Naan is a leavened flatbread, cooked in a tandoor clay oven, with a unique flavor and texture.  Lovers of Indian food know that naan is a staple in this popular cuisine, as well as in food across South Asia. This dish has a long history spanning from the Imperial Court of the 1500s to your dinner table today. The next time you visit your favorite Indian restaurant, think about the history behind what you’re eating.

The Story of Naan

Early Beginnings

Early flatbreads were unleavened, but the process changed due to the import of yeast from Egypt. The first mention of naan is found in the notes of Amir Khushrau, an Indo-Persian poet. As such, many think that the recipe may have originated with the Mughals and Persians. In fact, the word comes from the Persian one for bread. The bread was cooked in a tandoor oven at the Imperial Court in Delhi in the early 1500s. The royals often ate it for breakfast, paired with kebab or keema. Because it required rare yeast, this Indian food dish was reserved for nobles for the next 200 years.

20th Century

As the ingredients for naan became more readily available, common people started eating the dish too. In 1926, it found its way to a restaurant in London. It has since spread across the world as people bring Indian food to new places, and chefs are finding their own way to personalize the bread. It can be topped with melted cheese, flavored with garlic, eaten with curry, or even paired with chocolate as a dessert.

When you’re ready to join the long tradition of loving naan, head to India’s Best Restaurant and Bar in Littleton, CO. Diners come from across the Greater Denver area for their home-style Indian food. If you can’t make it out, they also deliver so you can enjoy an authentic meal at home. Take a look at their menu online and call (303) 484-9535 to place an order.