Category Food

A Cup Across Continents: The Story of Irani Chai

Walk through any lane of Hyderabad or Secunderabad, and you will find the ubiquitous Irani café serving Irani chai. This popular beverage is a cultural bridge between Persia and India, preserved in a porcelain cup. The Journey from Persia to…

How a Maratha Prince Gave Sambar its Name!

Few South Indian dishes are as beloved as sambar. This tangy stew of lentils and vegetables, the familiar partner to idli, dosa, and rice, is so deeply woven into everyday meals that it seems ancient. Yet its story may lead…

Hyderabad’s Stone-Grilled Classic: Pathar-ka-Gosht

Hailing from the regal kitchens of Hyderabad, Pathar-ka-Gosht is a masterclass in culinary improvisation. Literally meaning “meat on stone” when translated from Urdu, this iconic dish features succulent lamb or mutton, cut into thin strips and marinated in a rich…

Why “Happy Hour” started at Sea, not in a Bar

Did you know the term “happy hour” as used today for late-afternoon or early-evening discounted drinks and snacks in bars and restaurants traces its roots back to an unexpected source: the U.S. Navy? Around 1913–1914, the U.S. Navy began hosting…

When Draupadi invented the first Pani Puri!

Pani puri, known as gol gappe in North India, phuchka in Bengal, gupchup in Odisha and Chhattisgarh, is one of the most savored street foods in the Indian subcontinent. These small, crisp puris are filled with spicy water, tamarind chutney,…

The curious case of the Bombay Duck

Bombay duck is not a duck but a lizardfish (Harpadon nehereus) found in the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal, notably off Mumbai’s coast. Lizardfish are slender, soft-bodied predators with heads that resemble lizards and mouths lined with sharp teeth.…

Jigarthanda – Madurai’s iconic “cool heart” drink

Jigarthanda is a chilled milk‑based beverage that originated in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. The name comes from the Urdu/Persian word “jigar,” which literally means “liver” but is poetically and popularly used to mean “heart,” and “thanda” meaning cold, together suggesting “cool heart.”…