Origin of Dum Biryani: from Persia to Your Plate

 

best Indian cuisine in Newmarket


Biryani – the word is enough to make anybody's mouth salivate. Biryani is more than just a popular food; it has become a part of our deep core, which we crave to taste frequently to enjoy. We make several excuses to eat biryani. For example, if we are sad due to the breakup or some other reason, we want to eat biryani. If we don't like to eat homemade food some day in Newmarket, want to eat biryani. Or this is the long-waiting weekend, and we want to enjoy binge-watching our favourite show on TV – biryani is the lifesaver. Nothing can be your best buddy other than biryani! 

 

Just uncovering the biryani pot and getting the unique smile of fried rice and succulent meat makes you feel on top of the world! But have you ever wondered how this amazing and mind-blowing food was invented back then? Let's time travel and dive back into the historical moment when this 'Prince of Persia' was invented and try to peel the onion to understand its origin and how the best Indian cuisine in Newmarket has become a cultural dish in South Asia. 

The Origin of Dum Biryani

There are many stories about the origin of dum Biryani, but the most popular one is linked to Nawab Asaf-ud-Daulah, the ruler of Oudh during the late 1700s. Basically, he wanted to construct the Bara Imambara in the city, so many people volunteered at that time. 

 

So that's why he started a charitable initiative, which is a food-for-work programme for his people. The king hired specialized chefs to cook vegetables, meat, rice, and spices in large vessels or handis in a special method for hours, which is known as dum pukht. 

 

Upon encountering a captivating aroma from a slow-cooked pot one fine morning, the Nawab ordered his royal chefs to recreate the dish using dum pukht. This technique gained popularity, spreading to royal kitchens in Hyderabad, Kashmir, Bhopal, and beyond. If you want to try the  best Indian cuisine in Newmarket, visit a restaurant in Newmarket

What Does Dum Biryani Mean?

Biryani was originally invented in Persia, which is currently Iran. The name Biryani traces back to Persian; Biriyan means fried rice. With more than 15 types of Biryani, dum Biryani is one of the most popular dishes so far. The word 'Dum' is derived from "Dumpukht," which means air cooked. This type of Biryani is traditionally cooked over a charcoal fire or wood. 

Types of Biryani

Though Dum Biryani is one of the most popular ones, there are many popular types nationwide. The following are, 

 

  • Lucknowi or Awadhi Biryani
  • Hyderabadi Biryani
  • Kashmiri Biryani

How is Dum Biryani Made?

You need precise ingredients and a practiced technique to make the perfect Biryani. Traditionally, the dum pukht method, meaning slow breathing oven in Persian, is used. It involves slow-cooking ingredients in a sealed pot over charcoal, allowing steam to tenderize the meat and flavour the rice. Spices are also important in this case. Meat or chicken is the main ingredient, and adding rose water, sweet edible ittar, and kewra water is common, dating back to medieval times.

Keep Calm and Add Dum to Your Biryani!

We understand that it's impossible to follow the right diet and eat Biryani simultaneously. But staying on a diet does not mean you cannot go for a cheat day once in a while. So, if you are a biryani lover and want to taste the amazing dum Biryani at a fair price, visit our place at My Roti Place in Newmarket for the  best Indian cuisine in Newmarket

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