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A Way of Life About... Desi Words or Terms Indian culture Traditions

What are Yoga and Meditation?

What is Yoga? Yoga is an ancient spiritual practice that originated in India over 5,000 years ago. The word “yoga” comes from the Sanskrit word “yuj,” which means to yoke or unite, and it is often translated as “union” or “harmony.” The earliest mention of yoga can be found in the ancient Indian texts known […]

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About... Desi Food Indian culture Things Desis Do Traditions

Why are people eating with their hands?

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 […]

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About... Indian culture Traditions

The Indian cultural secret to Great Customer Service

Customer service is key to business success, involving assistance before, during, and after purchase. Indian culture teaches profound respect and hospitality, considering guests as divine. Translating this ethos into customer service suggests treating customers with the utmost respect, understanding, and anticipating their needs, which can lead to higher satisfaction and retention.

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About... Desi Words or Terms Indian culture Things Desis Do Traditions

What is Namaste?

Namaste, also known as namaskar, is a traditional Indian greeting that is used all over the world. It is a gesture of respect and reverence that is performed by pressing the palms together in front of the chest and bowing slightly.

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About... Cooking Desi Food Recipes Southern India Things Desis Do

Gunpowder!

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 […]

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About... Cooking Desi Food Southern India

Southern Spices

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 […]

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About... Cooking Desi Food

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? […]

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About... Cooking Desi Food

Curry Powder

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 […]

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About... Cooking Desi Food Not Just Veggies Recipes

What are dal, tadka, ghee and hing?

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, […]