| Bread is integral to the dining culture of India. It is | | | | refer to the breads which are shallow fried in fat |
| generally referred to as roti in the local language. | | | | after being rolled out into a triangular or a square |
| The growth of a wide range of cereals and grains | | | | shaped size. At times there are seasonal |
| in the country has led to the preparation of | | | | vegetables, potatoes or fenugreek seeds that are |
| different types of breads. Each differs from the | | | | added to the dough. These breads are generally |
| other in the ingredients used, in the shape, size, | | | | termed paranthas. Another type of fried bread is |
| and the taste. The cooking method too differs | | | | the puri. These are round, puffy and are deep |
| widely from one part of the country to another. | | | | fried in oil. At times poppy seeds or lentils are |
| The Indian bread is generally composed of flour | | | | added to the dough to bring a different flavor to |
| made of wheat, rice, corn or lentils. It is known | | | | the puris. These are generally served during |
| differently in the different parts of the country. It | | | | festive occasions. A hugely popular south Indian |
| is named variously as phulka, chapati, paranthas, | | | | specialty is the dosa that is made by spreading a |
| rumali, naan, puri , phefras, do-patris and bhatia. | | | | batter of rice and urad bean on an oiled pan. |
| A majority of the Indian bread is made of wheat | | | | Some types of Indian bread are baked in modern |
| and can be broadly divided into three kinds: bread | | | | electric ovens or the Indian styled ovens called |
| that is roasted on a griddle, bread that is fried and | | | | tandoor. One of the very popular types of baked |
| bread that is baked. | | | | bread is the naan. The dough for the naan is |
| The most popular form of the Indian bread is the | | | | leavened before being baked in the tandoor. |
| roasted form, known as chapati. This kind of | | | | Sometimes nigella seeds or saffron water is |
| bread is unleavened and is made of only flour and | | | | added to give it a distinct flavor. At times garlic |
| water. The Dough is prepared and the bread is | | | | paste, dates, cottage cheese (paneer) or almonds |
| rolled out of it. At times the bread is puffed out | | | | are also added to the dough to give it a different |
| by dropping the bread on hot coals for a few | | | | taste. |
| minutes. This type of bread is called phulka. At | | | | Indian breads are always served to the |
| times the bread is kneaded with milk and water | | | | accompaniment of vegetables, sweet dishes and |
| and is very thin. In western India these are | | | | curries. Bread is a staple food of a majority of |
| known as khakras. Another variant of the roasted | | | | the Indians. Most of the Indian households |
| bread is the rumali which is made by stretching | | | | consume bread for all the three meals of the day. |
| the dough with hand and tossing it several times | | | | Indian breads comprise complex carbohydrates as |
| in the air before roasting it. | | | | well as a good amount of dietary fiber and make |
| Fried breads are also widely popular in India. These | | | | for a nutritious and wholesome meal. |