Depending on where you live in the world, the term “curry” can have different meanings. While various versions of this food are beloved throughout the world, different cultures disagree on the proper ingredients, taste, and even form; in Thailand, curry is more liquid and almost soup-like, while in Japan, it generally includes fish and vegetables in a sauce that’s served on rice. Much of this variance comes from the days of imperial expansion, when colonizers used the word as a cover-all term to label local cuisines they didn’t fully understand. These days, curry often refers to one of the three options below. 

What Forms Does Curry Come in? 

Paste

As a paste, this dish has three main forms: red, green, and yellow. All three include a mixture of many spices and ingredients according to the whims of the chef. However, they often include lemongrass, garlic, different types of chilies, salt, pepper, and a type of meat. The different ingredients used determine the color and thus, the name.

Spice

As mentioned above, the overuse of this term originates from colonial expansion. That same generalization is what led to the creation of a spice by the same name; many British colonists enjoyed the flavors of the food they found in India. They adopted them to their own diets back home by creating a powder that imitated those tastes. The ingredients in this powder vary almost as widely as “curry” itself, but might include cumin, coriander, black pepper, ginger, and turmeric.

Leaves

Curry leaves, not to be confused with the powder or spice, come from a tree in southern India, where they’re used in many local dishes. They have a citrus-like flavor with bitter and sweet tones and are often used in a similar way to bay leaves, adding general flavor to an entire dish. These leaves are used less often in other parts of the world and may not appear at all in the curry dishes of many countries.

Regardless of what curry means to you, if you’re hungering for a delicious dish that captures the flavors of India, stop by India’s Best Restaurant & Bar in Littleton, CO. With a broad menu and options for dine-in, carryout, lunch buffets, and dinner specials, they have something to satisfy every craving, from vegan food to bar and grill fare. Order today online or by calling (303) 484-9535.