Food isn't just for consumption and survival. Through the centuries, food has also become the gateway to many cultures. Dishes from different cuisines often contain unique flavours that make them distinct. And so, when you learn about a particular country's food, you are often looking into their culture. 

For this article, we will be learning about Indian culture through the prominent flavours found in their cuisines.

What Is the Typical Indian Meal?

Like many other countries in Asia, food plays a significant role in Indian culture. The everyday meals consist of various recipes specially prepared to lift the spirit, cure or alleviate any health issues and bring balance to the body.

Of course, Indian cuisine is diverse. However, a traditional Indian meal usually consists of rice, flatbread, curries and a wide variety of vegetarian dishes. Rice is a staple in the Indian diet. And so is bread, which is either unleavened iddlies or parathas.

Rice is always accompanied with flatbreads such as chapati, roti and naan. These are usually added with many colourful curries such as spinach, eggplant, cauliflower, potatoes and more.

Another typical dish served in an Indian meal is the subji, the term for vegetables in the Indian language. These vegetables are either cooked to retain the crunch or cooked in an authentic curry based on a combination of spices that embody the flavours that are well-known with Indian cuisine.

What Are the Major Flavour Components in Indian Cuisine?

Indian cuisine is a combination of several distinct flavours. It is characterised by each dish's spicy, tangy and salty taste. To achieve these flavours, the Indians use spices and herbs, which give the food a unique flavour.

Indian Spices and Herbs

There are several spices and herbs that the Indians use, but the most popular ones are turmeric, curry, coriander and ginger. These are usually combined in many ways to achieve the best flavour for their dishes.

Turmeric: A staple in Indian dishes, turmeric is highly used for its anti-inflammatory properties and its bright yellow colour. Turmeric is widely used to add flavour to dishes such as chicken biryani and lentil curry.

Curry: A blend of several spices, curry is widely used in Indian cuisine. The curry adds an earthy and sweet taste to their dishes. It is also used to add a yellow colour to dals and rice.

Coriander: Coriander is widely used in Indian dishes. It has essential oils that can effectively clear up the skin and commonly cure digestive problems.

Ginger: Ginger is widely used to add tanginess to Indian dishes. It is also used to remove some of the health risks associated with high-fat diets.

Final Thoughts

Food is not just a way to satisfy your stomach. It is also a way to connect and embrace the culture that you are in and know more about another culture. With this article, you now have a better understanding of Indian cuisine which can help you connect more with Indian culture as you discover more about it.

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