How Food Culture of India is Affected
Culture is the identity of a country. Cultures vary from country to country. You cannot even see the same culture customs in the two states of the country. Cultures are diverse in nature. India is a vast country with a large geographical area. There are different religious communities, customs, festivals, etc in the country. The culture of India is different from the rest of the world in the sense it shows warmth, love and affection, oneness, high morality. It prevents one person to make him or herself away from moral degradation. Several festivals are adding more love to the people in India. Since India is a multicultural and multi-religious country the season of festivals did not throughout the year. Festivals add more love to the oneness among the countrymen.
The most important festivals which are celebrated in India from January to end of December are Lohri in January, Pongal, Bihu, Jaisalmer festival in February, Holi, Elephant festival, Marwar Festival in March, Baisakhi in March the famous festival in the Punjab region of the country, Eid–ul–Fitr, Diwali, Dusheera etc. These are important festivals of India.
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India cuisines add flavour to Indian culture. Some of the spices in India have a rich history and have been used from ancient times. Most of the spices have been used from the Vedic period. The foods are also unique in nature. Hyderabadi Biryani is the most famous food in the country. Though this food is made in several parts of the country, a person cannot feel the exact taste of biryani without going to Hyderabad. No matter the taste of Indian food is the same and no food can be its alternative. But the important thing in today’s world is that everything changes within no time. So same is the case with Indian foods. They cannot remain aloof from this impact.
A book ‘Manasollasa’ which was written in Sanskrit in 12 Century has made it clear that there is a need to change the cuisines and foods which are popular in the country to change. The author in the book advice that there should be new methods of cooking, a new method of mixing different flavours. The difference in taste gives birth to different varieties in the country. The Indian food is divided into five categories mainly these are northern, southern, western, eastern and north-eastern. The reason behind different cuisines in the country is due to the use of different kinds of spices and herbs which are grown in that area of the country. From Himalayan region to Aravallis hills of south different herbs are grown. Most of the spices in the country are grown in the Kerala state. Most people in India like vegetarian food because of this a significant portion of our food is vegetarian.
The different changes that take place in Indian cuisine were also influenced due to foreign colonists such as Mughals, Arabs, Europeans and Central Asians. Indian Cuisines not only popular in India but also in foreign countries such as in the United Kingdom a popular cuisine Panjabi Chicken Tikka Masala is served among other dishes. Another important dish which is most popular in south India is ‘curry’. Curry is a dish which is made from Turmeric Powder, Cumin, Coriander, ginger and fresh red chillies and with the spice of curry tree.
If we look at the history of India the Spice trade in India was popular among other trade materials. It is believed that that spice trade which was prevalent between the Indians and Arabs and other Europeans led to the discovery of India by Vasco-de-Gama.
There is also a major difference of foods in the country. Though at this point in time there is a wide difference in the food made and served by rural and urban India, with the passing of time, the method of cooking and taste has changed. Most of the urban population of India is now dependent on fast foods or readymade foods easily available in the market. There are many reasons for this the first one which is significant due to the fast life of urban cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore. Due to this
The health of the people living is decreased with time. One of the effects of fast food is the increasing rate of obesity, Stomach ulcer, etc. Though most of the population of India is Rural but bad effects of fast food on urban population cannot be ignored. The point of time is to use more and more fresh vegetables in order to decrease the effects of fast food particularly for urban people.
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, Under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of Government of India, looks about the Safety and standards across India. FSSAI is an Autonomous body Under this Ministry of Family and Health Welfare. This body, which is responsible for maintaining and promoting public health through the regulation and supervision of food security in whole India. All standards for all types of foods which are being served in the country has been framed by it and are being updated day to day with the latest development in the food science.
Though a significant work has been made by this body to maintain standards in India. But more is yet to come. Because new ways of adulteration have been invented in the market by traders to gain more and more profit. Adulteration is the main reason that most of the people living below the poverty line are suffering from different diseases. Various spices have been adulterated such as in the preparation of chilli powder bricks are used. The standard of foods should be maintained across India. So the fact is that as long as the food is safe people in the country are safe and healthy.