Page 98 - Book - FF.cdr

Young Minds Speak Article
INDIAN CUISINE AND ITS POPULARITY AROUND THE GLOBE

Indian cuisine consists of a wide variety of regional and traditional cuisines native to the
Indian subcontinent. The range of diversity is in soil type, climate, culture, ethnic groups, and
occupations. There are a variety of dishes available in Indian cuisine, and the way of cooking
style differs from region to region. India is known for its diverse food recipes that are served at
famous Indian restaurants worldwide. For example "Chicken Tikka Masala" is the most
popular dish of London which Londoners love to relish upon. Each region in India has its own
set of Indian cuisine to offer so the menus of India become even more diversified thus giving
people from all over the globe a wide array of choices when ordering Indian cuisine. The
fame of Indian food has reached all foreign shores and there is galloping demand for it
from all quarters. These cuisines vary substantially from each other and use locally
available spices, herbs, vegetables, and fruits. Indian food is also heavily
influenced by religion, in particular Hindu, cultural choices and traditions.
The cuisine is also influenced by centuries of Islamic rule, particularly the
Mughal rule. Historical events such as foreign invasions, trade relations,
and colonialism have played a role in introducing certain foods to this country.
Almost in every country in this world, perhaps, you will find an Indian restaurant
or a restaurant that offers Indian cuisine. This is the influence, which Indian cuisine
makes to the eyes of the world. While, it represents its culture along its food which
popularizes India and its cuisine across the globe. Its simplicity resulted in its popularity.
Whilst people think that Indian recipes are so difficult to produce, it could be noted that it is
a simple cuisine that anybody can try cooking by simply referring to cookbooks or TV
shows. Its simplicity is enhanced even better by the nutritional value one can get
from the cuisine maintained by the spices and masalas mixed to enhance the
food's taste. Indian food is famous world over for its use of multifarious herbs
and spices. The impact of globalization and spread of Indian people have
given a big boost to the popularity of Indian food. The global interest in
Indian food is already amplified by the way it is beinghailed in the mass
media as India's soft power. Indian food has earned the attention of even
Hollywood films such as Mistress of Spices and Today's Special besides numerous
television shows where Indian curries and food are appreciated as in Outsourced and
The Big Bang Theory shows. The surge in number of customers visiting Indian
restaurants abroad to taste the Indian delicacies such as kebabs, chicken tikka masala,
biryani, curries, masala dosa and naan in UK, US, Canada, Middle East, Australia and
even China speaks a lot about the craze Indian food has unleashed. Ayurveda, India's
medical science, is known as a natural treatment for several body ailments. The
Ayurveda principle is based on eating healthy and nutritious Indian food. Apart
from using this treatment, people of India also make use of the fitness
exercise called yoga which is likewise influenced by Indian food. Both
Ayurveda and Yoga has grown in popularity all over the globe thus making
more and more individuals appreciate the health benefits of Indian cuisine. It is
with no doubt that Indian cuisine has built an influence to many nations all over
the globe as evidenced by the popularity of this food. Indian food is simple,
sophisticated and subtle with all its exotic ingredients, the whole palette of tongue-
tingling flavors and unfamiliar dishes. Indian cuisine can be both exciting and intimidating
“It's such a complete world of taste”. Indian cuisine a unique blend of cuisines evolved
through large scale cultural interactions.

Sahaj Srivastava
rd
B.Sc., 3 year
82