Food From The Four Corners Of India

Indians take their food very seriously. And once you've tasted it you can see why. Cooking is not just seen as yet another household chore, it is considered an art form. The preparation of food is seen as something that should be performed with love and respect. It is at a fairly young age that mothers will start teaching their daughters the family food secrets. They will pass down recipes that have been passed down by their parents and their parents over many generations.

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And it is this reverence towards all things culinary that means food is nearly always made from scratch using fresh, seasonal ingredients in India. As a result, the final meals eaten here are as healthy as they are delicious.

But India is not a country that is standing still as the rest of the world charges along into the modern age. In bigger cities things are changing as people's lives become increasingly hectic. This has led to an increase in the number of ready-to-eat and pre-made food being bought. However, this does not alter the fact that the country's cuisine is wonderfully diverse. Here are four delectable cuisines that illustrate why India is such a foodies' paradise.

Biryani - Hyderabad
If you want the very best biryani, you should head to its birthplace - Hyderabad. Influenced over many years by the Mughals, Arabs and Persians, the Hyderabadi biryani is thereal deal. This is a truly regal dish that was created in the royal courts and needs patience to make it just right.

Chaat - Delhi and Mumbai

If you like your food on the go, then India's two largest cities are for you; the chaat wallahs will take you straight to seventh heaven. The food is cooked especially for you and eaten straight from the pan, pot or griddle. If you like a savoury snack then pani puri, chana batura and dahi papdi are just three of your options on the streets of Old Delhi. Head to Mumbai and you can take your pick from the city's vada pav, bhel puri (not unlike Bombay mix) and many, many more.

Food for the soul - Kerala

The food of Kerala is unquestionably healthy. Served on a banana leaf, even its presentation screams of being good for you. Coconut in all its forms is a popular ingredient in these parts, giving the cuisine its beautifully delicate flavour. Keralan food is also based on ancient Ayurvedic principles meaning the food we eat should be particular to each of us as individuals.

Spiced magic - Bengal

In Bengal the spice blend known as panch phoren is a staple ingredient. Using the seeds of cumin, fenugreek, nigella, mustard and fennel, this particular blend of spices keeps the seeds whole. The seeds are generally cooked in hot oil in a technique known as tempering.

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If you would like your own culinary journey of India then a trip to one of London's best fine dining Indian restaurants will take you on a delicious adventure of your very own