The Kerala Food Story | Rich and Diverse Culinary Culture

Kerala food is one of rich history and cultural diversity. Located in the southern part of India, Kerala has been a hub for spice trade for centuries, attracting merchants from all over the world. This led to the development of a unique cuisine that blended Indian, Arab, and European flavors.

The geography of Kerala also played a significant role in shaping its cuisine. With its long coastline and abundant water resources, seafood has always been a staple of Kerala cuisine. Coconut, which is widely grown in the state, is another essential ingredient that is used in many dishes.

The people of Kerala have a strong tradition of vegetarianism, and many of the state's most famous dishes are vegetarian. However, meat and fish dishes are also popular, especially in the northern part of the state.

Kerala's cuisine is characterized by its bold use of spices, which are used to flavor dishes and give them a distinct aroma and taste. Some of the most common spices used in Kerala cuisine include black pepper, cinnamon, cardamom, cumin, and turmeric.

The state's most famous dish is probably the appam, which is a type of pancake made from fermented rice flour and coconut milk. Appam is typically served with a vegetable or meat stew and is a staple breakfast dish in Kerala.

Check the top 10 popular dishes of kerala

1. Appam with stew

Appam is a type of pancake made from fermented rice flour and coconut milk. It is usually served with a vegetable or meat stew.

2. Puttu and Kadala curry

Puttu is a steamed rice cake that is usually served with kadala curry, a dish made from black chickpeas and coconut milk.

3. Malabar Parotta with Chicken Curry

Malabar Parotta is a layered flatbread made from flour, oil, and water. It is usually served with spicy chicken curry.

4. Kerala Fish Curry

Kerala fish curry is a spicy and tangy curry made with fish, coconut milk, and a blend of spices.

5. Idiyappam and Egg Curry

Idiyappam is a steamed rice noodle that is usually served with egg curry, a dish made from boiled eggs, onion, tomato, and coconut milk.

6. Thalassery Biryani

Thalassery biryani is a popular biryani dish from the Malabar region of Kerala. It is made with fragrant rice, spices, and meat, usually chicken or mutton.

7. Avial

Avial is a vegetable dish made with a mix of vegetables like yam, raw banana, carrots, and beans cooked with coconut paste and yogurt.

8. Payasam

Payasam is a sweet dish made from milk, rice, and sugar, and flavored with cardamom, saffron, and nuts.

9. Banana Chips

Banana chips are a popular snack in Kerala, made from thinly sliced raw bananas that are deep-fried and seasoned with spices.

10. Unniyappam

Unniyappam is a sweet snack made from rice flour, jaggery, banana, and coconut. It is usually fried in a special pan to give it a unique shape.