Some tasty facts about the culinary fare of India, courtesy of the India Ministry of Tourism:
- An authentic Indian curry is an intricate combination of a stir-fried masala--a mixture of onion, garlic, ginger, tomato, and various spices and seasonings--poured over meat, poultry, vegetables, or fish to produce a stew-type dish.
- Food in India is wide ranging in variety, taste and flavor. Being so diverse geographically, each region has its own cuisine and style of preparation.
- In India, recipes are handed down from generation to generation.
- Most of the spices used in Indian cooking were originally chosen thousands of years ago for their medicinal qualities and not for flavor. Many of them, such as turmeric, cloves and cardamoms, served as antiseptics. Others, like ginger, are good for digestion.
- Food is categorized into six tastes: sweet, sour, salty, spicy, bitter, and astringent. A well-balanced Indian meal contains all six tastes. Side dishes and condiments like chutneys, curries, daals, and Indian pickles contribute to the texture of a meal and are used to round out the flavors.
