Busting Myths about Indian Cuisine

India is a country with unique culinary experiences and it has a variety of delicious dishes to offer. Indian food is not just popular around the USA but it has spread across every continent and so many people truly enjoy Indian cuisine. But still, there is a population having second thoughts about experiencing Indian cuisine due to some myths revolving around it. This article is all set to bust some of the myths around Indian cuisine and present you with the facts against them.

Indian cuisine is one of the most well-known cuisines across the world. It is a celebration of flavors. Authentic Indian cuisine is prepared with a lot of fresh raw materials including fresh vegetables and aromatic spices. Indian cuisine and cooking methods are highly influenced by Ayurveda, an ancient medicinal practice that contains 6 tastes: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent, and astringent. This is why authentic Indian cuisine and most dishes have complex flavors, extraordinary texture, and vibrant colors. Indians prefer having their food with fingers or a variety of bread like chapati, roti, naan, poori, or naan.

Even with this rich variety of food experiences it offers, Indian cuisine is surrounded by many misconceptions or myths.

So, we thought, we bring some reality about authentic Indian cuisine and bust some myths along with their supporting facts. Get ready to dive into some interesting facts about Indian cuisine.

Myth 1. Indian food is too spicy and hot

Fact: Indian food is not just about spices but it’s about rich flavors and aromas.

Yes, Indian food and spices have a special relationship but authentic Indian food is enriched with a variety of spices, and not every Indian dish is hot and spicy. Many Indian dishes like Saag, Aloo Gobi, or Dals are mild in flavor and tasteful. Indians prefer making almost every meal from scratch so they are fresh to eat and deliver the right amount of nutrition.

Is Indian food too spicy for you? You can completely avoid chilies in your recipes if you stay away from hot Indian food. Spices like cardamom, cinnamon, coriander, cumin, ginger, and turmeric DO NOT bring heat and thus you will be able to enjoy authentic Indian cuisine when these ingredients are used in the right amount.

Myth 2. Everything is curry on Indian cuisine

Fact: Indian food is more than just curry, it has a variety of dishes like sabzis, rotis, biryanis, raitas, pickles, sides, and desserts.

Most of the time, Indian food is turned down as people think it’s just about curry. But authentic Indian cuisine is beyond it. Sabzis (spicy Indian dishes) made with various fresh vegetables and spices are the main course in Indian cuisine which are enjoyed with various flatbreads. There are sides like raitas, papad, and pickles. Then there are multiple dals which can be relished with a variety of rice preparations and finally, there are so many desserts and mithais one can enjoy. So, yes, the Indian diet is not just limited to curry but it’s a sound fusion of freshly ground spices, vegetables, and other ingredients.

Myth 3. Indian food has only one kind of bread – Roti!

Fact: There are almost 22 Indian bread types!

Indian food dishes can be best enjoyed with bread! Different parts of India have a variety of Indian bread prepared with several flours like wheat flour, corn flour, and flour made with millets. Some types of bread are baked, some are fried and some are steamed.

In many parts of Western countries, people are familiar with only one kind of Indian flatbread – Naan as it can be easily made with Maida, a type of refined wheat flour, and baked in a tandoor (a clay oven). But there are more Indian bread types to enjoy like Chapati, Paratha, Poori, Luchi, Kulcha, Appam, Bhatura, and many more. If you have only enjoyed naan at your favorite Indian spot, you are missing a lot of fun.

Myth 4. Indians enjoy only a few types of rice

Fact: There are almost 6,000 types of rice cultivated and enjoyed in India.

Well, we cannot name them all in this article but, yes, Indians love rice. There are around 6000 different varieties of rice enjoyed in India, and the most popular kind of Basmati which again has different varieties. Some other varieties of rice enjoyed in India are Jasmine rice, brown rice, red rice, and black rice. Different varieties of rice are enjoyed with sabzis, and dals, and some are enjoyed in Indian traditional desserts like Kheer.

Myth 5. Indian food is not diet-friendly

Fact: Indian food is healthy too! It’s just about your choice.

Different Indian dishes are enjoyed on different occasions and when there are celebrations Indians don’t care about the calorie count. But the regular Indian diet people have, like daily meals, are tasty and nutritious. For example, if you order a complete Indian thali in an Indian restaurant, you will find all the items from starters to desserts which are a well-balanced diet and provide you a complete pack of nutrition. Just have a look at this article – All about the Indian balanced diet, Thali! and you will get to know it better.

To get more clarity on authentic Indian cuisine, and its different dimensions, you can read this article from Rajbhog Foods.

We hope you are now clear with all the myths and ready to enjoy authentic Indian cuisine. Rajbhog Foods has been serving Indian food for the past 40 years and we have successfully won the hearts of not just Indians but all the Americans here.

Since Independence Day is here, you can visit the Rajbhog Café or a grocery store near you and Celebrate the 4th of July with Indian Food!