Written By Tiaara Pandey (Grade 6)
Spicy! Sour! Sweet! Packed with flavourful spices and aromatic herbs, Indian cuisine is one of the most popular in the world, and there is no doubt as to why. From the spicy Chola of Panjab to the soft Idlis of South India, every bite of food that you take is unique to its state.
Just like the language is different in every state, so is the food. The dishes prepared in a certain place depend on the spices and crops grown in that area. The invaders that came to India also were very important as some crops that were brought here have now become an integral factor in our dishes. For me, the best part about Indian food is that it’s delicious ad has the right amount of spices. It’s very healthy, and it’s a balanced meal by itself! Indian dishes use more than 200 spices! It is also one of the most diverse foods in the world. Every ingredient that is used, is separate from all the others. Meaning that every vegetable, grain, herbs and spice that are used have their own flavour, and only when you mixed them all together do you get the unique and distinctive flavours. As Guy Fieri said, “Cooking is all about people. Food is maybe the only universal thing that really has the power to bring everyone together. No matter what culture, everywhere around the world, people eat together.” This is true, food indeed binds us together. Like when there is a festival, we invite people over for dinner and spend the evening chatting and laughing over a delicious home-cooked meal and also strengthening our bond with other people. It is rightly said, “Food brings people together on many different levels. It’s the nourishment of the soul and body; it’s true love.” It is food that brings genuine happiness. Just like the delectable and ambrosial Indian food. So, like Nikita Dudani said, “Eat like nobody is watching. Enjoy food like that’s the only thing left in your world.”
Featured Image Courtesy – Times of India