Biryani is often considered one of the best complete meals in India. It is way more than just a rice dish; it represents the cultural heritage of many states and places in India. Biryani’s Many speculations and different opinions surround its origin, but it still has a history of over 500 years.
Many believe that the Mughals introduced it to us, but some experts doubt it. However, we will focus on the present and give glimpses of how biryani is served in different parts of India. How are they different from each other?
Hyderabadi Biryani, Hyderabad:
Presenting to you the most popular biryani of them all, you can understand its fame. If somebody reads or hears Hyderabad, the first thing that comes to mind is Hyderabadi biryani. This is the favorite biryani among most food lovers in India and worldwide.
If we try to understand the origin of this delicious dish again, there is a lot of uncertainty, despite legends attributing it to the Nizam’s chef. Hyderabadi biryani, also known as Hyderabadi dum biryani, is made with basmati rice, meat (chicken or lamb), and a blend of spices.
Hyderabadi biryani is one of the most consumed biryani in India and is also available in different parts of the country because of its never-ending demand. Hyderabadi biryani is generally found in two categories: Pakka and Kaccha. The pakka involves cooking the rice and meat separately, while the kaccha is cooked on a low flame.
Kolkata Style Biryani, Kolkata:
Kolkata is famous for its Kolkata-style biryani, which is a mix of Awadhi and Bengali cooking styles. There has been a never-ending debate between Hyderabad and Kolkata biryani lovers about which is better. Still, Kolkata biryani has its specialty and is consumed as a complete meal.
Kolkata-style biryani, too, has many debates and stories about its creation. One of the most popular ones says the nawab Wajid Ali in Calcutta could not cherish his love for food. Also, they were facing financial difficulties, and that’s how potatoes were introduced to the biryani. Since then, Kolkata-style biryani has been at the top of the list.
This biryani is cooked with rice and yogurt-based marinated meat. It also contains potatoes, boiled eggs, and light spices. Presenting a perfect balance between spices and aroma with a mouth-watering flavor, Kolkata-style biryani has a separate fan base nationwide.
Lucknowi Biryani / Awadhi Biryani, Lucknow:
This royal biryani comes from Nawabs Lucknow, known for its Awadhi-style biryani. It is a rich, aromatic, soft biryani made with long-grain rice, meat, and various spices. The Lucknowi biryani is much smoother than any other biryani due to the mild use of spices, which makes it a light meal.
Many experts and different stories also consider this one of the first biryanis founded in India. Many believe it was also the first biryani introduced by the Mughals. Biryani is slow-cooked with a low flame, helping the meat become tender and the rice absorb the flavors of the spices. It has a large following, especially in the northern part of the country. The unique taste and long-lasting history make it even more notable among food enthusiasts.
Malabar Biryani, Thalassery Biryani, Kerala:
The sweet and savory biryani comes from the coastal part of India. Malabar is a region in Kerala that is famous for its biryani; this Malabari biryani brings a unique and different flavor to the biryani list. Malabar biryani is also renowned as an indigenous variant of biryani. The Mughals introduced biryani to us, but it stands out for its specialties.
It is made of soft chicken wings, Malabar spices, and Kaima rice. The rice is normally cooked separately and later mixed with the gravy. Then, the biryani is garnished with dry fruits like sauteed cashew nuts, sultana raisins, and fennel seeds. With a fantastic flavor, Thalassery biryani is one of its kind in the southern part of the country.
We tried to cover the most popular cities or states in India that are famous for their biryani dishes. Although many failed to make the list, such as Muradabadi biryani, Delhi biryani, Bombay biryani, Sindhi biryani, and so on, these are India’s most famous and most consumed biryani.
