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Telugu cuisine is the traditional culinary style of theTelugu people, who are native to the Indian states ofAndhra Pradesh andTelangana. It is generally known for its tangy, hot, and spicy taste.[1]
The regions ofCoastal Andhra (includingUttarandhra and Dakshinandhra), andRayalaseema all produce distinctive variations of the Telugu cuisine.Rice is the staple in the irrigated regions of Andhra and Rayalaseema.Ragi (రాగి) is also popular in Rayalaseema and Palnadu. The curries, snacks, and sweets produced in these areas vary in both name and method of preparation from region to region.[2]
Andhra Pradesh is the leading producer ofred chili and rice in India. The concentration of red chili production in Andhra Pradesh has led to the liberal use of spices in Andhra cuisine. Vegetarian dishes, as well as meat, and seafood in coastal areas, feature prominently. Tomato pappu,gongura, andtamarind are widely used for cooking curries. Spicy and hot varieties ofpickles are also an important part of Andhra cuisine, includingavakaya (ఆవకాయ). "Deltaic" cuisine fromGuntur in Coastal Andhra is known as the spiciest variety of Andhra cuisine, primarily because of the use of red chilis traditionally grown in the region.
The eating habits of Hindu royals and Brahmins have historically had a heavy influence on Andhra cuisine. Andhra Pradesh's proximity to Western, Central, and Eastern India influenced the diversity of those border regions' cuisine as well, as theTelugu-speaking population spread into neighboring states. Different communities have developed their own variations, and rural areas still follow centuries-old cooking methods and recipes.
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Coastal Andhra is dominated by theKrishna andGodavari river delta regions and is adjacent to theBay of Bengal. This proximity to water has led to rice, lentils, and seafood becoming dietary staples in the region. Andhra cuisine has its own variations, but dishes are predominantly rice-based. TheNellore region in the south has its own unique recipes, markedly different from those inUttarandhra.Ulava charu (ఉలవచారు) is a soup made fromhorse gram,[3] andbommidala pulusu (బొమ్మిడాల పులుసు) is a seafood stew that is considered a specialty of Andhra Pradesh. Andhra cuisine is prevalent in restaurants all over Andhra Pradesh, as well as in cities likeBangalore,Chennai, andNew Delhi.
TheUttarandhra region is composed of the northeastern districts ofSrikakulam,Vizianagaram, andVisakhapatnam in Coastal Andhra. While Visakhapatnam district has a cuisine closer in character to the rest of Andhra's districts, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam cuisine shares less in common with other Andhra regional cuisines. The food of the Uttarandhra region is often sweeter than in other regions of Andhra Pradesh. Lentils are often cooked injaggery, a dish referred to asbellam pappu (బెల్లం పప్పు) and are usually served with butter and steamed rice.
Vegetables are often cooked in a gravy ofmenthi kura (మెంతి కూర) (fenugreek seed paste),avapettina kura (ఆవపెట్టిన కూర) (mustard seed paste), ornuvvugunda kura (నువ్వుగుండ కూర) (sesame paste).Ullikaram (ఉల్లికారం) is another popular dish in which vegetables or corn seeds are flavored withshallots oronion paste.
Poori (పూరి) andpatoli are popular breakfast or festival dishes.Patoli is composed of soaked split blackchickpeas (senagapappu (శనగపప్పు) orchana dal) ground to a coarse paste and seasoned withcoriander seeds, onions, and sometimescluster beans (goruchikkudukaya) (గోరుచిక్కుడుకాయ).Upma oruppindi (ఉప్పిండి) coarsely broken rice steamed with vegetables and seeds.[4] This dish is eaten on feast days, when people fast during the day and eat at night. Attu (అట్టు) also calleddosa (దోశ) is a standard breakfast in Andhra Pradesh, which may also include coconut or tomato chutneys.Idli (ఇడ్లీ), also known as iddena (ఇడ్డెన), is also very common.Karam podi (కారం పొడి) is a popular curry powder that is served with idli, dosa and upma.
Inguva charu (ఇంగువ చారు) is a sweet-and-sour stew made with tamarind andhing. It can be eaten with rice oruppupindi.Bellam pulusu (బెల్లం పులుసు) is another flavorful, thick, sweet stew made out of rice flour, jaggery, corn cobs, and whole shallots.
The pickles used in Uttarandhra differ from those of other regions of Andhra Pradesh. Avakaya (ఆవకాయ) is a mango pickle which is part of a standard Andhra meal. Pieces of mango are coated with mustard powder, red pepper powder, and salt, then sun-dried, and finally soaked in sesame oil to give the pickleextended shelf life. The result of this process is a darker hue and a sweeter taste than other pickles. This method helps preserve Uttarandhra pickles better amidst the high moisture from the Bay of Bengal coast.
Rayalaseema, in the south of Andhra Pradesh, is well-known for the spiciness of its cuisine due to the liberal use of chili powder in almost every dish.Naatu kodi pulusu (నాటు కోడి పులుసు), a spicy country chicken stew, is a classic and highly popular dish in this region.Seema karam (సీమ కారం) is a dish unique to this region. Some of the main courses include rice,jonna (జొన్న) (jowar),ragi roti (రాగి రోటి) withneyyi (నెయ్యి), andraagi sangati (రాగి సంగటి), usually served withspinach or pulusu. Uggani(ఉగ్గాని)is a dish unique to Rayalaseema,especiallyAnanthapur,Kurnool,andKadapadistricts, as well as inKarnataka,where it is called oggane(ಒಗ್ಗಣೆ).It is made with boiled paddycorn and is generally yellowish in color due to heavy use ofturmericpowder.It is usually served with mirapakaya bajji(మిరపకాయ బజ్జి)(chili "bajji"). Uggani bajji(ఉగ్గాని బజ్జి)served primarily as a breakfast dish, but can be eaten as a snack too. It is spicy and a signature dish ofRayalaseemaand EasternKarnataka.[5]
Sweeter dishes of Rayalaseema includeariselu (అరిసెలు) (rice-basedvada with jaggery),pakam undalu (పాకం ఉండలు) (a mixture of steamed rice flour, ground nuts, and jaggery),borugu undalu (బొరుగు ఉండలు) (a sweet made of jowar and jaggery), andrava laddoo (రవ్వ లడ్డూ).Masala borugulu (మసాలా బొరుగులు), andponganaalu (పొంగణాలు) (wet rice flour fried in oil, with carrot, onion, and chilis) are other savory specialties from the region.
A typical Andhra breakfast consists of a few of the items listed below. Usually it consists ofidli,garelu a.k.a.vada (deep-fried lentil dough),minapattu, also known asdosa, (a rice- and lentil-based pancake orcrepe).Tea,coffee withmilk, or simply milk often accompany these dishes. The most common dishes consumed for breakfast are:
Great effort is put into preparing lunch and dinner in many Telugu households. In most urban households, the food is served on stainless steel or porcelain plates, while in traditional and rural households, the food may be served on a banana leaf. The banana leaf is often used during festivals, special occasions, and for guests. Many middle-budget restaurants in smaller towns also use banana leaves for serving food. At times, avistaraaku (a larger plate made of several leaves sewn together) is used. Sun-dried banana leaves have also traditionally been used to package food for personal use on long journeys.
A complete vegetarian Andhra meal typically consists of rice served with ghee,pulihora, chapati orpuri,pappu (lentils),sambar,chaaru (rasam), fried and wet curries,appadam (papadum),odiyalu, chutney,pachadi,avakaya, yoghurt and a sweet for dessert. In general, food from theVijayawada-Guntur region contains morechili and spices than food from the rest of Andhra Pradesh. Rice is considered the main dish and everything else is considered a side dish.
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Koora (కూర)— a generic word for a curry. Koora dishes are named for the ingredients used and the method of preparation. There is also iguru(ఇగురు) which is a type of curry where most of the moisture evaporates, leaving mainly the cooking oil. Additional methods include:
Pappu (dal/lentils) dishes includetoor daal (kandi pappu) andmoong daal (pesara pappu), which are usually cooked with a vegetable or other green. No masala is added to the dal. In some areas, garlic and onion are included in the seasoning, while in othersasafetida (hing/inguva) is used.Kandi pappu is often cooked with leafy vegetables such aspalakura (spinach),gongura,malabar spinach, and other fruits and vegetables such as tomato,mango, orbottle gourd. Sometimes the cooked version of the dal is replaced with a roasted and ground version, likekandi pachadi (roastedtoor daal ground with red chilis), orpesara pachadi (soakedmoong daal ground with red or green chilis).
A very popular combination in Andhra ismudda pappu (ముద్ద పప్పు) (plaintoor dal cooked with salt) andavakaya.
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Pulusu (meaning sour) is a curry-like stew that is typically sour and cooked with tamarind paste. Other common bases include tomatoes or mangoes. The mixture can be flavored with mustard, chilis, curry leaves, jaggery, onions, or fenugreek. Fish, chicken, and eggs are typical meat additions.Pachi pulusu is an unheated version of pulusu, typically made of mangoes or tamarind, and eaten during the warmer months.
Pachadi andooragaya are two broad categories of pickle that are eaten with rice.Pachadi is the Telugu version of chutney, typically made of vegetables/greens/lentils and roasted green or red chilis, using tamarind and sometimes curds as a base. It is prepared fresh and must be consumed within two days due to having a short shelf life.Ooragaya is prepared in massive amounts each season. Preparation includes using large amounts of chili powder, as well asmenthi (fenugreek) powder, mustard powder, and groundnut (peanut) oil or sesame or mustard oil. It is either consumed on its own, mixed with rice, or as a side dish withpappu/koora.
While the aforementioned main course types are prevalent in home cooking,biryanis andpulaos are a common entrée at Telugu restaurants.
Common bases for vegetarian biryanis and pulaos include jackfruit (పనసపండు), mushroom (పుట్టగొడుగు),brinjals stuffed with spicy gravy (గుత్తి వంకాయ), red chili (పండుమిరపకాయ),mango pickle (ఆవకాయ),horsegram broth (ఉలవచారు), eggs (గుడ్లు) and more.
Common bases for nonveg biryanis and pulaos include chicken, quails, chevon, lamb/mutton, fish, prawns and crab.
Pappu (dal/lentils) and kooralu (curries) are placed to the right of the diner, while spiced pickles, pachadi (chutney/raita), a saucy condiment withdahi (yogurt), vegetables,pappulu podi (dal and dry red chili-based powdered condiment), andneyyi (ghee) are placed to the left. On some occasions, special items such aspulihora (tamarind or lemon rice) andgarelu (vada) are placed at the top right. A large scoop ofannam (plain white rice) is placed in the middle. Small amounts ofneyyi are added on the rice.Avakaya (mango pickle) and gongura (roselle leaf pickle) are often served with the meal.
Rice is the main dish, eaten by mixing with the side dishes using the right hand, and the primary source of carbohydrates. Spiced pickles,pachadi,podi, andpapadum (appadam) are typical side dishes.
A meal traditionally starts withmodhati muddha (first bite), an appetizer of spiced pickle followed by apappu (dal) dish, which can be made with vegetables added or eaten plain with a pickle. This constitutes the main source of protein for vegetarians. This is followed by a couple ofkoora varieties, which provide vitamins and minerals. Apappu orrasam (Telugu:charu), usuallykadi, is the third course. The fourth course of the meal is either aperugu (curd or yoghurt) ormajjiga (buttermilk) accompanied by a spicy pickle or other condiments.
After the meal,paan orsomph (areca nut/betel on pan leaf) is traditionally offered. On festival days or other auspicious occasions, a sweet, usuallyparavannam, is served with the meal, which is usually eaten first.
While there are a plethora of vegetarian dishes in the Telugu cuisine, a vast majority of Telugus(over 98 percent in both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana) also consume nonvegetarian food.[6]
The states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana produce abundant aquatic foods and have an established poultry industry.
Chicken is the most prevalent poultry in the Telugu cuisine and has two varieties:Broiler chicken and country chicken (నాటుకోడి). Unlike broiler chicken, country chicken is allowed to roam freely, drug free and lives on a minimally processed diet of grains, insects and vegetables. As a result of this lifestyle, the meat of country chicken is tougher and gamier than that of broiler chicken.[7] It’s said to be healthier and boost immunity making it considerably more expensive, sometimes even more costly per kilogram than mutton.[8]
In addition to chicken,Japanese quail (కౌజుపిట్ట) is quite popular in the Telugu states due to its nutritional benefits as well as the fact that it is relatively affordable to rear.[9][10] Duck is also reared in rural areas for its meat and eggs due its fast growth.[11]
Popular aquatic foods include fish, prawns and crab and some popular fish includestriped snakehead (కొర్రమీను),spotted snakehead (మట్టగిడస),catla (బొచ్చ చేప),barramundi (పండుగప్ప),spiny eel (బొమ్మిడాయి),spotted seer fish (వంజరం),Corica soborna (చీరమీను),beltfish (సావిడాయి),anchovies (నెత్తళ్లు),Indian mottled eel (మలుగుచేప),ilish (పులస చేప),Bombay duck (బొమ్మిడి చేప),elongated mudskippers (రాములు),rohu (రాగండి చేప) and more. While many dishes are cooked with fresh fish, some are also made with uppu chepalu (ఉప్పు చేపలు) (lit. “salt-fish”) which are drier and crispier. To make these, fish are cut in halves and gutted,placed in barrels of salt for several days and thensun-dried for several more days.[12]
Due to the abundance of small ruminants in the Telugu states,chevon,lamb and mutton are staples in many Telugus’ diets.[13][14] In contrast, the consumption of beef and pork is much rarer, likely due to religious and cultural taboos.[15][16] Besides muscle meat, special parts of goat and sheep such asoffals andtrotters are also consumed,[15] with popular examples includingliver fry (కార్జం వేపుడు),brain fry (మెదడు వేపుడు),spleen fry (నెరడు/తిల్లీ వేపుడు),tripe and intestines curry (బోటి/పేగుల కూర), trotter stew (కాళ్ల పులుసు),blood fry (నల్ల వేపుడు), andtesticles fry or curry (పిచ్చల/కప్పురాల వేపుడు/కూర).[17]
Instead of mutton and chevon, some communities, such as theMadigas, rely on beef or water buffalo meat for protein, with over 3.2 million in erstwhileUnited Andhra Pradesh consuming it.[18][19] Despite its illegality throughout India,donkey meat is considered a delicacy in some districts of Andhra Pradesh, owing to prevailing superstitions.[20]
Due to their high fecundity and feed efficiency, rabbits are being reared for meat in parts of Andhra Pradesh though they remain a niche food item.[21]
However, as a result of its leanness and protein density, rabbit meat is growing popular in restaurants as it is seen as a healthier and tastier alternative to chicken.[22]
Hyderabadi biryani andpalaav, or "Andhra biryani", are popular dishes within the region.Royyala palav, made with shrimp, is considered a delicacy in coastal Andhra Pradesh. Mutton biryani and mixed biryani (chicken, mutton, and shrimp) are other popular biryani dishes, generally available in restaurants. There are many local variations as well, such askaaja biryani,kunda biryani (pot biryani),avakaya biryani,ulavacharu biryani,[23] andpanasa biryani.
Kodi (chicken)koora and muttonkoora are two popular meat dishes, often made with a range of spices and condiments. The base usually consists of onions, tomato, coriander, tamarind, and coconut. These are mixed with steamed rice on the plate during the meal.Pepper is also used on fried meat dishes. Popular dishes commonly served in Andhra-style restaurants include the spicy Andhra chili chicken,[24] chicken roast, and mutton pepper fry. For seafood dishes, a tamarind base is generally used. Shrimp and prawns are widely available for use in cuisine, due to the state's extensive shrimp farming industry.
Other common meat dishes include:
These dishes are usually served with steamed rice,Thalimpu annam[33] (basmati rice cooked with aromatic seasoning),sajja roti (millet flatbread), orjonna roti (jowar flatbread).
Non-vegetarian snacks includekodi pakodi (chicken pakora),chicken 65,peetha pakodi (crab pakodi),chepa vepudu (fish fry),royyala vepudu (shrimp fry), andchicken lollipop.
Bhimavaram town inWest Godavari district is famous for its unique non-vegetarian pickles, such as chicken, shrimp, and fish pickles.
Some common Telugu snacks include:
Sweets and savories are typically made on festive and auspicious occasions, and are served to visiting relatives. Some of the savories below are also prepared as an evening snack.
In rural Andhra Pradesh, agriculture is the predominant occupation. Some centuries-old cooking practices can still be observed, particularly the use of mud pots, but this practice is being replaced by the use of steel utensils in recent decades. Traditional recipes have largely been influenced by what was grown and available locally earlier in history. In the drier districts,jowar (sorghum),bajra (millet) andragi are still in use, while eating rice is seen as a symbol of prosperity. In the Delta and coastal districts, rice plays a major role in the cuisine.
Tempered Rice can be called as 'Talimpu Annam' in Telugu
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