Many first-timers to Indian food and cuisine carry age-old thoughts (read myths) with regards to the food of India. In the article below, get to understand the facts and background of some myths and even some truths about Indian food.

Indian Recipes are always spicy: This is the overall consensus among foreigners. Not true at all. While Indian food in general is more spicy, you will find a lot of cuisines where the recipes are even sweet and bland. So if spicy is not your preference you could try those cuisines, for starters Gujarati cuisines are perfect for individuals who dislike spicy food.

Infact traditional Indian cuisines from many areas of India might have that added masala but are generally less spicier than regions like Andhra Pradesh where recipes are very spicy in general.

The vast majority of Indian recipes are Vegetarian: Well, not entirely true. While many sections of India are strictly vegetarian, the array of non vegetarian food available in this part of the world is immense.

Many of the Hindus while vegetarian have traversed to the other side and there is a great population of non vegetarians in India. Muslims and Christians in India also consume meat, while Hindus dont eat them as they considered it sacred.

There isn’t variety in Indian cooking: Many, especially foreigners and first time visitors to India, are of the opinion that Indian food doesn’t have so much of choices. Indian cuisine is probably the most varied food-culture in the world!

Indian food = Chicken Tikka : This is a popular myth made famous by ethnic Indians in England. Chicken Tikka was originally a Persian dish brought to India by the Mughals. This was later adopted by the people of Punjab (in India and Pakistan). They created their own version of Chicken Tikka and took the recipe with them when many of them migrated and settled in Britain. Though it is highly popular in UK, it is not so much in India where it has to compete with hundreds of other local dishes.

Its all about curry: Another misconception While curry might have been made popular by South Asian ethnic groups in Britain and USA, it isn’t all about curry. Outside India, curry is generally referred to as a spicy, thick gravy, but curry isn’t just that, curry in South India means a vegetable side dish.

Indians eat food with their hands: Sometimes shocking to a visitor to India is the practice of eating food with hands. This is true as Indians consider eating with their hands as tastier as well as ritualistic. Also, most Indian dishes are difficult to be eaten with forks and spoons. Many Indians today use their hands as well as forks & spoons.

You will also find that in certain Indian regions, food is served on a banana leaf or an areca nut leaf. These traditions have been passed on to families since many generations and many modern Indian continue to follow then regardless of caste differences.

For more information and video recipes please go to the buzzing food community at ifood. If you are an Indian food lover you can also take a look at Indian Food Recipes and South Indian Recipes.

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