6 desi foods we love which are actually not Indian
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New Delhi- We Indians have a fetish for food. Lip smacking dishes set our bad moods right, mouth watering cuisine can bring a big smile on our faces and tell us that the world is a happy place. Starting from the valleys of Kashmir to the oceans of Tamil Nadu, from the rocky terrains of seven sisters to far west, India poses a plethora of cuisine which can bring peace to any anxious stomach. However, there are few food items, which though we have been devouring since our childhood, do not belong to the subcontinent. Here is a list of six such foods
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Samosa- The favourite tea time snack of India, is not Indian. Samosa, is originally a Middle East dish and derives its name from Persian word “sanbosag”. It was first made in the 10th century and the filling had meat, nuts and spices. Traders from Middle East who travelled to India, brought the dish with them. In fact, Poet saint Amir Khusro in his document which dates back to 1300 wrote that the samosa was loved by princes and royalty.
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Jalebi- The twisted and turned sweet dish, Jalebi originated in Middle East and was called Zabiya (Arabic) or the zalibiya (Persian). Countries Turkey and Greece have their own take on the jalebi and Muslim traders are to be credited for bringing this to India.
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Gulab Jamun- The very mention of Gulab Jamun is enough to send anyone to food heaven. Sadly, this item, which can be enjoyed both hot and cold, doesn’t belong to India either. It originated in the Mediterranean and Persia. The original form of the dessert is called luqmat al qadi and made of dough balls deep fried, soaked in honey syrup and sprinkled with sugar. But, once it reached India it was modified. It is said that Gulab Jamun was one of the favourites in the kitchen of Mughal ruler Shahjahan.
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Rajma- The extended member of any Punjabi family, Rajma, is actually not Indian and we are sure this fact will stay in your mind the next time you eat a plate of rajma chawal. Rajma has its origins in Central Mexico and Guatemala. The initial preparation or soaking and boiling the beans and adding a few spices are adapted from Mexican recipes.
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Chai (Tea)- The most favourite beverage of Indian households is originally from China. The way tea became popular in India has history behind it. As it happened, the Chinese used it as a medicinal drink, the Britains soon discovered it and loved its versatile nature. So, the Brit being the Brits, wanted to kill China’s monopoly in the market taught cultivation techniques to the tribals in North-East India.
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Idli- One of the famous South Indian staple, Idli doesn’t belong to India. Idli made its journey to India from Indonesia, which had a culinary tradition of fermented food. However, food historian Lizzie Collingham claims that Arab settlers brought Idli to India.