The Back-Story Of Curry

Spice Up Your Curry Knowledge Today

Spices have been revered around the world for hundreds of years. The deep aromatic properties of spices along with their many health benefits, have earned curry powder in particular a special place in modern cooking. Ubiquitous curry spices such as cardamom, cumin, coriander, ginger, and turmeric have elevated world foods, bringing colour, history, taste, and aroma into modern cuisine.

What Is Curry Powder?

Curry powder is a mix of various spices and was invented by the British to imitate the taste and aroma of the food of India. Curry recipes from all over the world use curry powder to add a little heat and vibrancy to any dish and to liven up the flavour of the other ingredients. But there is a lot more to learn about curry powder and we at Rajah have compiled three facts you might not have known.

Three Tidbits To Sharpen Up Your Curry Knowledge

So, what mysteries lie within this age-old blend? We uncovered three interesting tidbits about curry powder including:

1. Curry is enjoyed far and wide
2. Curry has a rich history
3. There are different variations of curry powder

1. Curry Is Enjoyed Far And Wide

While there is a huge market for whole spices worldwide, curry powder is a convenient, professionally chosen blend that is sold commercially on a global scale. This is because the use of curry powder takes a lot of the thinking out of the equation when you want to get the balance of flavours just right.

Try this Veggie Vindaloo that uses hot curry powder to infuse mouth-watering flavours into the ingredients.

Top Tip: If you’re cooking with additional spices, before incorporating your curry powder toast the spices lightly by frying gently in oil for a minute or two. This unlocks the deep flavours and aroma.

 

2.Curry Has A Rich History

The earliest known curries are believed to have been created in Mesopotamia in around 1700 BC. The word “curry” is said to derive from the Tamil word “kari” meaning sauce. Curry in one form or another travelled to Fiji, Japan and Singapore, and then to South Africa, Jamaica and Guyana in the early 1900s where it firmly cemented itself in most of the local cuisines.

Chilli powder, a popular spice in many cultures, is a common ingredient in curry powder. It is especially respected for its medicinal uses. Cayenne pepper for example is thought to have cardiovascular benefits and is associated with lowering blood pressure among other uses. If you enjoy hot food, you should read this article: Everything You Didn’t Know About Chillies to learn more about these incredible peppers that form the flavour base of so many curry recipes.

There Are Different Variations Of Curry Powder

Curry powder is a household staple and can be used in all sorts of dishes from breyani to meatballs to create a deeply aromatic taste. When you cook with curry powder, your dish can range from soothingly mild to bitingly hot and plenty in between. To suit all palates, Rajah curry powders can be bought in the following variants:

• Rajah Mild & Spicy Curry Powder
• Rajah Hot Curry Powder
• Rajah Medium Curry Powder
• Rajah Masala Curry Powder
• Rajah All-In-One Curry Powder
• Rajah Flavourful & Mild Curry Powder

Whether you’re making a Chakalaka recipe or curried mince and vegetables, curry powders add a delicious blend of spices and are the perfect base to just about any meal.

We hope that these three little known tidbits making up the backstory of your favourite spice mix have expanded your knowledge and made you excited to eat curry more often. Now, pick a curry recipe and surprise your dinner guests with this delicious, time-honouring dish.

Resources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curry​

https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Curry

https://www.britannica.com/topic/curry​

https://www.healthbenefitstimes.com/chili-powder/

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods/chili-peppers#downsides

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100803132734.htm

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/196754#1​