. In mango season, keri no ras (fresh mango pulp) is often an integral part of the meal. Spices also vary seasonally. For example, garam masala is used less in summer. Regular fasting, with diets limited to milk, dried fruit, and nuts, is a common practice.[45]

Haryana

Cattle being common in Haryana, dairy products are a common component of its cuisine.[46][47] Specific dishes include kadhi, pakora, besan masala roti, bajra aloo roti, churma, kheer, bathua raita, methi gajar, singri ki sabzi, and tamatar chutney.

Lassi, sharbat, and nimbu pani are three popular non-alcoholic beverages in Haryana. Liquor stores are common there, which cater to a large number of truck drivers.[48]

Himachal Pradesh

The daily diet of Himachal people is similar to that of the rest of North India, including lentils, broth, rice, vegetables, and bread, although non-vegetarian cuisine is preferred. Some of the specialities of Himachal include sidu, patande, chukh, rajmah and til chutney.[49]

Jammu and Kashmir

Rogan Josh is a popular Kashmiri dish.

The cuisine of Jammu and Kashmir is from three regions of the state Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. Kashmiri cuisine has evolved over hundreds of years. Its first major influence was the food of the Kashmiri Hindus and Buddhists. The cuisine was later influenced by the cultures which arrived with the invasion of Kashmir by Timur from the area of modern Uzbekistan. Subsequent influences have included the cuisines of Central Asia, Persia, and the North Indian plains. The most notable ingredient in Kashmiri cuisine is mutton, of which there are over 30 varieties.[50] Wazwan is a multicourse meal in the Kashmiri Muslim tradition, the preparation of which is considered an art.[51]

Kashmiri Pandit food is elaborate, and an important part of the Pandits' ethnic identity. Kashmiri Pandit cuisine usually uses yogurt, oil, and spices such as turmeric, red chilli powder, cumin, ginger, and fennel, though they do not use onion and garlic.[52]

Jharkhand

Traditional Jharkhand dishes are not available at restaurants, as they have not been commercialised. Prepared exclusively in tribal regions, this cuisine uses oil and spices infrequently, except for pickle production and special occasions. Baiganee Chop, a snack made of brinjal slices or eggplant, is popular in Jharkhand. Thekua is a sweet dish made of sugar, wheat, flour and chopped coconuts. Hadia, which is made out of paddy rice is a refreshing drink.[53] A wide variety of recipes are prepared with different types of rice in Jharkhand, including recipes like Dhuska, Pittha, and different kinds of Rotis prepared with rice.

Karnataka

Main article: Cuisine of Karnataka
Karnataka food served on a plantain leaf
Bisi bele bath, a delicacy in Karnataka made of rice, lentils, spices and vegetables

Varieties in the cuisine of Karnataka has similarities with its three neighbouring South Indian states, as well as the states of Maharashtra and Goa to its North. Typical dishes include bisi bele bath, jolada rotti, badanekai yennegai, Holige, Kadubu, chapati, idli vada, ragi rotti, akki rotti, saaru, hulu, vangibath, khara bath, kesari bhath, benne dose, ragi mudde, and uppittu. The Kodagu district is known for spicy pork curries,[54] while coastal Karnataka specialises in seafood. Although the ingredients differ regionally, a typical Kannadiga Oota (Kannadiga meal) is served on a banana leaf. The coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi have slightly varying cuisines, which make extensive use of coconut in curries and frequently include seafood.[55][56]

Kerala

Main article: Cuisine of Kerala
A full-course Sadya is the ceremonial meal of Kerala eaten usually on celebrations (like Onam, Vishu etc.) and is served on a plantain leaf
Spicy fish from Kerala

Traditional Kerala food is vegetarian and includes Kerala Sadhya, which is an elaborate banquet prepared for festivals and ceremonies but contemporary Kerala food also includes Non-vegetarian dishes. A full-course Sadya, which consits of rice with about twenty different accompaniments and desserts is the ceremonial meal of Kerala eaten usually on celebrations like marriages, Onam, Vishu, etc. and is served on a plantain leaf. Kerala Cuisine is unique in a sense because of its rich trading heritage. Over time various cuisines have blended with indigenous dishes while foreign ones have been adapted to local tastes. Coconuts grow in abundance in Kerala, so grated coconut and coconut milk are commonly used for thickening and flavouring.[57] Kerala's long coastline and numerous rivers have led to a strong fishing industry in the region, making seafood a common part of the meal. Rice is grown in abundance; along with tapioca. It is the main starch ingredient used in Kerala's food.[58] Having been a major production area of spices for thousands of years, the region makes frequent use of black pepper, cardamom, clove, ginger, and cinnamon. Most of Kerala's Hindus, except its Brahmin community, eat fish, chicken, beef, pork, eggs and mutton.[59] The Brahmin community on the other hand is famed for their vegan cuisine, especially various varieties of Sambar and Rasam.In most Kerala households, a typical meal consists of rice, fish, and vegetables. Kerala also has a variety of breakfast dishes like idli, dosa, appam, idiyappam, puttu, and pathiri.[32] The Muslim community of Kerala, famed for their array of delectable dishes use a cooking method that blends Arabian, North Indian and indeginious Malabari using Chicken, Eggs, Beef and Mutton.[60]Thalassery biryani is the only biryani variant, which is of Kerala origin having originated in Talassery, in Malabar region. The dish has considerable difference when compared to the other biryani variants.[61] Pathanamthitta region is known for Kaalan and fish curries. Appam along with wine and curries of cured beef and pork are popular among Syrian Christians in Central Kerala.Popular desserts are payasam and Halva. Hindu community's payasams especially those made at temples like the Ambalappuzha temple is famous for its rich taste. Halva is one of the most commonly found or easily recognised sweets in bakeries throughout Kerala and Kozhikode (anglicized as Calicut) in Kerala, is famous for its unique and exotic haluva, which is popularly known as Kozhikodan Haluva. Significant Arab and Middle Eastern influence in this region, through ancient trade routes via the Arabian Sea and through Arab traders who settled here, contributed to the evolution of Kozhikodan Haluva along with other dishes like the Thalassery biryani. Europeans used to call Kozhikodan Haluva 'sweetmeat' due to its texture. A street in Calicut where Kozhikodan Haluvas were sold was named Sweet Meat Street (S.M. Street for short) during colonial rule. Kozhikodan haluva is mostly made from maida (highly refined wheat), and comes in various flavours, such as banana, ghee, coconut, cashew, date, tender coconut, pineapple, jackfruit, etc. However, karutha haluva (black haluva) made from rice is also very popular. Many Muslim families in the region are famed for their traditional karutha haluva.

Lakshadweep

The culinary influence of Kerala is quite evident in the cuisines of Lakshadweep, since the island lies in close proximity to Kerala. Coconut and sea fish serve as the foundations of most of the meals. The people of Lakshadweep drink large amounts of coconut water, which is the most abundant aerated drink on the island.[62]

Madhya Pradesh

Daal Bafla, a popular dish in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Gujarat

The cuisine in Madhya Pradesh varies regionally. Wheat and meat are common in the North and West of the state, while the wetter South and East are dominated by rice and fish. Milk is a common ingredient in Gwalior and Indore. The street food of Indore is renowned, with shops that have been active for generations.[63] Bhopal is known for meat and fish dishes such as rogan josh, korma, qeema, biryani, pilaf and kebabs. There is a street named "Chatori Gali" in old Bhopal where one can find traditional Muslim non-vegetarian fare like Paya Soup, Bun Kabab, and Nalli-Nihari as some of the specialties.[64]

Dal bafla is a common meal in the region and can be easily found in Indore and other nearby regions, consisting of a steamed and grilled wheat cake dunked in rich ghee, which is eaten with daal and ladoos. The culinary specialty of the Malwa and Indore regions of central Madhya Pradesh is poha (flattened rice); usually eaten at breakfast with jalebi.[65] Beverages in the region include lassi, beer, rum and sugarcane juice. A local liquor is distilled from the flowers of the mahua tree. Date palm toddy is also popular. In tribal regions, a popular drink is the sap of the sulfi tree, which may be alcoholic if it has gone through fermentation.[66]

Maharashtra

Main article: Maharashtrian cuisine
Pav Bhaji, a popular fast food originating in Maharashtra

Maharashtrian cuisine is an extensive balance of many different tastes. It includes a range of dishes from mild to very spicy tastes. Bajri, wheat, rice, jowar, vegetables, lentils, and fruit form important components of the Maharashtrian diet. Popular dishes include puran poli, ukdiche modak, batata wada, masala bhat, pav bhaji and wada pav.[67] Shrikhand, a sweet dish made from strained yogurt, is a main dessert of Maharashtrian cuisine.[68] The cuisine of Maharashtra can be divided into two major sections—the coastal and the interior. The Konkan, on the coast of the Arabian Sea, has its own type of cuisine, a homogeneous combination of Malvani, Goud Saraswat Brahmin, and Goan cuisines. In the interior of Maharashtra, the Vidarbha and Marathwada areas have their own distinct cuisines.

The cuisine of Vidarbha uses groundnuts, poppy seeds, jaggery, wheat, jowar, and bajra extensively. A typical meal consists of rice, roti, "poli" or '"bhakar", along with "varan" and "aamtee"—lentils and spiced vegetables. Cooking is common with different types of oil. People love spicy food. Savji food from Vidharbh is well known all over Maharashtra. Like other coastal states, there is an enormous variety of vegetables, fish and coconuts, where they are common ingredients. Peanuts and cashews are often served with vegetables. Grated coconuts are used to flavour many types of dishes, but coconut oil is not widely used; peanut oil is preferred.[69] Kokum, most commonly served chilled, in an appetiser-digestive called sol kadhi, is prevalent. During summer, Maharashtrians consume panha, a drink made from raw mango.[70][71]

Manipur

A non-vegetarian Eromba from Manipur

Manipuri cuisine typically features spicy foods that use chili pepper rather than garam masala. The staple diet consists of rice, leafy vegetables, and fish. About 60 years ago most of the Valley people did not eat meat except fish because of Hinduism. But in the pre-Hinduism era, the valley people and the hill people had similar food habits. Meats like chicken and pork are popular in both valleys and hills. Other special delicacies include snails, crabs, eels, etc. A large variety of vegetables are eaten, along with leaves and herbs. Bamboo shoots are eaten both fresh and fermented. Fermented dry fish, locally known as ngari, is very popular and is used in almost every dish prepared. Fermented soybeans are also popular. Another popular dish is kangsoi, which is a soup of potatoes, tomatoes, dried fish and other vegetables, prepared without spices. The hill people eat beef and the Muslim Pangals eat mutton. Fruits, especially citrus fruits, are also very popular.[72] Manipuris typically raise vegetables in kitchen gardens[73] and rear fish in small ponds around their homes. The Umarok is a very popular chili in the area, also known by names such as naga jolokia or "ghost chili" (in US media).[74][75]

Meghalaya

Meghalayan cuisine is unique and different from other Northeastern Indian states.[76] Spiced meat is common, from goats, pigs, fowl, ducks, chickens, and cows. In the Khasi and Jaintia Hills districts, common foods include jadoh, ki kpu, tung-rymbai, and pickled bamboo shoots. Other common foods in Meghalaya include minil songa (steamed sticky rice), sakkin gata, and momo dumplings. Like other tribes in the northeast, the Garos ferment rice beer, which they consume in religious rites and secular celebrations.[77]

Mizoram

The cuisine of Mizoram differs from that of most of India, though it shares characteristics to other regions of Northeast India and North India. Rice is the staple food of Mizoram, while Mizos love to add non-vegetarian ingredients in every dish. Fish, chicken, pork and beef are popular meats among Mizos. Dishes are served on fresh banana leaves. Most of the dishes are cooked in mustard oil. Meals tend to be less spicy than in most of India.Mizos love eating boiled vegetables along with rice. A popular dish is bai, made from boiling vegetables(spinach,eggplant,beans,and other leafy vegetables) with fermented soya beans or fermented fish and served with rice. Sawhchiar is another common dish, made of rice and cooked with pork or chicken.[78][79]

Nagaland

Dried fish, prawns, ghost chili and preserved colocasia leaf
Dried fish, prawns, ghost chili, and preserved colocasia leaves are common ingredients in Naga cuisine

The cuisine of Nagaland reflects that of the Naga people. It is known for exotic pork meats cooked with simple and flavourful ingredients,[32] like the extremely hot bhut jolokia pepper, fermented bamboo shoots and soya beans. The Naga use oil sparingly, preferring to ferment, dry, and smoke their meats and fish. Traditional homes in Nagaland have external kitchens that serve as smokehouses.[80]

Odisha

Chungdi Jhola (ଚିଙ୍ଗୁଡି ଝୋଳ) is a spicy gravy based prawn curry of Odisha State with different kinds of spices.

The cuisine of Odisha relies heavily on local ingredients. Flavours are usually subtle and delicately spiced, unlike the spicy curries typically associated with Indian cuisine. Fish and other seafood, such as crab and shrimp, are very popular, and chicken and mutton are also consumed. Panch phutana, a mix of cumin, mustard, fennel, fenugreek and kalonji (nigella), is widely used for flavouring vegetables and dals,[81] while garam masala and turmeric are commonly used for meat-based curries. Pakhala, a dish made of rice, water, and yogurt, that is fermented overnight, is very popular in summer in rural areas.[82] Oriyas are very fond of sweets, so dessert follows most meals.

Few popular Oriya cuisines, Anna, Kanika, Dalma, Khata (Tamato & Oou), Dali (Different types of lentils, i.e. Harada (Red Gram), known as Arhar in Hindi), Muga (Moong), Kolatha (Horsegram), etc. And many more varieties both in Veg. (Niramisha) & Non-Veg. (Aamisha).

Puducherry

The union territory of Puducherry was a French colony for around 200 years, making French cuisine a strong influence on the area. Tamil cuisine is followed by majority of the people as its major population is Tamil. The influence of the neighbouring areas, such as Andhra Pradesh and Kerala, is also visible on the territory's cuisine. Some favourite dishes include coconut curry, tandoori potato, soya dosa, podanlangkai, curried vegetables, stuffed cabbage, and baked beans.[83]

Punjab

Main article: Punjabi cuisine
Tandoori chicken is a popular grilled dish.

The cuisine of Punjab is known for its diverse range of dishes. Punjabi cuisine is not different from other cuisines in the sense that most of the cuisine is inspired by the Central Asian and Mughlai cuisines since it was the entering spot for the Muslim invaders. Home-cooked and restaurant Punjabi cuisine can vary significantly. Restaurant-style Punjabi cooking uses large amounts of ghee, butter and cream, while home-cooked equivalents center around whole wheat, rice, and other ingredients flavoured with masala.[84] Regional differences also exist in Punjabi cuisine. For example, people of Amritsar prefer stuffed paratha and dairy products. Ambar Panjabi of Amritsar created the well known lentil and bean sprout curry which swept the nation with its zesty flavor and texture.[85] Certain dishes are exclusive to Punjab, such as makke di roti and sarson da saag.[84] The main masala in a Punjabi dish consists of onion, garlic and ginger. Much of this food was made to meet the demands of traditional Punjabi lifestyle, with high calorie counts to support rural workers. Tandoori food is a Punjabi speciality, especially with non-vegetarian dishes.[86]

Many of the most popular elements of Anglo-Indian cuisine, such as tandoori foods, naan, pakoras and vegetable dishes with paneer, are derived from Punjabi styles.[87]

Rajasthan

Main article: Rajasthani cuisine
Rajasthani thali
Kadhi, a spicy North Indian dish

Cooking in Rajasthan, an arid region, has been strongly shaped by the availability of ingredients. Because water is at a premium, food is generally cooked in milk or ghee, making it quite rich. Gram flour is a mainstay of Marwari food mainly due to the scarcity of vegetables in the area.[88]

Historically, food that could last for several days and be eaten without heating was preferred. Major dishes of a Rajasthani meal may include daal-baati, tarfini, raabdi, Ghevar, bail-gatte, panchkoota, chaavadi, laapsi, kadhi and boondi. Typical snacks include bikaneri bhujia, mirchi bada, Pyaaj Kachori, and Dal Kachori.

Daal-baati is the most popular dish prepared in the state. It is usually supplemented with choorma, a mixture of finely grinded baked rotis, sugar and ghee.[32]

Sikkim

Main article: Sikkimese cuisine

In Sikkim, various ethnic groups such as the Nepalese, Bhutias, and Lepchas have their own distinct cuisines. Nepalese cuisine is very popular in this area. Rice is the staple food of the area, and meat and dairy products are also widely consumed. For centuries, traditional fermented foods and beverages have constituted about 20 percent of the local diet. Depending on altitudinal variation, finger millet, wheat, buckwheat, barley, vegetables, potatoes, and soybeans are grown. Dhindo, Daal bhat, Gundruk, Momo, gya thuk, ningro, phagshapa, and sel roti are some of the local dishes. Alcoholic drinks are consumed by both men and women. Beef is eaten by the Bhutias.[89]

Sindh

Main article: Sindhi cuisine

Sindhi cuisine refers to the native cuisine of the Sindhi people from the Sindh region, now in Pakistan. While Sindh is not geographically a part of modern India, its food is there,[90] where a sizeable number of Sindhi people who are Hindu by religion migrated following the independence of Pakistan in 1947, especially in Sindhi enclaves such as Ulhasnagar and Gandhidam. A typical meal in most Sindhi households consists of wheat-based flatbread (phulka) and rice accompanied by two dishes, one with gravy and one dry. Lotus stem (known as kamal kakri) is also used in Sindhi dishes. Cooking vegetables by deep frying is a common practice that is followed. Sindhi cuisine is mostly influenced by Punjab and Gujarat. Some common ingredients used are mango powder, tamarind, kokum flowers, and dried pomegranate seeds.[91]

Tamil Nadu

Vegetarian Meals in Tamil Nadu traditionally served on a banana leaf
Dosa served with sambar and chutney

Tamil Nadu is noted for its deep belief that serving food to others is a service to humanity, as is common in many regions of India. The region has a rich cuisine involving both traditional non-vegetarian and vegetarian dishes. Tamil food is characterised by its use of rice, legumes, and lentils, along with distinct aromas and flavours achieved by the blending of spices such as curry leaves, tamarind, coriander, ginger, garlic, chili pepper, cinnamon, clove, cardamom, cumin, nutmeg, coconut and rose water. The traditional way of eating a meal involves being seated on the floor, having the food served on a banana leaf, and using clean fingers of the right hand to transfer the food to the mouth. After the meal, the fingers are washed, and the banana leaf becomes food for cows. A meal (called Saapadu) consists of rice with other typical Tamil dishes on a banana leaf. A typical Tamilian would eat in banana leaf as it gives different flavour and taste to the food. But it can also be served on a stainless steel tray - plate with a selection of different dishes in small bowls. Tamil food is characterised by tiffins, which is a light food taken for breakfast or dinner, and meals which are usually taken during lunch. The word "curry" is derived from the Tamil kari, meaning something similar to "sauce".[92][93] The southern regions such as Tirunelveli, Madurai, Paramakudi, Karaikudi, and Chettinad are noted for their spicy non-vegetarian dishes.[94][95] Dosa, idli and pongal are some of the popular dishes and are eaten with chutney and sambar. Fish and other seafoods are also very popular, because the state is located on the coast.

Telangana

Hyderabadi Biryani from the city of Hyderabad

The cuisine of Telangana is a blend of Telugu cuisine along with Hyderabadi cuisine (also known as Nizami cuisine).[96][97] Hyderabadi food is based heavily on non-vegetarian ingredients and Telugu food is a mix of both vegetarian and non-vegetarian ingredients. Telugu food is rich in spices and chillies are abundantly used. The food also generally tends to be more on the tangy side with tamarind and lime juice both used liberally as souring agents. Rice is the staple food of Telugu people. Starch is consumed with a variety of curries and lentil soups or broths.[98][99] Vegetarian and non-vegetarian foods are both popular. Hyderabadi cuisine includes popular delicacies such as Biryani, Haleem, Baghara baingan and Kheema.[98] Various pickles are part of local cuisine, popular among those are gongura (a pickle made from red sorrel leaves).[100] Yogurt is a common addition to meals, as a way of tempering spiciness.[101] Breakfast items include dosa and vada.

Tripura

Main article: Tripuri cuisine
A bowl of thukpa

The Tripuri people are the original inhabitants of the state of Tripura in northeast India. Today, they comprise the communities of Tipra, Reang, Jamatia, Noatia, and Uchoi, among others. The Tripuri are non-vegetarian,[102] although they have a minority of Vaishnavite vegetarians.[103] The major ingredients of Tripuri cuisine include pork, chicken, mutton, turtle, fish, shrimps, crabs, and frogs.

Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradeshi thali (platter) with naan, daal, raita, gul paneer, and salad
Poha, a popular North Indian breakfast dish

Traditionally, Uttar Pradeshi cuisine consists of Awadhi and Mughlai cuisine,[9] though a vast majority of the state is vegetarian, preferring dal, roti, sabzi, and rice. Pooris and kachoris are eaten on special occasions. Chaat, samosa, and pakora, among the most popular snacks in India, originate from Uttar Pradesh.[19][104] Well known dishes include kebabs, dum biryani, and various mutton recipes. Sheer Qorma, Ghevar, Gulab jamun, Kheer, and Ras malai are some of the popular desserts in this region.

Awadhi cuisine (Hindi: अवधी खाना, Urdu: اودھی کھانا) is from the city of Lucknow, which is the capital of the state of Uttar Pradesh in Central-South Asia and Northern India, and the cooking patterns of the city are similar to those of Central Asia, the Middle East, and other parts of Northern India. The cuisine consists of both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. Awadh has been greatly influenced by Mughal cooking techniques, and the cuisine of Lucknow bears similarities to those of Central Asia, Kashmir, Punjab and Hyderabad. The city is also known for its Nawabi foods.[105] The bawarchis and rakabdars of Awadh gave birth to the dum style of cooking or the art of cooking over a slow fire, which has become synonymous with Lucknow today.[106] Their spread consisted of elaborate dishes like kebabs, kormas, biryani, kaliya, nahari-kulchas, zarda, sheermal, roomali rotis, and warqi parathas. The richness of Awadh cuisine lies not only in the variety of cuisine but also in the ingredients used like mutton, paneer, and rich spices, including cardamom and saffron.

Mughlai cuisine is a style of cooking developed in the Indian subcontinent by the imperial kitchens of the Mughal Empire. It represents the cooking styles used in North India (especially Uttar Pradesh). The cuisine is strongly influenced by the Central Asian cuisine, the region where the Chagatai-Turkic Mughal rulers originally hailed from, and it has in turn strongly influenced the regional cuisines of Kashmir and the Punjab region.[105] The tastes of Mughlai cuisine vary from extremely mild to spicy, and is often associated with a distinctive aroma and the taste of ground and whole spices.[107] A Mughlai course is an elaborate buffet of main course dishes with a variety of accompaniments.[108]

Uttarakhand

Main article: Kumauni cuisine
Saag, a popular Kumauni dish from Uttarakhand, is made from any of the various green vegetables like spinach and fenugreek.

The food from Uttrakhand is known to be healthy and wholesome to suit the high-energy necessities of the cold, mountainous region. It is a high protein diet that makes heavy use of pulses, soybeans and vegetables. Traditionally it is cooked over wood or charcoal fire mostly in iron utensils. While also making use of condiments such as jeera, haldi and rai common in other Indian cuisines, Uttarakhand cuisine uses some exotic condiments like jambu, timmer, ghandhraini and bhangira. Similarly, although the people in Uttarakhand also prepare the dishes common in other parts of northern India, several preparations are unique to Uttarakhand tradition such as rus, chudkani, dubuk, chadanji, jholi, kapa, etc. Among dressed salads and sauces, kheere ka raita, nimbu mooli ka raita, daarim ki khatai and aam ka fajitha necessarily deserve a mention. The cuisine mainly consists of food from two different sub regions—Garhwal and Kumaon—though their basic ingredients are the same.[109] Both the Kumaoni and Garhwali styles make liberal use of ghee, lentils or pulses, vegetables and bhaat (rice). They also use Badi (sun-dried Urad Dal balls) and Mungodi (sun-dried Moong Dal balls) as substitutes for vegetables at times. During festivals and other celebrations, the people of Uttarakhand prepare special refreshments which include both salty preparations such as bada and sweet preparations such as pua and singal. Uttarakhand also has several sweets (mithai) such as singodi, bal-mithai, malai laddu, etc. native to its tradition.

West Bengal

Main article: Bengali cuisine
Bengali authentic full meal

Bengali cuisine is the only traditionally developed multi-course tradition from the Indian subcontinent that is analogous in structure to the modern service à la russe style of French cuisine, with food served course-wise rather than all at once. Bengali cuisine has a high emphasis on chilli pepper, along with mustard oil, and tends to use high amounts of spices altogether. The cuisine is known for subtle flavours with an emphasis on fish, vegetables, lentils, and rice.[32] Bread is not a common dish in Bengali cuisine, but a deep fried version called luchi is popular. Fresh sweetwater fish is one of its most distinctive features; Bengalis prepare fish in many ways, such as steaming, braising, or stewing in vegetables and sauces based on coconut milk or mustard. East Bengali food, which has a high presence in West Bengal and Bangladesh, is much spicier than the West Bengali cuisine, and tends to use high amounts of chilli, and is one of the spiciest cuisines in India and the World. Shondesh and Rasgulla are popular sweet dishes made of sweetened, finely ground fresh cheese. The cuisine is found in the states of Tripura, the Barak Valley of Assam, and West Bengal itself.

Fusion cuisines

The interaction of various Indian diaspora communities with the native cultures of their domiciles have resulted in the creation of many fusion cuisines, which blend aspects of Indian and foreign cuisines. These cuisines tend to adapt Indian seasoning and cooking techniques to foreign dishes.

Indian Chinese cuisine

Indian Chinese cuisine originated in the 19th century among the Chinese community of Calcutta, during the immigration of Hakka Chinese from Canton (present-day Guangzhou) seeking to escape the First and Second Opium Wars and political instability in the region.[110] Upon exposure to local Indian cuisine, they incorporated many spices and cooking techniques into their own cuisine, thus creating a unique fusion of Indian and Chinese cuisine.[110] After 1947, many Cantonese immigrants fleeing political repression under Mao Zedong, opened their own restaurants in Calcutta, whose dishes combined aspects of Indian cuisine with Cantonese cuisine.[111] While Indian Chinese cuisine is heavily derived from traditional Chinese cuisine, it bears little resemblance to its Chinese counterpart.[111] The dishes tend to be flavoured with cumin, coriander seeds, and turmeric, which with a few regional exceptions, are not traditionally associated with Chinese cuisine.[112] Chilli, ginger, garlic and yogurt are also frequently used in dishes.[112]

Popular dishes include Chicken Manchurian, Chicken lollipop, Chilli chicken, Hakka noodles, Hunan chicken, Chow mein, and Szechwan fried rice. Soups such as Manchow soup and Sweet corn soup are very popular, whereas desserts include ice cream on honey-fried noodles and date pancakes. Chow mein is now known as one of the most favorite Chinese dishes in India. Specially in West Bengal, it is one of the most loved street foods. Bari-Maidan of Burnpur and "Court More" area of Asansol are known for their Chow mein.

Malaysian Indian cuisine

Indian Singaporean cuisine

Indian Singaporean cuisine refers to foods and beverages produced and consumed in Singapore that are derived, wholly or in part, from South Asian culinary traditions. The great variety of Singaporean food includes Indian food, which tends to be Tamil cuisine, especially local Tamil Muslim cuisine, although North Indian food[113] has become more visible recently. Indian dishes have become modified to different degrees, after years of contact with other Singaporean cultures, and in response to locally available ingredients, as well as changing local tastes.

Anglo-Indian cuisine

Main article: Anglo-Indian cuisine

Desserts

Many Indian sweets, or mithai, are fried foods made with sugar, milk or condensed milk. Ingredients vary by region. In the eastern part of India, for example, most sweets are based on milk products. See sections or articles on specific regional cuisines for their preferred types of sweets.

Some common Indian sweets and desserts include:

Beverages

Non-alcoholic beverages

While masala tea (left) is a staple beverage across the majority of India, Indian filter coffee (right) is more popular in Southern India.[123][124]
Lassi served at an Indian restaurant
Standard faluda from Hyderabad with kulfi, rose syrup, tapioca pearls and basil seeds

Tea is a staple beverage throughout India, since the country is one of the largest producers of tea in the world. The most popular varieties of tea grown in India include Assam tea, Darjeeling tea and Nilgiri tea. It is prepared by boiling the tea leaves in a mix of water, milk, and spices such as cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, and ginger. In India, tea is often enjoyed with snacks like biscuits and pakoda.

Coffee is another popular beverage, but more popular in South India. Coffee is also cultivated in some parts of India. There are two varieties of coffee popular in India, which include Indian filter coffee and instant coffee.

Lassi is a traditional yogurt-based drink in India.[125] It is made by blending yogurt with water or milk and spices. Salted lassi is more common in villages of Punjab and in Porbandar, Gujarat. Traditional lassi is sometimes flavoured with ground roasted cumin. Lassi can also be flavoured with ingredients such as sugar, rose water, mango, lemon, strawberry, and saffron.[126]

Sharbat is a sweet cold beverage prepared from fruits or flower petals.[127] It can be served in concentrate form and eaten with a spoon, or diluted with water to create a drink. Popular sharbats are made from plants such as rose, sandalwood, bel, gurhal (hibiscus), lemon, orange, pineapple, and falsa (Grewia asiatica). In Ayurveda, sharbats are believed to hold medicinal value.[128]

Other beverages include nimbu pani (lemonade), chaas, badam doodh (almond milk with nuts and cardamom), and coconut water. Cold drinks unique to southern India include beverages, such as "Panner Soda" or "Gholi Soda", which is a mixture of carbonated water, rose water, rose milk, and sugar.

Alcoholic beverages

Beer

Main article: Beer in India
Bastar Beer prepared from Sulfi

Most beers in India are either lagers (4.8 percent alcohol) or strong lagers (8.9 percent). The Indian beer industry has witnessed steady growth of 10–17 percent per year over the last ten years. Production exceeded 170 million cases during the 2008–2009 financial year.[129] With the average age of the population decreasing and income levels on the rise, the popularity of beer in the country continues to increase.

Others

Other popular alcoholic drinks in India include fenny, a Goan liquor made from either coconut or the juice of the cashew apple. The state of Goa has registered for a geographical indicator to allow its fenny distilleries to claim exclusive rights to production of liquor under the name "fenny."[130]

Hadia is a rice beer, created by mixing herbs with boiled rice and leaving the mixture to ferment for around a week. It is served cold and is less alcoholic than other Indian liquors. Chuak is a similar drink from Tripura. Palm wine, locally known as Neera, is a sap extracted from inflorescences of various species of toddy palms.[131] Chhaang is consumed by the people of Sikkim and the Darjeeling Himalayan hill region of West Bengal. It is drunk cold or at room temperature in summer, and often hot during cold weather. Chhaang is similar to traditional beer, brewed from barley, millet, or rice.[132]

Eating habits

Paan is often eaten after dinner.

Indians consider a healthy breakfast important. They generally prefer to drink tea or coffee with breakfast, though food preferences vary regionally. North Indian people prefer roti, parathas, and a vegetable dish, accompanied by achar (pickles) and some curd.[133] People of western India prefer dhokla and milk and South Indians prefer idlis and dosas, generally accompanied by various chutneys.[134]

Lunch in India usually consists of a main dish of rice in the south and east, or whole wheat rotis in the north and west. It typically includes two or three kinds of vegetables, and sometimes items such as kulcha, naan, or parathas. Along with dessert, paan (betel leaves), which aid digestion, are often eaten after lunch in parts of India.[19]

Indian families often gather for "evening breakfast," similar to tea time to talk, drink tea and eat snacks. Dinner is considered as the main meal of the day.[135]

Dietary restrictions

There are many dietary restrictions that people follow based on the religion or faith they profess. Many Hindu communities consider beef taboo. Since it is believed that Hindu scriptures condemn cow slaughter, beef consumption has been banned in many states of India.[136] Followers of Vaishnavism generally do not eat garlic and onions because they are advised against it in the Bhagavad Gita.[137] Jains follow a strict form of vegetarianism, known as Jain vegetarianism, which in addition to being completely vegetarian, also excludes potatoes and other root vegetables because when the root is pulled up, organisms that live around the root also die.[138] Pork is taboo among Indian Muslims, a religious group contributing to 13.4% of the country's population.

Etiquette

Traditionally, meals in India were eaten while seated either on the floor or on very low stools or cushions. Food is most often eaten with the right hand rather than cutlery. The left hand is used to serve oneself when the courses are not served by the host. Often roti is used to scoop curry without allowing it to touch the hand. In the wheat-producing north, a piece of roti is gripped with the thumb and middle finger and ripped off while holding the roti down with the index finger. A somewhat different method is used in the south for the dosai, the adai, and the uththappam, where the middle finger is pressed down to hold the crepe down and the forefinger and thumb used to grip and separate a small part. Traditional serving styles vary regionally throughout India.

Contact with other cultures has affected Indian dining etiquette. For example, the Anglo-Indian middle class commonly uses spoons and forks, as is traditional in Western culture.[139]

In South India, cleaned banana leaves, which can be disposed of after meals, are used for serving food. When hot food is served on banana leaves, the leaves add distinctive aromas and taste to the food.[9] Leaf plates are less common today, except on special occasions.

Outside of India

Indian migration has spread the culinary traditions of the subcontinent throughout the world. These cuisines have been adapted to local tastes, and have also affected local cuisines. Curry's international appeal has been compared to that of pizza.[140] Indian tandoor dishes such as chicken tikka enjoy widespread popularity.[141]

Canada

As in the United Kingdom and the United States, Indian cuisine is widely available in Canada, especially in the cities of Toronto[142] and Vancouver,[143] where the majority of Canadians of South Asian heritage live.

China

Indian food is gaining popularity in China, where there are many Indian restaurants in Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen. Hong Kong alone has more than 50 Indian restaurants, some of which date back to the 1980s. Most of the Indian restaurants in Hong Kong are in Tsim Sha Tsui.[144]

Middle East

The Indian culinary scene in the Middle East has been influenced greatly by the large Indian diaspora in these countries. Centuries of trade relations and cultural exchange resulted in a significant influence on each region's cuisines, the most notable being the Biryani.[119][145] It was introduced by Persian invaders into Northern India and has since become an integral part of the Mughlai cuisine and also the use of the tandoor, which originated in northwestern India.[146] The large influx of Indian expatriates into the Middle Eastern countries during the 1970s and 1980s led to the booming of Indian restaurants to cater to this population and was also widely influenced by the local and international cuisines.

Nepal

Indian cuisine is available in the streets of Nepalese cities, including Kathmandu and Janakpur, where the majority of Indians live.

Southeast Asia

An Indian restaurant in Singapore

Indian cuisine is very popular in Southeast Asia, due to the strong Hindu and Buddhist cultural influence in the region. Indian cuisine has had considerable influence on Malaysian cooking styles[7] and also enjoys popularity in Singapore.[147][148] There are numerous North and South Indian restaurants in Singapore, mostly in Little India. Singapore is also known for fusion cuisine combining traditional Singaporean cuisine with Indian influences. Fish head curry, for example, is a local creation. Indian influence on Malay cuisine dates to the 19th century.[149] Other cuisines which borrow inspiration from Indian cooking styles include Filipino, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Thai, and Burmese cuisines. The spread of vegetarianism in other parts of Asia is often credited to Hindu and Buddhist practices.[150]

United Kingdom

Chicken tikka masala, a modified version of Indian chicken tikka, has been called "a true British national dish."[151]

In 2003, there were as many as 10,000 restaurants serving Indian cuisine in England and Wales alone. According to Britain's Food Standards Agency, the Indian food industry in the United Kingdom is worth 3.2 billion pounds, accounts for two-thirds of all eating out and serves about 2.5 million customers every week.[152]

Anglo-Indian restaurants adapt traditional Indian food for British tastes, which are commonly less accustomed to strong spices. The best known example of this is Chicken tikka masala, which has also been called "a true British national dish."[151]

United States

A survey by The Washington Post in 2007 stated that more than 1,200 Indian food products had been introduced into the United States since 2000.[153] There are numerous Indian restaurants across the US, which vary based on regional culture and climate. North Indian and South Indian cuisines are especially well represented.[154] Most Indian restaurants in the United States serve Americanized versions of North Indian food, which is generally less spicy than its South Indian equivalents.

See also

References

  1. Dias (1 January 1996). Steward, The. Orient Blackswan. p. 215. ISBN 978-81-250-0325-0. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  2. Gesteland, Richard R.; Gesteland, Mary C. (23 February 2010). India: Cross-cultural Business Behavior : for Business People, Expatriates and Scholars. Copenhagen Business School Press DK. p. 176. ISBN 978-87-630-0222-6. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  3. Chandra, Sanjeev; Chandra, Smita (7 February 2008). "The story of desi cuisine: Timeless desi dishes". Toronto Star.
  4. "Indian food– Indian Cuisine of india vernon – its history, origins and influences". Indianfoodsco.com. Retrieved 23 June 2009.
  5. D Balasubramanian (16 October 2008). "Potato: historically important vegetable". The Hindu (Chennai, India). Retrieved 26 June 2012.
  6. Cornillez, Louise Marie M. (Spring 1999). "The History of the Spice Trade in India".
  7. 7.0 7.1 "Nasi, Kari, Biryani & Mee". Veg Voyages. Retrieved 23 June 2009.
  8. "Asia Food Features". Asiafood.org. Retrieved 23 June 2009.
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 Krishna Gopal Dubey (2011). The Indian Cuisine. PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd. ISBN 978-81-203-4170-8. Retrieved 2 June 2012.
  10. "Chapter 17, Verse 8,9,10". Bhagavad-Gita. Retrieved 31 August 2011.
  11. Donald K. Sharpes (2006). Sacred Bull, Holy Cow: A Cultural Study of Civilization's Most Important Animal. Peter Lang. p. 208. ISBN 978-0-8204-7902-6. Retrieved 4 June 2012.
  12. "Beef eating: strangulating history". The Hindu (Chennai, India). 14 August 2001.
  13. 13.0 13.1 Matthew Locricchio; Jack McConnell (1 October 2004). The Cooking of India. Marshall Cavendish. p. 77. ISBN 978-0-7614-1730-9. Retrieved 2 June 2012.
  14. Bruce F. Johnston (1958). The Staple Food Economies of Western Tropical Africa. Stanford University Press. p. 14. ISBN 978-0-8047-0537-0. Retrieved 2 June 2012.
  15. Diana Seshadri (30 May 2007). Food for The Gods. Lulu.com. pp. 35–. ISBN 978-1-4303-1269-7. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
  16. John Shi; Chi-Tang Ho; Fereidoon Shahidi (15 March 2010). Functional Foods of the East. CRC Press. pp. 64–. ISBN 978-1-4200-7192-4. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
  17. Arvind Kumar; Pushpalata Dubey (1 January 2006). Green Technologies for Sustainable Agriculture. Daya Publishing House. pp. 28–. ISBN 978-81-7035-419-2. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
  18. Dr. J. P. Sharma. Academic Biology IX. Laxmi Publications. p. 97. ISBN 978-81-7008-579-9. Retrieved 4 June 2012.
  19. 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 19.4 Subodh Kapoor (1 July 2002). The Indian Encyclopaedia. Cosmo Publications. p. 1745. ISBN 978-81-7755-257-7. Retrieved 4 June 2012.
  20. Laura Kelley (15 July 2009). The Silk Road Gourmet: Western and Southern Asia. iUniverse. pp. 298–. ISBN 978-1-4401-4305-2. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
  21. Priti Chitnis Gress (30 January 2008). Flavorful India: Treasured Recipes from a Gujarati Family. Hippocrene Books. pp. 15–. ISBN 978-0-7818-1207-8. Retrieved 4 June 2012.
  22. Devagi Sanmugam (31 July 2007). Naturally Speaking: Indian: Recipes and Home Remedies. Marshall Cavendish. p. 69. ISBN 978-981-232-715-4. Retrieved 4 June 2012.
  23. "Cuisines of Andaman and Nicobar Islands". Andaman and Nicobar Islands. indfy.com. Retrieved 4 June 2012.
  24. "Arunachal Pradesh staple food". Cuisine. http://amazingarunachal.com. Retrieved 4 June 2012.
  25. "Arunachal Pradesh food". Arunachal Pradesh. ifood.tv. Retrieved 4 June 2012.
  26. "Cuisine". India cuisine. Incredible India. Retrieved 4 June 2012.
  27. Edgar Thorpe and Showick Thorpe, ed. (2010). The Pearson Concise General Knowledge Manual (New ed.). Pearson Education India. p. 34. ISBN 978-81-317-2766-9.
  28. Assam General Knowledge. Bright Publications. pp. 79–. ISBN 978-81-7199-451-9. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
  29. Rajatananda Das Gupta (1982). Art of mediaeval Assam. Cosmo. p. 171. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
  30. Norman Mosley Penzer (1980). Poison-Damsels. Ayer Publishing. pp. 253–. ISBN 978-0-405-13336-7. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
  31. 31.0 31.1 Martin Hughes; Sheema Mookherjee; Richard Delacy (2001). World Food India. Lonely Planet. pp. 176–. ISBN 978-1-86450-328-9. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
  32. 32.0 32.1 32.2 32.3 32.4 Bhandari Laveesh (1 September 2009). Indian States at a Glance 2008–09: Performance, Facts And Figures – Bihar. Pearson Education India. pp. 30–. ISBN 978-81-317-2333-3. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
  33. Chandigarh Cuisine. The official website of Chandigarh tourism states that most the food in Chandigarh is traditional Punjabi food.
  34. "Chhattisgarh Cuisine in India". India9"Mahua flower liquor". Fieldsite in Central India. philosophy.dept.shef.uk. Retrieved 5 June 2012..com. 7 June 2005. Retrieved 7 February 2011.
  35. "Chhattisgarh delicacies". Chhattisgarh culture. journeymart.com. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
  36. Kumar Suresh Singh (1994). People of India: Daman and Diu. Popular Prakashan. pp. 8–9. ISBN 978-81-7154-761-6. Retrieved 6 June 2012.
  37. "Cuisines of Delhi, Famous Delhi Cuisine, Famous Delhi Food, Famous Food In Delhi". Indiasite. Retrieved 2013-12-09.
  38. "Indian Street Food in Delhi | A tour of authentic Indian street food in Delhi". Foodtourindelhi.com. Retrieved 2013-12-09.
  39. 40.0 40.1 Pat Chapman (3 March 2009). India: Food & Cooking: The Ultimate Book on Indian Cuisine. New Holland Publishers. pp. 38–. ISBN 978-1-84537-619-2. Retrieved 6 June 2012.
  40. Amelia Thomas; Amy Karafin (1 October 2009). Goa and Mumbai. Lonely Planet. pp. 52–. ISBN 978-1-74104-894-0. Retrieved 6 June 2012.
  41. "Goan cuisine". Goa dining guides. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
  42. "Gujurati Thali". Gujurati cuisine. indianfoodforever.com. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
  43. "Gujurati cuisine". Gujurati recipes. khanapakana.com. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
  44. Aruna Thaker; Arlene Barton (5 April 2012). Multicultural Handbook of Food, Nutrition and Dietetics. John Wiley & Sons. pp. 5–. ISBN 978-1-118-35046-1. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
  45. Murdoch Books Pty Limited; Murdoch Books Test Kitchen (1 July 2010). India. Murdoch Books. pp. 9–. ISBN 978-1-74196-438-7. Retrieved 14 June 2012.
  46. 47.0 47.1 47.2 Priya Wickramasinghe; Carol Selva Rajah (1 February 2005). Food of India. Murdoch Books. pp. 13–. ISBN 978-1-74045-472-8. Retrieved 14 June 2012.
  47. "Food of Haryana, Cuisine of Haryana, Famous Haryana Food, Recipes of Haryana, Haryana Food". Richindianculture.com. Retrieved 7 February 2011.
  48. "Himachal Pradesh specialities". Himachal cuisine. mapsofindia.com. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
  49. "Kashmiri food". Kashmiri cuisine. food-india.com. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
  50. "Kashmiri Wazwan". Metroplus (Chennai, India: www.thehindu.com). 11 April 2012. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
  51. Anand, Karen (20 April 2012). "Treats from the Valley". The Times of India.
  52. Laveesh Bhandari (1 September 2009). Indian States at a Glance 2008–09: Performance, Facts And Figures – Jharkhand. Pearson Education India. pp. 33–. ISBN 978-81-317-2338-8. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
  53. TNN (5 May 2009). "Kodagu still swears by pork". The Times of India. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
  54. "Taste of Mangalore". The Hindu (Chennai, India). 17 June 2002. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
  55. Prabha Shastri Ranade (2009). Infrastructure Development and Its Environmental Impact: Study of Konkan Railway. Concept Publishing Company. pp. 162–. ISBN 978-81-8069-450-9. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
  56. Zero Oil South Indian Cook Book. Dr. Bimal Chhajer. ISBN 9788128805127.
  57. India, [report prepared by] Planning Commission, Government of (2008). Kerala development report. New Delhi: Academic Foundation. ISBN 8171885942.
  58. Chatterjee, editors: Ashok K. Dutt, H.N. Misra, Meera (2008). Explorations in applied geography (Eastern economy ed. ed.). New Delhi: Asoke K. Ghosh, Prentice-Hall of India, Private Limited. ISBN 9788120333840.
  59. "Deccan Chronicle". Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  60. "Thalassery Biriyani". http://www.mysingaporekitchen.com/. 2012-11-16. Retrieved 2013-07-04.
  61. Krishnakumar, PK (4 March 2008). "Cut in duty to boost packaged coconut water". The Economic Times. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
  62. Gaur, Abhilash. "Outdoor Indore Abhilash Gaur on the legendary street-food delicacies of this businesslike city.". Outlook traveller. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
  63. Esteves., Lesley A. (April 2008). "FOOD COURT Nawabi Bhopal is a long and large meal, discovers Lesley A. Esteves.". Outlook traveller. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
  64. "India's bountiful breakfast options". The Times of India. 9 May 2010. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
  65. "Uni Crystal Holidays Pvt. Ltd". Unicrystalholidays.com. Retrieved 7 February 2011.
  66. "Indian Food and the West | New Emissary". The Diplomat. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
  67. The Indian Express
  68. Marshall Cavendish Corporation (September 2007). World and Its People: Eastern and Southern Asia. Marshall Cavendish. pp. 415–. ISBN 978-0-7614-7631-3. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
  69. "Flavours of Maharashtra at Renaissance". The Times of India. 12 July 2010. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
  70. "Feed your ‘Desi Mania’ at Nirula’s". Fnbnews. 10 May 2010. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
  71. "Cuisines of North East India".
  72. G. K. Ghosh; Shukla Ghosh (1 January 1997). Women of Manipur. APH Publishing. pp. 244–. ISBN 978-81-7024-897-2. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
  73. Meetei, Lukram. "Umorok the hottest chilli of the world and its value".
  74. Sullivan, Tim (1 August 2007). "The hottest chilli is ready to take on the world". Sarasota Herald. Associated Press. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  75. Lonely Planet blue list: the best in travel 2007. Lonely Planet. 31 October 2006. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
  76. Hamlet Bareh (2001). Encyclopaedia of North-East India: Meghalaya. Mittal Publications. pp. 47–. ISBN 978-81-7099-791-7. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
  77. "Mizo Cuisine in India". India9.com. 7 June 2005. Retrieved 7 February 2011.
  78. "Food in Mizoram". Mapsofindia.com. 2013-06-28. Retrieved 2013-12-09.
  79. Pran Nath Chopra (1992). Encyclopaedia of India: Nagaland. Rima Publishing House. p. 63. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  80. "Gourmet Tours To India".
  81. Susie J. Tharu; Ke Lalita (1 September 1993). Women Writing in India: The Twentieth century. Feminist Press. pp. 422–. ISBN 978-1-55861-029-3. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
  82. "Indian Cuisine:Puducherry".
  83. 84.0 84.1 Tarla Dalal (15 June 2007). Punjabi Khana. Sanjay & Co. pp. 6–. ISBN 978-81-89491-54-3. Retrieved 31 May 2012.
  84. Colleen Taylor Sen (2004). Food Culture in India. Greenwood Publishing Group. pp. 94–. ISBN 978-0-313-32487-1. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
  85. Franklin Ng (1995). The Asian American Encyclopedia: Ho-Kor. Marshall Cavendish. ISBN 978-1-85435-680-2. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
  86. "Punjabi cuisine.Khana-Indian Recipes and Cuisines".
  87. Clifford A. Wright (13 September 2005). Some Like It Hot: Spicy Favorites From The World's Hot Zones. Harvard Common Press. pp. 236–. ISBN 978-1-55832-269-1. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  88. Timothy L. Gall; Jeneen Hobby (1 May 2009). Worldmark encyclopedia of cultures and daily life. Gale. ISBN 978-1-4144-4891-6. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
  89. "Care for some Sindhi savouries?". Dnaindia.com. 5 November 2010. Retrieved 7 February 2011.
  90. Lachu Moorjani; Marty Snortum (30 December 2005). Ajanta: Regional Feasts of India. Gibbs Smith. pp. 59–. ISBN 978-1-58685-777-6. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  91. Lisa Maree Heldke (14 February 2003). Exotic Appetites: Ruminations of a Food Adventurer. Routledge. pp. 34–. ISBN 978-0-415-94385-7. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  92. Joe Cummings (1 March 2000). Thailand. Lonely Planet. pp. 46–. ISBN 978-1-86450-026-4. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  93. Sanjeev Dak Kapoor. Shin Delights, 1/e 295.00. Popular Prakashan. pp. 8–. ISBN 978-81-7991-400-7. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  94. Eugene Fodor; William Curtis (1964). Fodor's guide to India. D. McKay. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  95. Dubey, Krishna gopal (2011). The Indian cuisine. PHI Learning. p. 233. ISBN 978-81-203-4170-8. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
  96. Chapman, Pat (2009). India: food & cooking: The ultimate book on Indian cuisine. New Holland Publishers. pp. 38–39. ISBN 978-18-453-7619-2. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
  97. 98.0 98.1 Edelstein, Sari (2011). Food, Cuisine, and Cultural Competency for Culinary, Hospitality, and Nutrition Professionals. Jones & Bartlett Publishers. p. 276. ISBN 978-1-4496-1811-7. Retrieved 4 June 2012.
  98. "Andhra Pradesh cuisine". Indianfoodforever.com. Retrieved 4 June 2012.
  99. "AP cuisine". Andhra Pradesh. indiasite.com. Retrieved 4 June 2012.
  100. "Dum Pukht cooking". Compendium of food terms. theflavoursofhistory.com. Retrieved 4 June 2012.
  101. Satinder Kumar (2000). Encyclopaedia of South-Asian tribes. Anmol Publications. p. 3375. ISBN 978-81-261-0517-5. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  102. Krishna Prakash Bahadur; Sukhdev Singh Chib (1977). Caste, Tribes & Culture of India: North-Eastern India. Ess Ess Publications. p. 244. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  103. Abha Narain Lamba (1 September 2002). India. DK Pub. ISBN 978-0-7894-8395-9. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  104. 105.0 105.1 Royal Mughal Ladies and Their Contributions. Retrieved 6 March 2015.
  105. The Sunday Tribune – Spectrum – Lead Article. The Tribune. (13 July 2003). Retrieved 2012-08-06.
  106. "Mughlai cuisine tops popularity charts in capital". Telegraph India. 2008-07-05. Retrieved 2013-12-09.
  107. M. L. Dewan; Karan Singh; Piyoosh Rautela (1 January 2001). People's Movement for Himalayan Rejuvenation. Concept Publishing Company. pp. 93–. ISBN 978-81-7022-815-8. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
  108. 110.0 110.1 Anita Mannur‏ (2004). Culinary Fictions: Food in South Asian Diasporic Culture. Temple University Press. p. 233. ISBN 978-1-439-90078-9. Retrieved 21 July 2012.
  109. 111.0 111.1 Himadri Banerjee (2009). Calcutta Mosaic: Essays and Interviews on the Minority Communities of Calcutta. Anthem Press. p. 132. ISBN 978-8-190-58355-8. Retrieved 21 July 2012.
  110. 112.0 112.1 Deshpande, Shubada (25 October 1999). "Fare for the Desi Dragon". Rediff.com. Retrieved 2012-07-21.
  111. "North Indian Food popularity in Singapore".
  112. Lois Sinaiko Webb (28 December 1995). Holidays of the World Cookbook for Students. ABC-CLIO. pp. 193–. ISBN 978-0-89774-884-1. Retrieved 16 June 2012.
  113. Rasachandrika: Saraswat Cookery Book with Notes and Home Remedies, Useful Hints and Hindu Festivals. Popular Prakashan. 1991. pp. 159–. ISBN 978-81-7154-290-1. Retrieved 16 June 2012.
  114. Lise Winer (16 January 2009). Dictionary of the English/Creole of Trinidad & Tobago: On Historical Principles. McGill-Queen's Press – MQUP. pp. 460–. ISBN 978-0-7735-3406-3. Retrieved 16 June 2012.
  115. Halwa
  116. Malvi Doshi (1 November 2002). Cooking Along the Ganges: The Vegetarian Heritage of India. iUniverse. pp. 448–. ISBN 978-0-595-24422-5. Retrieved 16 June 2012.
  117. 119.0 119.1 Gil Marks (10 September 2010). Encyclopedia of Jewish Food. John Wiley & Sons. pp. 382–. ISBN 978-0-470-39130-3. Retrieved 16 June 2012.
  118. Barry A. Law (31 July 1997). Microbiology and Biochemistry of Cheese and Fermented Milk. Springer. pp. 128–. ISBN 978-0-7514-0346-6. Retrieved 16 June 2012.
  119. Elizabeth M. Collingham (2006). Curry: A Tale of Cooks And Conquerors. Oxford University Press. pp. 71–. ISBN 978-0-19-517241-6. Retrieved 16 June 2012.
  120. Mohini Sethi (1 January 2008). Institutional Food Management. New Age International. pp. 850–. ISBN 978-81-224-1525-4. Retrieved 16 June 2012.
  121. Yoder, Candie. "Masala Chai".
  122. Preetha, M. Soundariya (30 March 2008). "As coffee gets popular". The Hindu (Chennai).
  123. Anuja Balasubramanian; Hetal Jannu; Raj R. Patel, M.d.; Raj R Patel M D (26 June 2011). The Healthy Indian Diet. Raj Patel. pp. 170–. ISBN 978-1-4611-2213-5. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
  124. Lindsay Brown; Amelia Thomas (1 October 2008). Rajasthan, Delhi and Agra. Lonely Planet. p. 69. ISBN 978-1-74104-690-8. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
  125. Sharon Tyler Herbst; Ron Herbst (3 August 2007). The New Food Lover's Companion. Barron's snippet. ISBN 978-0-7641-3577-4. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
  126. Adak, Baishali (7 June 2012). "This sharbat is cool". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
  127. Ravi Menon (21 June 2010). "German froth Bitburger to debut in India". Retrieved 28 June 2012.
  128. Press Trust of India (21 September 2008). "Goan fenny, Assam tea, Lucknow chikan to get GI registry soon". The Economic Times (New Delhi, India). Retrieved 28 June 2012.
  129. All-Asia guide. Far Eastern Economic Review. 1978. p. 162. ISBN 978-0-8048-1266-5. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
  130. Charles W. Bamforth (29 September 2010). Beer Is Proof God Loves Us: Reaching for the Soul of Beer and Brewing. FT Press. p. 84. ISBN 978-0-13-706507-3. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
  131. Tarla Dalal (26 February 2001). Achaar Aur Parathe. Sanjay & Co. pp. 85–. ISBN 978-81-86469-54-5. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
  132. Pippa De Bruyn; Keith Bain; David Allardice; Shonar Joshi (12 February 2010). Frommer's India. John Wiley & Sons. pp. 38–. ISBN 978-0-470-60264-5. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
  133. Pamela Goyan Kittler; Kathryn P. Sucher; Marcia Nelms (22 August 2011). Food and Culture. Cengage Learning. pp. 449–. ISBN 978-0-538-73497-4. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
  134. "Cowed down by the ban". Hindustan Times.
  135. "Chapter 17, Verse 8,9,10". Bhagavad-Gita. Retrieved 2013-12-09.
  136. Shah, Natubhai (1998). Jainism: The World of Conquerors. Sussex Academic Press. p. 249. ISBN 978-1-898723-30-1. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  137. Noel Pitts Gist; Roy Dean Wright (1973). Marginality and Identity: Anglo-Indians as a Racially-mixed Minority in India. Brill Archive. pp. 139–. ISBN 978-90-04-03638-3. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
  138. Collingham, Lizzie (1 February 2006). "Curry". The New York Times Book Review. Retrieved 5 May 2010.
  139. "Tandoori Village Restaurant Brisbane". AsiaRooms.com.
  140. Hilary Davidson (21 December 2009). Frommer's Toronto 2010. John Wiley & Sons. pp. 113–. ISBN 978-0-470-54126-5. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
  141. Donald Olson (14 December 2009). Frommer's Vancouver and Victoria 2010. John Wiley & Sons. pp. 91–. ISBN 978-0-470-50735-3. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
  142. Gordon Mathews (30 June 2011). Ghetto at the Center of the World: Chungking Mansions, Hong Kong. University of Chicago Press. pp. 34–. ISBN 978-0-226-51020-0. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
  143. Majumdar, Manjira (27 March 2006). Rice Bonanza. Unicorn Books Pvt Ltd. p. 37. ISBN 978-81-7806-105-4. Retrieved 4 June 2012.
  144. Civitello, Linda (29 March 2011). Cuisine and Culture: A History of Food and People. John Wiley & Sons. p. 267. ISBN 978-0-470-40371-6. Retrieved 4 June 2012.
  145. "Indian food gains popularity during Chinese New Year". 20 February 2007.
  146. Then, Viviane. "Go India: Curry, my love?".
  147. "About Food in Malaysia". Travellers Worldwide. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
  148. Ann Kondo Corum (1 May 2000). Ethnic Foods of Hawai'i. Bess Press. pp. 174–. ISBN 978-1-57306-117-9. Retrieved 4 June 2012.
  149. 151.0 151.1 "Robin Cook's chicken tikka masala speech". The Guardian (London). 19 April 2001. Retrieved 25 February 2002.
  150. "Food Standards Agency – Curry factfile".
  151. Bhide, Monica (24 January 2007). "Tikka in No Time". The Washington Post. Retrieved 4 June 2012.
  152. "Indian restaurants in USA". Immihelp.com. Retrieved 4 June 2012.

Bibliography

  • Pat Chapman. India: Food & Cooking, New Holland, London — ISBN 978-1-84537-619-2 (2007)

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Cuisine of India.
Wikibooks Cookbook has a recipe/module on