India's cuisine is as regional and diverse as the � land and its people. �

RICE : �

India’s staple crop and diet�

Indian Basmati rice �is enjoyed all over the world.�

WHEAT: The basic food in north India�

TEA: India is the largest producer and exporter of �tea in the world. “Chai” is the Indian word for tea.�

Indians drink a lot� of tea!

SUGAR CANE: Is an important crop in North India

MANGO: The National Fruit of India

Fresh mangos are eaten both raw and ripe. They are also used in cooking. pickles, relishes and desserts. ��

Traditional Indian food is eaten with your hands. �It is served on…�

Banana leaves

…a steel plate with bowls that hold a variety of food. �

Many courses�are eaten �together, to �mix flavors. �

Thali�and�katoris

What do most Indians eat everyday?�

RICE �

chaawal� pulao �

BREAD

roti � naan� paratha� poori�

LENTILS �

VEGETABLES�

daal�

subzi�

YOGURT �

dahi�

raita�

lassi�

MEAT / FISH / CHICKEN �

Tandoori�

Tandoor�-clay oven�fired with �wood or coal�

mithai�

Dessert�

kheer� kulfi �

North Indian Snacks�

South Indian Snacks �

samosa pakora� bhel poori �

dosa� idli�murku �

At a roadside market in India a typical merchant is selling fresh fruit, vegetables and grains from a simple cart. � �He stocks no preserved or packaged foods, but provides only fresh, wholesome fare which he gets that same day from farmers tending fields nearby. �

A Fresh Vegetable Bazaar�

Did You Know?�…Most Indians are �

vegetarian. �

What did Raja see on his way to school?

Do you remember why? Think of what Raja and Baviks’a families ate and why…

A Roadside café � Dhaaba �

A charpaai �serves as a bench�

Do you remember seeing a Charpaai in the village where Bavika lives? What did they say about the furniture in those Village homes?

Where might you stop for a snack when you travel? What might you eat? What do you think Indian travelers eat?

chai�

Common Indian words used in English�

curry�

chutney�

karhaai and karchhi�

tawaa�

angithi�

Spices have played an important �part in Indian cuisine for over�three thousand years and are�the reason why Indian food�

is enjoyed throughout �the world.�