New Delhi: Since our childhood, we got a special love for Jalebi, Gulab Jamuns, Rajmas, and various Indian cuisines. We feel samosas without potato stuffing is something we can’t imagine. Similarly, Rajma without rice is considered to be something alien to us. But do you know these edibles are not ‘desi’ at all?
Let’s just break your bubble! A Twitter thread, posted by @FirdausLaibah, got me surprised. From Gulab Jamun to Rajma here are some food items that we thought to be originated in India, but are foreign actually.
Jalebi
Gulab Jamun is originated in Persia The actual Persian dish was known as ‘luqmat al qadi’ which was prepared by soaking the khoya balls in honey syrup and then having them drizzled with sugar.
Image Credits: Twitter
Samosa
Samosa was brought to India by an Iran scholar from Middle East and was known as Sambosa. originally the stuffing was meat.
Rajma
The favourite of all North Indians, especially Punjabis is definitely Rajma. But unfortunately, desi Rajma isn’t desi at all. Rajma was introduced to India from Portugal and then the Mexicans introduced the concept of soaking and boiling it.
Gulab Jamun
Gulab Jamun is originated in Persia. The actual Persian dish was known as ‘luqmat al qadi’. It was made by soaking the khoya balls in honey syrup and then having them drizzled with sugar.
Masala Tea
Well, for chai lovers the day is incomplete without 3-4 cups of masala tea. And if you think its ‘made in India’ you are absolutely wrong my friend! Spiced tea is actually from Northern China.
Idlis
Yes, it came as a shocker for me as well. Looks like our whole life was a lie. Idli is not a pure South Indian cuisine. Food historian K.T. Achaya reckons that the idli could have come to India around 800-1200 CE from present day Indonesia, a part of which was then ruled by Hindu kings belonging to the Shailendra, Isyana and Sañjaya dynasties.
Got some knowledge for the day? You can thank me later!
