The seasoning of the poor and the rich: 13 surprising facts about curry

Yellow, spicy, and highly aromatic, curry, with a history dating back at least 4000 years, has become one of the symbols of India, known and loved far beyond the country’s borders. Over the centuries, curry has undergone significant changes: today you won’t find some once-essential ingredients in curry, and it’s used much more widely than it used to be. “Subtleties has collected the most interesting facts about the famous Indian spice.

1. Some people think that curry is a “mono-spice” like allspice, only ground. In fact, curry is always a mixture of spices: it can contain from 2 to 40 ingredients.
2. The first curry recipes necessarily included turmeric and the leaves of the curry plant or Murraya king (which gave the spice its name). However, due to the rarity and high cost of turmeric, it is usually replaced by okra in curries. But turmeric is still a must – it gives the spice its characteristic color.

   
3. In India, people usually make the curry blend right before adding it to a meal. They add spices like coriander, fennel, ginger, cardamom, and cloves based on personal preferences. In the United States and Europe, curry is available in ready-to-use form. It’s a wise idea to check the product’s ingredients before purchasing from a specific seller.
4. Curry is the term used for both a mix of spices and a dish. These dishes can differ completely in various countries. In the US, chicken in sauce is served, while in Japan, a dish of rice with sauce, vegetables, and meat is popular. In India, vegetables and legumes are commonly used to prepare the dish, occasionally with the addition of meat.
5. In Ukrainian, the word “curry” can be masculine or feminine. It’s masculine when it refers to a sauce and feminine when it refers to a blend of spices. This can be confusing when reading texts.
6. Curry is over 4000 years old, pre-dating all three major world religions and ancient cities like Jaffa, Ankara, and Aleppo.
7. It’s the most popular spice blend globally, except for China, where it’s traditional spices that are used.
8. Curry was known as a seasoning that both rich and poor people could access in India. Even the poorest members of the population were able to enjoy it. During England’s colonization of India, curry was also served to monarchs such as Queen Victoria, who had a strong liking for it.

   

9. Curry goes by the name “longevity seasoning” due to claims that its spices can purify the skin, detoxify the body, boost the immune system, and slow down aging.
10. Additionally, curry is known as the “spice of the clear mind” because its turmeric contains curcumin, which could potentially prevent Alzheimer’s disease. The observations indicate that this disease affects fewer elderly individuals in India compared to the rest of the world.
11. Need an unconventional stress-relieving technique? Try making curry by hand. Grinding aromatic spices with a pestle and mortar is a form of meditation blended with aromatherapy.
12. Curry goes well not only with main courses but also with savory pastries, smoothies, and even lattes. It’s recommended to use almond milk for this specific drink.
13. Frying the curry spice blend in a dry pan for 20 seconds prior to use will enhance its flavor.