It saddened me to read about the global uproar about the contamination of spices by some of our most popular brands. What was sadder still that the contamination was not caught by our own authorities, who should have been protecting Indian consumers, but by foreign governments.
Not everyone loves packaged spice blends, but the one thing we were all agreed on, until the latest scandal, was that if you bought your spices from a well-known brand, you had some guarantee of quality, authenticity and safety. Now, even that seems doubtful.
The commercial spice blend is a 20th-century phenomenon. Our grandparents would blend their spices at home or, at least, would go to a local masalawala they knew to blend masalas for them.
As the packaged spice blends have caught on, they have influenced the nature of our cuisine. Chefs, caterers and home-cooks will tell you that the most popular pre-packaged masala blends do not conform to the original taste of the masalas. And many foodies bemoan the day when things like prepackaged chaat masala became available. (Its popularity dates only to the 1970s/1980s.) Many restaurant chefs will use chaat masala in a variety of dishes to which it is clearly unsuited.
Bu hikaye Brunch dergisinin May 18, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Brunch dergisinin May 18, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
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.
The newest tricks in the book
Time is money. Here are the best hacks for saving precious seconds and taking even your everyday feed to the next level
Snuffing out the flames
Has online dating peaked? People are ditching the apps, going old-school, and aiming for IRL connections. Here's how the swipe failed a whole generation
Off the eaten path
In hotels, cafes and home kitchens cooks are getting creative with food waste. Tomato skins show up in a cake, fat flavours broths, peels have fresh appeal. Of course, we're cheering this change
Glamming up your getaway
Every island in the Maldives is stunning. So how do resorts offer a luxury upgrade? At Cheval Blanc it's by elevating every experience-food, service, spa and beyond
Benefits with friends
Of course it's harder to make friends as we grow older. Responsibilities, increase, time is short. Luckily, we have our tribes
A portrait to reflect upon
Playing with lighting and layering, a young Amrita Sher-Gil depicted herself as bold, mischievous, and enigmatic - all at once
Keep your trope shut
A divided world, a post-apocalyptic wasteland, a prophecy, a burden too heavy for a young adult. 10 YA dystopian cliches to vanquish in battle.
Sanjeeda Shaikh
Actor, @IAmSanjeeda
