UMeDesi.comAbout Indian food and related information
Spices were big business back in the day! And business was booming. We are talking about ancient times here, not like a few years ago. Read below to learn all about the ancient spice trade and how far and wide the Indian spices were in demand. Once you read this – it should become clear […]
Mangos or Mangoes? Both “mangos” and “mangoes” are correct spellings. The plural of mango can be spelled either way. The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) lists both spellings as acceptable. The OED also notes that the spelling “mangoes” is more common in British English, while the spelling “mangos” is more common in American English. Ultimately, the […]
What is Jaggery? Jaggery is a traditional non-centrifugal cane sugar consumed in many parts of the world, especially in South Asia and Africa. What is Jaggery made of? Generally, it is made from sugarcane juice that is boiled down and then left to cool and solidify. Jaggery can also be made from date palm sap […]
Why do Indians eat with their hands? Eating with hands is a common practice in many cultures around the world, including India. Indian cuisine is incredibly diverse, with a wide array of flavors, textures, and aromas and the foods of India mostly require one to use their hands with some level of dexterity. Indian food […]
What’s gunpowder? It’s really nothing to do with real gunpowder – but some spice mixes from southern India are referred to gunpowder by folks from other regions (in jest of course) – because of the spicy nature of these spicy mixes. Let us look at some of these – what they are and how and […]
Let’s check out some spices. Now most of the spices you saw in the video seem familiar – but did you know that some of the spices used did not even originate in the Indian Subcontinent? Did you know – potato – known as aaloo or batata or whatever it’s called where you are from […]
What about Southern Masalas? South Indian cuisine also uses a variety of spice blends or masalas, but they are different from the garam masala used in Northern Indian cuisine. Here are some examples of South Indian masalas or spice blends used – and their usage varies and can be quite different than how garam masala […]
What is Masala? The word “masala” comes from Hindi, and it typically refers to a mix of spices that can include cumin, coriander, turmeric, cinnamon, cardamom, and other spices. Are there different styles of garam masala in Indian subcontinent? can you tell me about the general variations separated by the regions where it’s generally used? […]
What is Curry Powder? Curry powder is a blend of spices that is commonly used in Indian, South Asian, and Southeast Asian cuisines. It typically includes a mixture of spices such as turmeric, cumin, coriander, ginger, and chili peppers. The specific combination of spices can vary depending on the region and the brand. Is Curry […]
New words, new things to add to food. All will add more flavor to what we cook! Let’s check these out one by one. (Image source for top image – Photo by riki lifestyle on Unsplash Ghee What is ghee? Ghee is a type of clarified butter that is commonly used in Indian, Middle Eastern, […]