No there is not any battle going on between Paratha and Puri here. But yes, we are surely trying to differentiate between the two. These are the 2 popular Indian pieces of bread that are being cooked in most of the Indian houses. Be it the Paratha, or be it the Puri, people love eating both. In almost every Indian Dhaba, you will surely see “Paratha”. Similarly, in almost every Indian wedding, you will find the “Puri” being served. Both of these have their place and one can eat them with different types of cooked vegetables. 

PARATHA

It is also called flat-bread in English. The origin-country of the Paratha is India only. However, it is not just being cooked in India, but it is being cooked and served in other countries also. Like Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. Can you guess how this Indian bread was given the name Paratha? This name has emerged from the two words, that are Parat and Atta. The complete meaning of the two words is “layers of the dough which is being cooked”. And if you ever had paratha, or if you have seen one making Paratha, you will know that it completely resembles the meaning of these two words together. Mainly the Parathas are cooked using wheat flour (atta or maida). Parathas are more popular in Northern India. In different places, Parathas are called with different names. Like in Punjab, people call them Parontay or Prontha. In the Bengali and Malayalam languages, people call them Porota. In Assamese, it is called Porotha. In Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Mauritius, people call them Farata. In Burma, people call it Palata. 

PURI

This is a deep-fried Indian Bread, and its origin is also in the Indian subcontinent only. The word Puri comes from the Sanskrit word ‘Purika’, which means filled. Other than India, Puri is also popular in Bangladesh, Nepal, Burma, Pakistan, Singapore, and Malaysia. It is deep-fried in oil but still is considered a light meal. Generally, people prefer to eat it with bhaji or curry. That is why the combination of Puri-Bhaji is popular in different parts of India. Puri is cooked using wheat flour only. But there are different variations of Puri which are completely different in taste and are cooked using other things like Luchi, Bhatoora, Panipuri, and Sev-puri. In many places, people also offer Puri and Halwa as Prasadam while offering prayers. In most of the languages, be it Bengali or Assamese or Marathi, Puri is called Puri only.       

SIMILARITIES BETWEEN PARATHA AND PURI 

Before we start talking about the differences between the two, let’s know some of the similarities between the two. Both Paratha and Puri are cooked using the oil, however which one has more oil and which one has less oil, we will read about that below. Both Paratha and Puri have different varieties apart from the plain Paratha and plain Puri. We have different types of Parathas available like Aaloo-Paratha, Gobhi-Paratha, Paneer-Paratha, Matar-Paratha, Methi-Paratha, Pyaaz-Paratha, etc. Similarly, we have a variety of Puries also like Palak-Puri which is also called Hari Bhari-Puri in some regions, Moongdal-Puri, Matar-Puri, and a few more. Be it the Paratha or be it the Puri, mostly, they are being served during breakfast only. Now, we know the similarities between the two, so it’s time to know about the differences between the two. 

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PARATHA AND PURI 

You all read above what is Paratha and what is Puri. So, by reading that you would have got a little bit of idea of the difference between the two. Paratha is a flatbread cooked using oil or ghee. However, Puri is a small round shaped Indian bread, which is deep-fried in oil. Paratha has few layers inside it and that is why it is named Paratha. Whereas, the Puri forms a shape of a bubble when deep-fried, as the air gets filled inside it. This is also one of the reasons why it is being named Puri, as it gets filled. They may be prepared using the same wheat flour, but the preparation and the cooking method both are different. 

WHICH ONE IS MORE OILY: PURI OR PARATHA?  

Paratha absorbs more oil as compare to Puri. Since generally Parathas are cooked on low flame (shallow-fried). Puries absorb less oil as these are cooked on high flame and Puri floats on the surface of the oil.       

WHICH ONE IS NUTRITIONALLY BETTER: PURI OR PARATHA?  

1. The oil of Puri is usually heated at high temperature and crosses its smoking points, this may create carcinogens. Parathas are better here as it is cooked on low flame.  

2. In Restaurants or Dhabas, Puries generally cooked on reused oil, which is a source of trans-fats and not good for your heart. Even at home also, we commit this mistake. In Parathas people generally use fresh oil, hence better as compare to Purses. However, if you are eating Purses at home, you can take care of the oil issue. 

3. Using non-stick Tava for Parathas is very beneficial for nutritional point of you as you can cook Paratha in just one teaspoon of oil. Whereas you wouldn’t get this option in Puries as you will have to deep fry! 

4. During cooking of Parathas you have an option to use fresh oil, so there is no chance to get trans fats in your body.  

KEY LEARNINGS·        

1. Parathas and Puri both are popular and have their own delicacy in terms of preparation and taste. 

2. Both are served as breakfast meals heavily. 

3. Parathas are shallow fried and Puries are deep-fried. 

4. During traditional cooking methods, Puries consume less oil in comparison to Paratha. 

5. If you are using non-stick Tava for Paratha, you can overcome the oil issue.·        

6. Puries have more chance to receive trans-fats, which are unhealthy for heart health.·        

7. Once in a while, there is no harm to eat Parathas and Puries. ·        

8. If you are a lover of Parathas and Puries on regular basis, no-issue! you can talk to your Dietitian to plan your diet as per your preference. But don’t forget to do regular exercise to burn deposited fat in the body from Paratha & Puri!

Wishing You the Good Health!

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