Chai Latte's Ancestor
The ubiquitous 'chai latte' found in cafes worldwide owes its existence to the traditional Indian masala chai. This spiced tea, brewed with a harmonious
blend of ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, and milk, has been a staple in Indian households for generations. The very word 'chai' itself is simply the Hindi term for tea. What's often presented as a novel creation in Western coffee shops is, in essence, a sweeter and milkier iteration of a time-honored Indian beverage, rich with aromatic spices and comforting warmth, demonstrating a direct lineage from the subcontinent's beverage culture to contemporary global tastes.
Pickling: A Timeless Art
The current global fascination with pickling everything from vegetables and lemons to chillies mirrors India's centuries-old 'achar' tradition. These aren't your quick-brined modern pickles; Indian achar are oil-based, sun-cured preserves seasoned with a complex mix of spices and salt, designed for long-term preservation long before refrigeration was a concept. This enduring practice highlights India's sophisticated understanding of food preservation and flavour development, a technique now being rediscovered and popularized in different forms across the globe as a way to add zest and longevity to food.
Snack Mix Origins
The concept of 'trail mix' or 'snack mix,' often lauded for its convenience and energy-boosting properties, has a well-established predecessor in India's diverse namkeen and chivda preparations. These mixtures typically combine a variety of roasted nuts, dried fruits, aromatic spices, and crunchy elements like puffed grains or fried noodles. They have long been a popular, portable source of sustenance and flavour, showcasing Indian culinary ingenuity in creating satisfying and nutrient-dense snacks that are now finding global resonance in various forms.
Golden Milk's Roots
The wellness trend of the 'golden milk latte,' celebrated for its purported health benefits, is directly inspired by the Indian staple 'haldi doodh.' This comforting beverage consists of warm milk infused with turmeric, often enhanced with a pinch of black pepper to aid absorption, and sometimes other warming spices. Traditionally consumed in India for its anti-inflammatory and immunity-boosting properties, 'haldi doodh' represents a natural, ancient remedy that has been embraced globally by health-conscious consumers seeking holistic wellness solutions.
Whipped Coffee's Heritage
When 'whipped coffee' exploded onto the global scene, often attributed to Korean dalgona coffee, it overlooked a long-standing Indian practice: 'phenti hui coffee.' This literally translates to 'hand-whipped coffee' and involves vigorously beating instant coffee with sugar using a spoon until it becomes light and frothy. This airy mixture is then poured over milk. Decades before its viral resurgence, Indian households were mastering this technique, creating a uniquely textured and flavourful coffee experience that is now being rediscovered.
Bowl Meals and Thali
The contemporary popularity of 'bowl meals' and 'Buddha bowls,' which present a balanced assortment of grains, proteins, and vegetables, finds its echo in India's traditional 'thali' system. A thali is a comprehensive platter featuring a curated selection of dishes, typically including grains, lentils, various vegetable preparations, yogurt, and condiments, all served together. This arrangement is designed to provide a nutritionally complete and harmonious meal within a single presentation, a concept that modern bowl meals have effectively adopted and adapted.
