Indian food is often regarded as pure foodie bliss. It is rich in flavors and diverse in nature. If you are a fan of Indian vegetarian cuisine or want to try it, this article is for you. You will learn about the history of Indian veg food and the place where you can find the best Indian food in Berlin.

One of the most significant facts about Indian food is that each food item has a great cultural and traditional influence. In addition to that, different climates, religions, and soil types play a major role here. The history of Indian cuisine dates back to the prehistoric period and it also has a prominent mention in the global history.

The roots of vegetarianism in India

Vegetarianism was brought in India mainly by Buddhists and Jains. They strongly believe and follow the path of Ahimsa (non-violence) for all living things on earth including animals, birds, insects, and humans.
Some Indians also keep themselves away from all types of flesh, dairy, and eggs. Surprisingly the number of such people is increasing in the world to stop violence against animals.
The concept of vegetarianism started to become popular in India during the medieval era due to the strong impact of caste systems in society.

The History of Indian Vegetarian Cuisine

Vegetarianism in India has a direct connection with Hinduism. It was first found in India in 2300 B.C. with the advent of Hinduism. Since then, Indian vegetarian cuisine has become very popular throughout the world.

Vegetarian eating in Hinduism was influenced by three ideas: Ahimsa, Dharma and Karma. The term Ahimsa signifies non-violence, whereas Dharma means your duty and Karma shows your work.

The followers of Hinduism believe that every living being has a soul and they are equally valuable. That is why it encouraged people to stop cruelty against animals and embrace vegetarian eating.

Though dairy products are popularly consumed by Indians, most vegetarians in India do not consume fish, meat or eggs. That is why the most popular dishes in India are veg-based. However, with the growing popularity of veganism all over the world, the food industry started looking for new alternatives to milk and milk-based food items. For example, cow milk is being replaced by coconut milk in various popular Indian vegan dishes.

Some of the popular Indian fruits and vegetables that have been dominating Indian veg cuisine since the historical period are different types of gourds, eggplant, jackfruit, Indian gooseberry, and mango. Besides this, okra, banana and coconut are also used in various popular Indian veg food preparations.

You might be surprised to know that onions did not have a mention in the early Indian texts. Most orthodox Hindus and Jains strictly avoided onions and garlic in their diet. Sugar was one of the key elements of Indian vegetarian dishes at that time.

Fruits and veggies like potatoes, papayas, tomatoes, cashews, chilies, guavas etc were introduced in India and Indian cuisine by Portuguese traders in the 16th century which became very popular.

When it comes to Indian spices, Garammasala is certainly the king. It is made of various other spices including cloves, cardamom, nutmeg and more. Indian food is known for its amazing spices. Some of the most commonly used spices are black pepper, cardamom, sesame, etc. Coriander, fenugreek, saffron, cumin etc are widely consumed by Hindus and Jains as an alternative to garlic.

When it comes to vegetarian food, people across the world prefer Indian cuisine due to its rich flavors, variety, and health benefits. If you want to know more about Indian cuisine and its health benefits, read our previous blog “Why you should try Indian vegan food in Berlin?”

Where to find the best Indian vegetarian food in Berlin?

If you are in Berlin and want to try authentic Indian vegan food here, visit Hari Moksh once or order online. We have a variety of Indian dishes which are exclusively prepared by our chefs with fresh ingredients and lots of love. Starting mouth-watering Indian snacks like samosa etc, to flavourful okra and vindi masala you will get everything under the same roof.

Check out our menu now!

For regular updates of Hari Moksh follow us on Instagram.