Wait, WHAT? Samosa is not an Indian snack? The beloved Gulab Jamun did not even exist in our country some centuries ago? Startling, isn't it? Mayur Sanap/Rediff.com discovers some shockers about our commonly-eaten foods that are sure to surprise you too. But good food migrates and is, of course, the product of many infleunces.
There is reason to believe this undisputed king of Indian veg cuisine, arrived in India via the Silk Route from Iran or Afghanistan. That could explain its lack of popularity in South India. Speculation also says it may have travelled from India westwards. Stories about Lord Krishna & butter, buttermilk exist but not paneer. Paneer is derived from the Persian word panir. A cheese named peynir is eaten all over western Asia.
The deliciously twisty jalebi, that we enjoy with milk or Rabdi, has its roots in the Middle East and came late to India. Interestingly, the name comes from a Persian-Arabic word zalabiya or fritter and has several names in the regions it is relished, north Africa, parts of Europe, Middle East, Asia, like funnel cake, chebakia, zlebia, zülbiya, gwaramari, pitulitsi, zolbiya, pittule and jilapi.
Please check out our jalebi recipe here.
No way, Gulab Jamun is not Indian? Well, the story goes that this sugary delight is from Persia and the Mediterranean & found its way to India via Turkish rulers. Another tale suggests that it came together in Indian Mughal courts, but had Persian influences. Gulab is a Persian word. So is the use of rose syrup. There is a slightly different Persian dessert called luqmat al qadi that looks just like Gulab Jamuns.
Love Gulab Jamun? Check out our yumilicious recipe.
Now a popular Goan delicacy, the pungent Vindaloo, or vindalho, is a spicier derivative of the Portuguese Carne de Vinha d'Alhos, a garlic meat preparation that uses vinegar and wine, eaten at Christmas in Madeira. It was brought to Goa by the Portuguese in the 15th century and the Goans made it their own.
Two theories for the beginnings of idlis persist. Some historians cite references to idlis in Kannada works -- Shivakotiacharya's 920 AD Vaddaradhane, or Chavundaraya II's Lokopakara from 1025 AD. Others suggest idlis were made for Hindu Indonesian kings, journeying to India between 800 and 1200 AD. There are naturally many food commonalities between South India and Malaysia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka.
The all-time favourite snack originally hails from Persia, which is modern-day Iran and travelled the Silk Route to India. The name samosa is derived from a Persian word sambusak! They were stuffed with meat, nuts and spices and it is believed they got their potato filling in India.
Are you a Samosa enthusiast? Please check out this recipe.
Chai not being from India almost sounds blasphemous. But that’s the truth. Chai originated in China (can you see the co-relation?). The British introduced chai to India and started commerical cultivation in Assam, Darjeeling and elsewhere. Other historical sources suggest wild tea was always drunk in India, especially in the Northeast, and may have even been a name for the Vedic Soma.
India's most-ordered dish on Zomato, elbowing out the likes of pizza, pasta and noodles, actually originated in Persia! The word itself gives away its origin: birian basically means rice in Perisian.
If you are an avid biryani lover, please find a great recipe here.
Rajma-Rice may be a staple in north Indian households, but rajma or lobia or red kidney beans was originally never cultivated in India. Of Mexican origin, although first grown in Peru, rajma is believed to have been introduced in India by the Portuguese who had travelled extensively in North America and South America too.
Our beloved comfort food Dal Chawal, according to many sources, actually finds its origin in neighbouring Himalayan country Nepal, where it is called as Dal Bhaat. A plate of Dal Bhaat typically comes with dry preparations of sabzi and some spicy pickle. A popular Nepali phrase 'Dal Bhat Power 24 Hour' emphasises this balanced meal which helps to sustain during high-altitude hiking.
Yes, just like tea, even coffee is not Indian-born. It is believed that Baba Budan, a Sufi, brought coffee beans from Yemen to India after his pilgrimage from Mecca. After his return, he eventually settled in Karnataka's Chikkamagaluru and began coffee cultivation. And tha’s how the delicious cuppa of filter kaapi came into being!
Sorry, folks, the Samosa Is Not Indian
Akbar to Aurangzeb, they all ate Khichdi!