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India is best known for its diversity, be it in culture or food. Every region of the country shall offer you a different style of food. The cuisine varies from area to area and culture to culture. So is Indian snacks. The origin of Indian snacks is deep-rooted in the culture and tradition of the country.

 Snacking is an essential part of the Indian food regime. People of the country have their hands on numerous snacks, be it self-made or borrowed from a different culture. Earlier a major portion of Indian snacks included potatoes, gram flour, all-purpose flour, variants of spices, and a lot more. Aloo Tikki Chaat is amongst the oldest snacks in the history of India. Emanating from Uttar Pradesh, almost every Indian vouch upon this street food. Eventually, Samosa came into the forefront and beautifully mingled in the range of Indian snacks.

 During the festive season, Indian households are decked up with deep-fried snacks like Bhujia, Neemki, Chakli, Chivda, Nippattu, Thepla to name a few. However, with time, Indians have evolved their snacking habits. With the advent of Keto and Vegan diet regimes, people are switching to healthier options. Today health enthusiasts prefer snacking options like Oatmeal, Trail mix, Cornflakes, Celery, and many more.

Although the country’s cuisine is a fusion of diverse cultures and traditions, one thing that connects everyone is the affinity for snacking. Today, the modern lifestyle has also embraced munching habits that cater to outstanding versions of Indian snacks. Whether for office meetings or a close-knitted get-together at home, Indian snacks find their way to everyone’s heart. We have heard your woes for some finger-licking snacks. Check out our range of savoury and sweet snacks, which are sure to tug your heartstrings.

The Tokyo Olympics witnessed a phenomenal performance by Indian players. Among all the record-breaking accomplishments, the game of the Indian Hockey Team was undoubtedly remarkable. After 41 years, the Indian hockey team staged up to the semi-finals. Although the women team nailed the scoreboard in the 4th position, Men’s Hockey clinched the Bronze, thus stuffing every Indian heart with pride. 

In 2018, when Sahara backed out from sponsoring Indian Hockey, Odisha Government emerged as a supporting source of men’s and women’s Indian Hockey teams. Naveen Pattnaik, the Chief Minister of Odisha, while signing the deal, expressed that, Hockey is a way of life in his state. The CM conveyed that in Odisha, children learn to walk using a hockey stick. 

Though Odisha is not counted amongst the affluent of states, it never steps back in preserving the things of paramount importance. Odia cuisine sets the perfect example that despite all the evolution in food culture, ultimate satisfaction lies in Pakhala or Rice Water. Pakhala also broke the limelight in 2021, when Kishwar Chowdhury garnered the dish in MasterChef Australia- Season 13. 

Pakhala constitutes of cooked rice, soaked or slightly fermented in water. The transparent liquid portion is better known as Torani. The exotic dish is served with mashed potatoes, papad, a sundry of bhajas, including local fish fries and saga bhaja. Throughout the state, the version of Pakhala keeps on changing, however, the feeling is mutual.

Odisha, as a state has developed a lot, but the way it safeguards the simple essence of life makes it exceptional. Today Indian Hockey has unfastened a plethora of opportunities for the future of the country, and Odisha vows to be its ultimate pillar of support.

Over centuries Indian food has evolved into one of the most delicious cuisines across the world. Astonishingly, some of the most prominent foods we devour in India have originated in foreign lands. Surprisingly, Indian food has a great influence from Mughal, Persian, Mediterranean, and Iranian styles. Without further ado, let’s dive right in to know the Indian foods having foreign origin. 

• Samosa: A lip-smacking evening snack that almost every India vouch for Samosa has emanated from the Middle East. Originally known as Sambosa, this yummy snack was introduced in India between the 13th and 14th centuries. 
• Jalebi: Now who does not love this spiral die-heart dessert! Although renowned in almost every city in India, Jalebi owns Persian origin. Over the country, Zalibiya or Jalebi has varying styles. 
• Shukto: Bengali food has its charm, and Shukto will leave you spellbound! However, this Bengali delicacy has haled from the Portuguese Cuisine. Over time, Shukto traveled from Goa to Bangladesh and finally niched a permanent room in India.
• Tea: Indians are known for their infidel love affair with Chai or tea. This comfort/energy drink of almost every India was born in China. When Britishers reigned India, they brought this humble tea to India. Although Britishers left, Chai stayed back with us.
• Gulab Jamun: Confectionary dainties that are sure to fill your heart with happiness, the classic Gulab Jamun is honestly a Mediterranean dessert. It is amazing how our Diwali celebration can go without boxes of Gulab Jamuns, and we never realized it is not Desi.

We are sure that this article has left you by surprise, like who thought that our everyday food is not truly India. Let us know what are your views on it!

Besides having breath-taking scenic beauty, Kashmir treasures one of the most beautiful beverages- Pink Tea. Also known as Kashmiri tea, this classic beverage has a creamy texture and a wonderful aroma. The tea stands up to its name and hones a subtle pink color. However, the best part is, Kashmiri tea gets its color from the amalgamation of chlorophyll in the tea leaves and the edible soda. With an authentic Kashmiri flavor, the traditional pink color makes the tea way more pleasing. 

The quintessential Pink Tea uses green tea, instead of black or other roasted teas. The tea is also exclusive because of the addition of salt to its chemistry. That is why some people call it Noon or Salt Tea. 

Here is how to make Kashmiri Tea at home

Ingredients needed

• 4 cups of ice-cold water
• 1 tablespoon of Kashmiri tea leaves
• A pinch of salt and baking soda
• Spices (Star Anise + Cardamom+ Cinnamon)
• Required Sugar
• 1 cup of Milk
• Nuts for garnish (Almonds + Pistachios) 

Brewing process

• Pour 2 cups of cold water into a saucepan
• Add Kashmiri tea leaves, spices, soda, and salt to it
• Let it boil in medium heat for around 30 minutes until the water has reduced to half
• Add another cup of cold water and let it boil for more than 30 minutes
• When the pink concoction is ready, strain and keep it for use. 
• Take another saucepan with a cup of milk
• Add sugar and some of the above concoction
• Simmer for few minutes 
• Serve with chopped nuts on the top

Try out this exceptional Kashmir beauty and share your experience with us.

Post-covid, your body is drained of all energy and nutrition. To accelerate the recovery process after covid, you need to have more vitamins, proteins, and minerals. Here is what food to eat post-covid recovery.

• Calories: Calories augment your energy level post-Covid. Include calorie-rich food to boost up your energy level. Consume whole-grain cereals like wheat, oatmeal, brown rice, millets, and starch-filled sweet potato, tapioca, and yam. 
• Proteins: Proteins are essential for your body post-covid. If you are a vegan, include plant-based protein in your diets such as lentils, legumes, beans, nuts, and seeds. Diary products and non-veg food can also complement the protein in your diet. 
• Drinks: Staying hydrated all the time is essential post-covid recovery. Infections are likely to dehydrate your body. Keep the fluid intake high with lots of water, soups, herbal concoction, etc. 
• Veggies and Fruits: Natural fruits and veggies are the best nutrition punch to your diet chart post covid recovery. Consume fruits like kiwis, oranges, papaya, guava, and other fruits loaded with Vitamin C to accelerate the recovery process. Green veggies, gourds are sure to trigger your immunity. 
• Immunity boosters: Your diet chart after covid recovery should have immunity boosters such as Kashaya, turmeric milk, ginger tea, and other herbal drinks to amplify your immunity. 
• What to avoid: Post Covid complication is more likely to affect diabetic patients. As per experts, the amount of sugar and salt should be dormant in your diet. Avoid trans fats and processed food for better recovery. 

Lately, the aftermath of Covid recovery is aggravating a lot of complications. It is essential to follow a nutrition-based after-covid diet to keep any complications at bay.

Ever since the pandemic has encapsulated the entire world in its pang, numerous heroes have come to the forefront to extend help. Here we talk about those unsung heroes who continued to deliver joy right at the doorstep even when the virus was out there, spreading its claw. Due to lockdown and the rapid spread of the Coronavirus, people cannot go outdoors to have food. Also, some of them lack the basics of cooking. To such people, online food delivery is the only option. When restaurants and Dhabas ramped up to begin delivery of food, it was like hope amidst all the darkness.
To this, Food Delivery Boys came up to ensure people get their food delivered to the doorstep. Some of them even work till late midnights to deliver food right at doorsteps. There were instances where food delivery boys got bashed with abusive and rude behavior. However, they continue their service. Abiding by the ‘new normal’, food delivery boys need to take all the necessary precautions like temperature measurement, wearing masks, sanitizing bikes, contact-less delivery. Even they have fear creeping right in their heart, but for some, their entire family depends on them.
And these delivery boys continue the service to hold up their families. Although the number of orders has decreased due to the palpable anxiety of customers, food delivery boys run all across the city to deliver orders right on time.
For all their incessant service, we can at least be kind to them, and if possible, pool in some extra bucks as a tip. That will make a huge difference in their lives.

Call it Kashaya or Kadha, this magical water concoction brewed with the goodness of multiple herbs is a traditional homemade remedy. Works excellently for all your cough, indigestion, common cold, etc., Kashaya is amongst the highly beneficial immunity-boosting ayurvedic drink.

You can easily make Kashaya powder at home and store it in an airtight container for instant use when needed. The Kashaya Pudi is an exceptional mixture of slow-roasted spices and herbs, each ingredient adding its own health benefit to your drink. 

Ingredients needed

• Coriander seeds
• Cumin seeds
• Black pepper
• Fennel seeds
• Fenugreek 
• Cloves
• Cardamom
• Turmeric Powder
• Ginger Powder

Prepare the powder

• Dry roast the seeds and spices until they become crisp and aromatic
• Transfer them to a dry plate
• Add in required turmeric and dry ginger powder to the essential
• Let them cool down to room temperature
• Transfer to a blending jar and blend until it turns out to be a finer powder. 
• Store the powder in an airtight container and you are assorted for months.

Kashaya: The drink

• Take 2 cup water in a saucepan
• Mix 3 tablespoon of the Kashaya powder
• Add required jaggery to it
• Give it a quick boil 
• Turn off the flame and mix some milk
• Kashaya is ready to be savored

Today Kashaya is a go-to alternative for beverages like tea and coffee, owing to the outbreak of the Corona Virus. It has proven to be an outstanding immunity-boosting drink honing to its ayurvedic properties. Regular dosages of Kashaya are sure to keep the cold and cough at bay.

Less celebrated Indian Desserts

Confection plays an integral role in Indian cuisine. Hardly there is any meal that concludes without desserts on the table. India being a land of festivals owns a myriad range of desserts in its cookbook. Here we bring in some of the less celebrated Indian Desserts;

• Kulkuls: A quintessential Goan confectionary that adorns the households with its aroma during Christmas. These flaky and crispy curls are utterly mouth-watering with their beautiful texture and flavors.
• Kakara Pitha: Holding up the intricacy of the Indian Cuisine, Kakara Pitha marks the essence of every Odia festival. Crispy on the exterior and gooey interior, Kakara Pitha is the perfect complement for your sweet tooth.
• Phuklein: Phuklein is a true treat from the sub-burbs of Meghalaya. This delightful patty beholds the sweetness of Jaggery thus making a great pair with a cup of tea.
• Kharwas: Kharwas is a mouth-watering Maharashtrians milk pudding that is a boon for all the confectionery buffs. Made from colostrum milk, this dessert vouches for a flavorsome affair!
• Holige: A festive special, Hoilge has emerged from the beauty of Karnataka. Stuffed with the goodness of dry fruits, Holige is a classic Indian dessert.
• Shufta: Besides the scenic beauty, Kashmir also beholds the luscious Shufta. An amalgamation of virtuous dry fruits, spices, and sugar syrup makes this dessert a heavenly experience!

Indian cuisine beholds a mélange of confectioneries however, the traditional desserts are still preserved in the local regions. These lesser-known Indian desserts are the true heritage of our cuisine, aren’t they?

Renowned as Bhut Jolokia amongst the natives, the excruciatingly hot version of chili is better known as Raja Mirchi or King Chilli. Grown in the northeastern states like Assam, and Nagaland, etc. Bhut Jolokia bagged the Guinness Book of World Record in 2007 for being the hottest chili in the world.  Its Pickle is a famous byproduct in northeast India. One can easily use it as a hot spicy dip or implement the concoction in any curry to boost extra hotness. The pickle is stuffed with mustard hereby, adding to the pungent flavor. This lip-smackingly spicy pickle will blow your mind with the strong savored delicacy. 
Being the hottest chili in the world, the price of Bhut Jolokia is beyond par. However, in the harvest season, one can easily avail it in the local northeast markets. The northeast people purchase it in the harvest season and store it for the year. Ghost Chilli Pickle plays an essential role in north-eastern cuisine. You can effortlessly make Bhut Jolokia pickle right at your home with the basic ingredients of- 

• Ghost Chilli
• Mustard Oil
• White Mustard seeds 
• Turmeric Powder 
• Lemon Juice
• Salt

The paste/sauce compliments any food starting from a pizza to a simple chapati. Besides being super-hot, the pickle is extremely addictive and appetizing. We dare you to savor your taste buds with this pungent yet peppery pickle of Bhut Jolokia.