New Delhi: Americans love a loaded thanksgiving table, Chinese can’t do without chopsticks, Britons have formal dining traditions and the rest of the world has its own - different cultures, cuisines and customs. With a rich heritage, the history of Indian cuisine is as old as our civilization. The Indian dinning etiquette is built on traditions. And behind almost every tradition are centuries of invasions, conquests, religious beliefs, political changes and social customs.

More interesting is how traditions have come into shape, evolved and transformed over time. They primarily vary by region and religion. In a land of numerous rituals, the act of offering food to deities gave birth to many traditions. The prasadsam served at temples, the langar at Gurudwaras or the lavish Iftar meals are a reflection of our diverse ethnicity. These traditions made their way into our kitchens and influenced how we regard food – sacred and pure. For instance, in some cultures a prayer of thanks comes first and then you reach out for food with your hand.

Therefore, Eating is an elaborate ritual and certain traditions create our cultural identity. Here’s exploring some ancient food traditions that form the basis of our culinary reputation and have left a significant mark:

Why to Start with Spice & End with Sweet: 
 
Our ancestors have stressed on the fact that meals should be started off with something spicy and sweet dishes should be taken towards the end. The significance of this eating practice is that while spicy things activate the digestive juices and acids and ensure that the digestion process goes on smoothly and efficiently, sweets or carbohydrates pulls down the digestive process. Hence, sweets were always recommended to be taken as a last item.

Sitting on the Floor & Eating: 
 
This tradition is not just about sitting on floor and eating, it is regarding sitting in the “Sukhasan” position and then eating. Sukhasan is the position we normally use for Yoga asanas. Sitting in this position while eating helps in improving digestion so that the circulatory system can focus solely upon digestion and not on our legs dangling from a chair or supporting us while we are standing

Eating with Your Hands:
  
This tradition has its roots in Ayurveda. Eating is supposed to be a sensory experience and eating with your hands evokes emotion and passion. According to Vedic wisdom, the hands are the most precious organs of action. One of the Ayurvedic texts reveals that every finger is an extension of the five elements. Through the thumb comes space, with the forefinger comes air, the middle finger is fire, the ring finer is water and the little finger represents earth.

Eating with your fingers stimulates these five elements and helps in bringing forth digestive juices in the stomach. The nerve endings on your fingertips are known to stimulate digestion. Feeling your food becomes a way of signaling the stomach that you are about to eat. You become more conscious of the taste, textures and aromas. Besides India, it is also common in some parts of Africa and the Middle East.

Serving Food on Banana Leaves:
 
An authentic Southern meal is mostly served on a banana leaf, especially in Kerala. Eating food on a banana leaf is considered healthy. Placing hot food on these leaves emanates several nutrients that enrich your food. Banana leaves contain large amounts of polyphenols; a natural antioxidant found in many plant-based foods. It also adds to the aroma of food and enhances the taste. Traditionally, water is sprinkled on the banana leaves before use as an act of purification.

The use of banana leaves dates back to a time before metal became mainstay. People found it more hygienic to use fresh leaves that were disposable instead of wooden utensils. Several Hindu temples used lotus leaves to serve Prasad as the flower is considered scared and pure. 

Why copper vessels were used:
 
Since ancient times it is a tradition to cook food in copper vessels, because earlier copper was the only available metal and it was only later that its health benefits were found out. 

Copper can destroy undesirable virus and bacteria. According to scientists, copper vessels can be the answer to kill the ‘E-coli’ bacteria which causes food- poisoning.

Our body needs base metals like copper, Zinc, Tin etc for better health. In Ayurveda also it is prescribed that copper cure many diseases. Metals and minerals cannot be produced within the body. External intake of these metals in diet is one of the solutions. Therefore vessels and utensils made from these metals are the best source that our grandparents used for years.
 

Indian Thalis:
 
The thali is a wholesome meal which you would find in many regions like Rajasthan, Gujarat or down South, complete with light and lovely curries, local greens, dals, rice and Indian breads.
It defines the system of Indian meals prepared and eaten in most households across the country. The beauty of the thali is that while it’s a significant part of our culture, it offers a scientific approach to nutrition. If you look at any of them, they represent the food pyramid of today with carbohydrates from grains, fibre from fruits and vegetables and nutrients from dairy products like yoghurt. It’s a balanced diet where variety is at its best.

Why Do We Fast?
  
The underlying principle behind fasting is to be found in Ayurveda. This ancient Indian medical system sees the basic cause of many diseases as the accumulation of toxic materials in the digestive system. Regular cleansing of toxic materials keeps one healthy. By fasting, the digestive organs get rest and all body mechanisms are cleansed and corrected. 

A complete fast is good for heath, and the occasional intake of warm lemon juice during the period of fasting prevents the flatulence. Since the human body, as explained by Ayurveda, is composed of 80% liquid and 20% solid, like the earth, the gravitational force of the moon affects the fluid contents of the body. It causes emotional imbalances in the body, making some people tense, irritable and violent. Fasting acts as antidote, for it lowers the acid content in the body which helps people to retain their sanity. Research suggests there are major health benefits to caloric restriction like reduced risks of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, immune disorders etc.

References:
http://food.ndtv.com
https://www.linkedin.com
https://www.inmyplanet.com
http://www.indiastudychannel.com