Industrial eggs have watery whites, pale yolks and very little flavour. Free-range eggs cost more but they are well worth it.
Each time I say that eggs are the world's most versatile food, I am bombarded with questions. Here are some of the most frequently asked ones, and their answers.
Is the egg a part of the ancient Indian tradition?
Sadly, no. Even the eminent food historian KT Achaya, who usually managed to find a South Indian origin for everything, conceded that there are hardly any references to egg dishes in ancient Indian literature. But he concedes that the egg entered Indian cuisine only after Islamic influences began to show up in our food.
Isn't this odd?
Yes, it is especially strange because research suggests that the wild jungle fowl was domesticated in the Indus Valley and then sent out to the Middle East. So, chicken is a very Indian contribution to global gastronomy.
Two possibilities suggest themselves. It could be that the people of the Indus Valley domesticated the chicken for its flesh, not its eggs.
A second possibility is that the people of the Indus Valley did eat eggs. But that as their cities collapsed, the egg-eating tradition died with them. The difficulty with this view is that it assumes that the Indus Valley civilisation predated Hinduism. This is a politically unfashionable view at the moment.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Fit Check? Look Behind You
In gyms, someone is always filming. We are all in the frame without meaning to be. Is privacy at odds with fitness goals? Is consent even possible with all those mirrors?
Avantika Dassani
Actor, @AvantikaDassani
Keep your i on this BMW
The brand's beloved sedan has now gone electric. The i5 M60 has a sci-fi roar and razor-sharp graphics. It's worth the hype
Why adapt when you can evolve?
Sometimes, the movie or show does it better than the book it is based on. Here's when to stream not flip
Sharp edges, blunt words
British chef Heston Blumenthal has gone public about his struggle with ADHD and bipolar syndrome. He hopes it calms kitchens down. It's hot in there already
The suitable boy
He's played lovers, taxi drivers, street rats and rich brats. He's redefining what it means to be the token Brown boy on set. But would he be on a reality show? Ishaan Khatter tells us why he's a career chameleon and how he got here
Stay stylish in your cubicle
Everyone's back at the office. Covid flexibilities are long forgotten. But being comfortable is still key. So, what are we wearing to work?
Hey, I found you online
Baby pics, emo selfies, old tweets outing the ex. If it makes you cringe, it makes HR departments do too. Here's how to clean up your digital footprint
Is It Scrolling Or Screening?
Being on the phone while the TV plays is the new normal. Just don't do it when there's company. A case for what it means to be present
This week, we're...
Preferring the spinoff.