Demystifying The Complex World Of Curry – What It Means, Its History And Popular Variations.

“What is the first thought that comes to your mind when you hear the word – India?” If you ask this question to anyone outside the country, their answer would be ‘Curry!’ Surprised it is not Bollywood? India is also known as the land of curry. And although famous throughout across the world, this dish is not what most people think it is. To most people, curry is a dish that is made using the best spices in India to season the thick gravy that often complements chicken, meat, vegetables, and paneer, often accompanied with a type of bread (naan – most popular choice) or rice (basmati rice – most popular). Or to put simply, for the unhinged, it is the most common gravy dish originating from India. But the real meaning behind Indian curry, as most people know it, cannot be far from this popular belief. This article hopes to educate you about curry, by taking you along a mouth-watering journey about the origins and history of curry, and some of its most popular variations across the world. P.S. It is chicken curry.

What does Curry even mean?

Unlike the sought-after image of the thick gravy of the chicken masala you get in restaurants or dishes that include curry leaves, curry is actually something very distinct and unique. Originating from the word ‘Kari’, which refers to ‘a spiced dish with sauteed vegetables and meat’, the original curry is actually a preparation made by mixing together a synergistic blend of best spices in India. This mix is then added into the veggies or the meat as a powder or as a paste along with fresh herbs to create a rich stew, typically had with rice.

Why is it so popular?

In 17th century, Vasco Da Gama arrived in India and tried this local delicacy. Mesmerized by the range of flavours given off by the curry that utilizes the best spices in India, he recorded this dish as ‘caril’ or ‘caree’ in Portuguese, which later transformed into the modern-day word ‘curry’. Loved by the western world, the dish grew in influence and as it spread across the world, people started creating their own versions of it – depending on the spices available to them, their palette and their preference.

In today’s world, chefs are constantly trying to push the boundaries of taste by experimenting different ingredients, creating a variety of masalas such as chicken masala, paneer masala, pav bhaji masala, etc., to complement the food. These masalas or curry powders can be altered according to our tastes. Here are some of the most-loved variations of the curry we all love and enjoy, from over the world:

Chicken Tikka Masala

One such innovation occurred in a British chef’s kitchen, who after the colonization of India craved the flavours of an Indian chicken masala and gave rise to the country’s now unofficially accepted National dish - Chicken Tikka Masala.

Kare Raisu

Introduced to them by British Officers, curry quickly became a favourite in Japan. Translating to ‘Curry Rice’, this dish has been adapted to the Japanese palette and is had with meats and vegetables with the most popular dish being Chicken Curry Rice.

Thai Curry:

Introduced to the Indian herbs and spices by the Buddhist monks in the fourth century, the people of Thailand created a curry using their own spices and ingredients. This dish is similar to the traditional Indian curry and has different variations across the different regions in the country.

Curry Goat:

Famous across the Caribbean region, this dish has its roots in Jamaica. Similar to the Indian chicken curry, this dish became popular in Jamaica during the British colonial days due to its freshly collected, aromatic herbs and spices giving the curry its famous yellowish-orange colour.

Curry became a popular dish among British colonies as the soldiers came from different countries and were exposed to new cultures. Even during such harsh times, food brought people together, and continues to do so even now.