Know Your Indian Cuisine: Instead of Simplifying try to understand it

 

Know Your Indian Cuisine: Instead of Simplifying try to understand it

India’s cuisine is as rich and diverse as her people. It has evolved over the years and has a strong connection to its culture, history, and geography. The dietary patterns have also evolved based on various religious practices. The cultivation and availability of various types of spices and their extensive use in many recipes has always been a predominant feature of Indian food. Spices are an important part of Indian cuisine their correct use and quantity of blending plays a major role in enhancing the flavour and aroma of a dish. Even oil is an important part of cooking and each region has its preference.

Ayurveda and spiritual teachings had exerted a strong influence on many Indian food recipes and eating patterns to be conscious and mindful of what we eat, when we eat and how we eat it based on every individual’s unique health needs. Besides being one of the oldest in the world, Indian cuisine is an amalgam of history and a confluence of cultures. To a large extent it is linked to religion, with many rules about food, its preparation and how to serve it. Traditional serving styles vary from region to region in India.

Diversity can be found in India’s food as well as its culture, geography and climate. The traditional Indian food culture should not be overlooked by us as it shows the identity of the Indian people itself in terms of culture and norms. We should understand the richness and values of our culture rather than trying to simplifying without understanding it. Indian cuisine is a simple cuisine at its own understanding the regional cuisine which is formed due to the historical influences, geographical location, climatic condition and seasonal availability are the key factors. The territory is large and, as such, there are plenty of ingredients and ways of cooking so, regional cuisine plays a major role in understanding culture and richness of Indian cuisine.

Today Consumers are becoming more and more conscious about the food they eat various aspects plays a role in their buying decision. As in the era of globalization in the twenty-first century no country in the world can demonstrate such a complete and unmatched mastery of the use of spices in their food as India. So it’s wise to explore the Indian cooking techniques, ingredients and use of spices now available to professional chefs.

In all cultural traditions, food is only one aspect but yet it is probably one of the most persistent. Food is a source of pleasure, comfort and security. Food is also a symbol of hospitality, social status, and religious significance. With the changing lifestyle and working population residing and changing culture of generations becoming more cosmopolitan in their lives and food habits as well. There have been tremendous changes in food habits and intake patterns owing to the increase in changing lifestyles, women employment, per capita Income and other environmental factors.

Mostly all the Indians love their own cuisine but kids are used to international food which lead to fusion kitchen: e.g. pasta with Indian spices. In Delhi globalization has played an important role in the transformation of food. foreign food brands are easily available in many stores, and consumers have access to varieties of food that were not previously available to them products like Greek olives, Italian dressing, Mix herbs, Mexican salsa, French cheese, Swiss chocolate etc. in several shops. Dining Experience, which includes different dining experiences, authentic restaurant design, restaurant atmosphere, and cultural learning. These factors can be controlled to a large extent by restaurant management.

Government is taking various steps to preserve, document, promote and disseminate Indian cuisine. Chefs and culinary historians from India are also doing a great job across the world by promoting Indian dishes and exchanging their ideas on India's gastronomical diversity and heritage as a source for promoting a sustainable lifestyle worldwide. Indian cuisine is no less than any treasure and we need to share it with the world what we have in order to promote Indian cuisine as our Upanishad also says “Om Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah
Sarve Santu Nir-Aamayaah”.

With proper knowledge and standard operating procedures keeping in mind the health consequences we can make our people understand about our vast cuisine. This can be achieved by working towards this common goal through infrastructure development, Government support, and tourism promotion by creating Indian Cuisine as a brand identity. As the world cuisine is becoming increasingly popular in India we also need our local food to be pushing traditional boundaries with a vision of making Indian Cuisine a world Healthiest Cuisine.