Indian food traditions: A comprehensive guide
India, a country with many different cultures, languages, and geographical features, has a rich and varied culinary legacy. Indian cuisine's flavors, preparation methods, and customs have been refined through many years, with each region adding its own unique flavor to the country's culinary tapestry. Join us as we embark on a journey to understand the reason behind food traditions that are relevant even today.
Sitting on the floor to eat
Sitting on the floor while eating remains a prevalent practice in many households. According to studies, there are many health benefits to this practice. A person uses more muscles when sitting on the floor in a lotus pose as opposed to a chair. It is believed that the repeated bending of the spine to eat food in this position helps improve blood circulation.
Eating with one's hands
Ayurveda claims that this technique stimulates the five elements represented by our five fingers and aids in the release of digestive juices, facilitating easy digestion of meals and improving blood circulation. Eating with our hands enhances our perception of flavor, texture, and aroma of the food because the nerve endings on our fingertips send signals to the stomach.
Serving food on leaves
Food is often served on leaves like those of lotus, jackfruit, and banana. Besides the traditional significance, it also has health advantages. When hot dishes are placed on the leaves, the nutrients and antioxidants from the leaves diffuse into the food. Additionally, the flavor of the dishes served is enhanced by the aroma of the leaf, which also adds to the whole dining experience.
Finishing food on the plate
According to Indian traditions, leaving food on the plate is considered disrespectful. It is advised to take only a sufficient amount on the plate and finish it. Furthermore, playing with the food on your plate is not appreciated either. Also, in many parts of the country, it is considered obscene to use one's left hand to eat a meal.
Eating thali-style meals
A thali is a traditional meal served on a huge plate with numerous small bowls containing a variety of dishes. Eating this way lets you take advantage of everything that is on the table. Thali is a balanced meal that offers all the necessary nutrients on a single plate. Thalis also demonstrate India's cultural richness by exhibiting numerous unique flavors from many places together.
