The Foods of India: How to Enjoy and Allow Your Senses to Wander

Indian foods are a diverse and unique style of food that mixes culture and spices of varying tolerances to bring out an aroma, color and texture that signifies and portrays their Indian heritage. A melting pot of sorts, Indian foods have been influenced through the years by numerous civilizations that have experimented, added or varied some of their own style of dishes with those of India. With an estimated population of over 1 billion people, many countries have offered their unique and diverse array of foods, spices and preparational processes in making the foods of India what they are today. Influences from Portugal, China, Britain, Italy and England are all prevalent in the dishes, spices and ingredients used in Indian foods. When we think of India, yes, I guess you can say that Indiana Jones or cows running free in the streets of Calcutta,may come to mind, but when dealing with Indian foods, spices should ring a bell...and lots of them with the more the merrier mentality being the norm!

The spices used by the people of India are as diverse as their homeland. The abundant amount of pungent and colorful spices has a place in every kitchen across India. The reason that I can say this is the aromas used in Indian dishes are constantly following you where ever you travel throughout India. Whether it be the northern, Eastern, Western or Southern part of India, spices, and generous amounts of them, will be used in their dishes to enhance the different foods associated with each area of India.

Many of the people of India are vegetarians , however there are those who prefer various meats and seafood as well. For the most part these foods are eaten without utensils, with the exception of a spoon for soups. It is proper etiquette to eat with the right hand and the food should not pass above the first joint of your fingers. Many Indian dishes are served with a form of flatbread, that is used to help scoop up soups, meal items and wrap up rice and vegetables.

For the most part people of India cook in what is known as a Tandoori, which are nothing more than an earthenware pot that is heated to very high temperatures by a coal fire. Cooking foods at high temperatures essentially helps to seal in the juices of the food as well as offers a distinct flavor, comparable to that of smoked foods cooked with hickory wood.

Fresh foods are key components to the freshness and taste of foods in India. Numerous marketplaces and street vendors offer various items to account for most of the meals in India. Much of the seafood, vegetables, meats and fruits are harvested each day to ensure freshness. The spices that make India food what it is are plentiful and diverse with many of these spices, being endemic to a small part of India. It is these various spices of varying colors, consistency and taste that set Indian foods apart. Fenugreek, cumin, cardomon, ginger, cinnamon, aniseed, nutmeg, mustard, turmeric, paprika, cloves, sea salt and pepper represent just a small list of some of these spices that make Indian food what it is today. In addition to these spices being used to really kick up the uniqueness of a particular region but many of these spices are respected and regarded for their medical(antioxidant), mood enhancing and aromatherapy benefits.

Many foods are prepared with coconut in a chutney sauce or are made of a base of milk(buttermilk), yogurt or cottage cheese. Depending on the location in India, the foods, dishes, preparation and style will be very different. A wide selection of berries, nuts, wheat flour, brown sugar, vinegar and honey to form sweet and sour sauces are cooked in an olive or mustard oil. Some of the key staples are rice, lentils, lamb, dahl, pulses, chicken, semolina and countless shellfish and local fish. Various food styles like, Bengali, Kerela, Karnataka, Maharashtrian, Gujarati and Punjabi are as unique and diverse to the people living there as the land they inhabit.

The regional dishes and vast array of spices and other ingredients affords you the ability to choose from a long list of food dishes, whether it is a simple or detailed dish with a spicy or sweet taste to please the palette. Vegetable only dishes or seafood to meat fair, you will find something that will suit your taste and willingness to experiment with and encounter something new.

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