Why Do British Love Indian Cuisine: A Glimpse of History
SUHEL AHMED • 22 July 2021
The British occupied India for almost 200 years. There is no denying that their occupation influenced India greatly, but the inhabitants of South Asia also had great influence over their colonisers.
For example, the phrase “Going for a curry?” is a commonly used expression in the UK, which only shows how significant the impact of India is on their culture. In this article, we will explore how deep that is in terms of Indian food.
The Timeline: When Did Indian Food Reach Britain
The influence started as early as the 18th century. After establishing trade between great distances, British travellers began to fall in love with India and its culture. Many left Europe to live in India with the locals, while others returned home with India’s treasures. Many Indians also went to live in the United Kingdom.
Frequent travellers between the nations found that the first thing they looked forward to is tasting Indian food again. Besides being healthy, Indian food uses various herbs and spices to create rich and incredibly complex flavours.
That led to the introduction of Indian food at a cafe called Coffee House in the Haymarket of London in 1773. That venture inspired many entrepreneurs to bring the cuisine to the country. The first full Indian restaurant in Britain was opened in 1810 by Sake Dean Mahomed. He called the place the Hindostanee Coffee House.
Currently, the oldest surviving Indian restaurant you will see in the country is called Veeraswami. It was opened in 1926 by the great-grandson of an English General and Indian Mughal princess.
Queen Victoria and Her First Encounter With the Indian Food
One unforgettable moment in the history of Indian food was when Queen Victoria first had her taste of authentic Indian food. It was a curry brought in by her beloved servant and friend, Abdul Karim. From then on, Abdul was made to cook her the same menu on most days of the week.
Slowly, people from outside the castle started hearing about the news and got curious about the food and its taste.
British People’s Love for Indian Food
If you are curious as to how this love came about, besides Queen Victoria’s influence, here are the reasons the British people are so fond of the Indian food:
- The Adventurous Experience
The British see Indian food as something adventurous. The spices used are uncommon to the British palette, especially since they are undeniably strong and varied. Indian dishes are so complex that no two houses might have the same recipe for the same dish.
- The Great Flavours
You would never find food in India that is not rich in flavour, which is another reason the British love it. There is so much in every bite that the experience is new every time.
- The Healthiness
A bonus perk that comes with an Indian meal is the nutrients. One delicious meal, and you would have various vitamins and minerals in your system. Indians love to use many vegetables and spices in their food so you can guarantee healthy eating.
Conclusion
People love Indian food, and British people are among the top fans because of its rich flavour, authentic taste, and strong appeal to their tastebuds. It has been a favourite since the 18th century, and the love for the cuisine has never stopped.
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