As you travel round the world, you will find different cultures and traditions that are unique to the land and the people of that place. Similarly, you have many different ways of eating, cooking and serving food and what we call “the food lifestyle”. When we speak of India, it has the most unique food cultures in the entire world. And, if you move around the world, you would realize that nobody does food as we do in India. India is so diversified that every part of India has its own way of preparing, serving and eating food. It won’t be wrong if we proudly say that Indian food has life and love that is deeply infused into it. You live the food and love its essence. Whether it is a special occasion or a moment of celebration or even a moment of grief, there is a food culture that is attached to everything and people participate in it wholeheartedly. Food reflects in each and every aspect of life in India.
How and what makes Indian food lifestyle different and unique in its own style?
Noted how the Indian food lifestyle is unique that makes it completely different from the rest of the world:
Everything on one plate
Unlike other cultures, Indians like to have their roti and rice together. Rice is the staple Indian food and is eaten mainly in the Southern part of the country. Rice is eaten both with vegetables and meats. Whereas, in the Northern regions of India, there are more of roti eaters, but some rice as a must.
The great Indian everyday thali
Continuing further, Indian meal is not only about one or two dishes, but an amalgamation of dishes that will definitely have two to three different kinds of vegetables, pulses, roti or paratha, rice preparation, poppadom, some savory, yoghurt and pickles and off course a dessert to end with. This exceptional combination is for sure you will not find anywhere else and that two on a single thali.
The use of spices
It could be true that people around the world enjoy their veggies or meats grilled or roasted with just some pepper and salt. But, in India it is unimaginable, as we Indians cannot imagine food without our favorite spices. Even the easiest and simplest of food made at home is bound to have at least 5 to 10 masalas or spices in it.
The vegetable quotient
Nobody knows or does vegetarian food better than Indian. Our vegetarian food culture expands well beyond sauté and salads. Vegetarian food is an art in India.
Eating with Hands
This is a unique feature that cannot be missed when we say about Indian foods. It is not that Indians do not eat pizzas or burgers or fries using fingers, knife and fork, but you ask any Indian, you will know that no Indian is satisfied until he or she dips his roti or paratha in his or her favorite gravy with hands and eat it licking the fingers clean after the bite. Indians have to say that licking finger, makes them involve all their senses – sight, smell, taste, hearing and touch in the eating process. Somethings that can never be enjoyed eating with knife, fork and spoon.
The seating, eating and serving style
Traditionally Indians use to sit on the floor and eat. But with modern lifestyle, constrain of eating place and other aspects like influence of the Western culture have changed the tradition into seat and eat on the dining table. But, after all one thing has not changed is the practice of eating together. In Indian culture, it is considered good manners and respect for each other to wait and eat together, irrespective of age, tradition, values and cultures.
End every meal with a sweet treat
Our varsity in desserts are also unmatched. We have a lot of liquid desserts in our kitty and are made in every household on a regular basis. Unlike baking, Indians prefer cooking. Kheer and rasmalai are good examples. It is in our tradition to end every meal with a dessert.