Indian Cuisine - Crazyfood

Indian Food contains a huge variation of local and traditional cuisines inherent to India. Given the range of variety in soil type, climate, culture, ethnic group and occupations, these cuisines vary considerably from each other and use locally available spices, herbs, vegetables and fruits. Indian food is also deeply inclined by religious and cultural choices and traditions. There has also been Middle Eastern and Central Asian impact on North Indian cuisine from the years of Mughal rule. Indian cuisine has been and is still sprouting, as a result of the nation's social interactions with other cultures.

Historical incidents such as foreign conquests, trade relations and expansionism have played a role in introducing certain foods to the country. For instance, the potato, a staple of the diet in some regions of India, was brought to India by the Portuguese, who also familiarized chillies and breadfruit. Indian cuisine has shaped the history of international relations; the spice trade between India and Europe was the primary substance for Europe's Age of Discovery. Spices were bought from India and traded around Europe and Asia. Indian cuisine has influenced other cuisines across the world, especially those from Middle East, North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, the British Isles, Fiji, and the Caribbean.

The development of these cuisines has been shaped by Hindu and Jain beliefs, particularly in vegetarianism which is a common dietary trend in Indian society. There was also Islamic influence from the years of Mughal and Delhi Sultanate rule, and Persian interactions on North Indian and Deccan cuisine. Indian cuisine has been and is still evolving, as a result of the nation’s cultural interactions with other societies. Historical incidents such as foreign invasions, trade relations and colonialism have also played an important role in introducing certain food types and eating habits to the country. For instance, potato, a staple of North Indian diet was brought to India by the Portuguese. Indian cuisine has also shaped the history of international relations whit the spice trade between India and Europe is often cited by historians as the primary catalyst for Europe’s Age of Discovery. It has also influenced other cuisines across the world, especially those from South east Asia and the British Isles.