Spicing Up Conversations
If you’ve ever grown up around people from India, you’ll often hear the invitation, “Come inside, let’s have some chai.” This phrase is more than just a call for tea; it’s an invitation for hours of conversation, sometimes leaving the invitation of chai long forgotten. Chai, originating in India, is a tea made with spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger, blended with milk and sweetened with sugar. It embodies comfort and warmth, like being handed a bottled hug on a winter’s morning. To most, chai is simply a delicious drink, but to me, it’s a symbol of togetherness. That’s the power of food.
My mom’s family hails from a small village in India, known for its unique recipes. One recipe is a spicy chutney made from ground onions, chili powder, and salt. This chutney is spread inside dosa, a thick savory crepe, then folded in half and served. Additional sauces or powders can be added to adjust the spiciness. This particular onion chutney recipe is so unique that I haven’t found it anywhere online, making it even more special to me. It’s been a favorite since childhood, and I decided to share it with a friend who loves Indian food. Her stepmom is Indian, so she’s quite familiar with the cuisine. I invited her over and asked my mom to prepare dosas for us. While her parents struggled with the spice levels, my friend enthusiastically ate three dosas before admitting she was full. Her appreciation for its unique flavors and warmth was evident as she asked to be invited again. She described the dosa as, “Crispy, hot but gooey and soft inside, with a delicious onion filling that didn’t overpower the other ingredients, maintaining an entertaining bite for the taste buds.” It was a great experience for me as well, seeing a person who isn’t Indian appreciating my favorite foods.
Exploring different cuisines allows us to learn about cultures, stepping outside the bubble of our daily lives to see the world from new perspectives. This summer, if you can't travel, try a new food. That piece of advice, given to me by one of my favorite teachers, resonated with me, as I've always enjoyed traveling and learning about the diverse people who inhabit our world. Whether dining out or cooking at home, find a dish from a cuisine you haven't experienced before. As you explore new cuisines, remember that some, like Indian cuisine, offer countless dishes, many of which you may not have tried or even heard of. If a particular curry doesn’t suit your taste, there are many other options to explore. This variety holds true for other cuisines as well. I’ve loved trying new dishes from Mediterranean, Thai, and Korean cuisines at my friends' houses and local restaurants. My parents and I often notice similarities between Indian cuisine and others, such as Mexican and Thai.
Mexican food incorporates lots of tamarind and spices, and tortillas, which are very similar to Indian flatbreads like roti or chapati. Mexico’s similar climate and tastes make it a great destination for my parents, offering a taste of home without the need to fly to India. In Thai food, we notice many of the same spices and flavors, such as cumin, coriander, jaggery, and coconut milk.
The parallels between food around the world can teach you invaluable lessons of how we’re all connected. Cuisine is deeply tied to our culture and identity, and trying traditional foods can enrich our understanding and appreciation of different nationalities.