Food! Something everyone loves. There’s probably not a single person on this planet who despises food. Of course, there are categories of picky eaters, absolute food lovers and the balanced ones. But all said and done, food is an absolute mood changer and is way beyond a mere physiological need.
With the revolutionary advancement in technology, there has been a spurt in the amount of information exchange which has optimised the offerings and choices of the consumer enabling them to develop a taste for international cuisines as well.
It would be safe to say that Indian cuisine isn’t exhaustive given that India is a vastly diverse country with each place having its native cuisines and spices. It would take years for someone to have eaten each and every dish that is made in India.
For years breakfast for us has always meant parathas or idli and our main course was the likes of butter chicken, rajma-chawal etc. We have all spent our childhood eating kulfi from the kulfi vendor who used to come every evening in the scorching heat of summertime. Not to forget the vibrant colors and flavors of ice-gola that painted out tongues rainbow!
Probably globalization in the year 1991 is an extremely major contributor towards the broadening of the Indian foodie’s tastes. With the influx of international brands, a wide array of options opened up and the consumers explored an altogether different side of their taste palate.
In the beginning of their journey in India, Domino's and McDonald's were places we explored when we felt like indulging in a luxurious meal. And today we plan to eat them as an economical, common and beloved food option while also trying many more international foods from global brands.
Over the course of time, we have come to develop love for lip-smacking international food like our favorite comfort foods like pizza, pasta and burgers with a slightly advanced audience also indulging in delicacies like sushi, grilled vegetables and sizzlers.
A very distinctive feature of the Indian foodie is that despite developing an inclination towards international flavors, he/she has managed to retain their love for Indian food. Even today, you would see them choosing to have a plateful of puchka as a snack over nachos in most scenarios. This is probably one of the most important factors that makes India an attractive market for the Food and Beverage industry where both Indian and international food brands can thrive together in a balanced and booming ecosystem.
Internet and social media presence have made it even more easy for people to access recipes, knowledge and information about foods across the world. Being foodie has become a matter of pride and has opened up a legitimate dimension to begin a full-fledged career in.
In the coming days, with the rapidly advancing technology, who knows what direction the Indian taste palate might explore?
All we know is that we are headed on to a journey full of flavours and sumptuous treats!
