Naan - About Us | Get to Know our Indian Roots (2024)

FAQs

Why is naan important to Indian culture? ›

Originally, naan was developed after the arrival of yeast in India from Egypt. During India's Mughal era in the 1520s, Naan was a delicacy that only nobles and royal families enjoyed because the art of making Naan was a revered skill, known by few.

The term "naan" comes from Persian nân (Persian: نان), a generic word for any kind of bread. This word was borrowed into a range of languages in the Indian subcontinent and Central Asia, where it came to refer to a specific type of bread. The term then spread around the globe along with the style of bread itself.

originating from over 2,500 years ago, naan, today identified as a leavened indian flatbread, traces its history back to old iran or persia, where the word “naan” referred to bread baked on hot pebbles.

Pakistani cuisine is known for its richness and flavour. Within Pakistan, cuisine varies greatly from region to region, reflecting the country's ethnic and cultural diversity. Pakistani breads of Central Asian origin, such as Naan and tandoori roti, are baked in a tandoor. Naan is usually leavened with yeast.

Unlike these more everyday staples, naan are leavened, traditionally with wild yeast. Naan are also cooked in a tandoor, a large clay oven layered with glowing charcoal that reaches extremely high temperatures.

Ancient Beginnings:

The word “nan” comes from the Persian language and means bread. Over time, naan became popular in many cultures, including India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. It was traditionally cooked in a tandoor oven, which gave it its signature fluffy texture and slightly charred flavour.

While it may contain more carbs and sugars, it earns its reputation as a healthy alternative with its relatively generous amounts of protein and fiber. Despite its high carb content, naan can be considered a more nutrient-dense alternative to white bread and pita.

The name comes from the Persian word, non, for bread. Unlike pita, naan has yogurt, milk, and sometimes eggs or butter in it, resulting in a softer texture. When the dough is made, bakers shape it into a ball and slap it on the interior walls of a tandoor, a clay oven. The bread puffs up and bubbles as it cooks.

Flour, yeast, milk, and butter make a tender dough that's simply seasoned with garlic and salt, but there is a wide array of naan bread flavors. You'll find everything from coconut and raisin-stuffed bread to saucy lamb-topped naan in restaurants and home kitchens around the world.

Butter Garlic Naan or Butter Naan are the most famous naan bread variety.

Which is the healthiest Indian bread? ›

From health perspective, flat breads made of whole wheat flour (roti/paratha/chapati/phulka) are better than the ones made with all-purpose flour (naan & kulcha). If you're new to this kind of food, I insist you to try all varieties of Indian breads.

Naan is a leavened, oven-baked flatbread native to India. It resembles pita bread but unlike pita, it has yogurt, milk, sometimes eggs or butter which makes it softer than the pita bread. Our bakers shape it into a ball and slap it on the walls of our tandoor (clay oven).

Side Bread

Traditionally with Indian food, naan (or other various Indian breads) is served as an accompaniment to curry, chutney, saag paneers, etc. to scoop the contents of your meal up. In Italy, bread is served with your meal, and used to scoop the remaining pasta sauce from the bowl ('fare la scarpetta').

Naan is a cornerstone of Indian cuisine, integral to both daily meals and special occasions, offering a versatile complement to a variety of dishes.

History of bread

Chapathis and rotis date back to the Harappan civilisation in India. They even find mention in Tulsidas's Ram Charitamanas in the 16th century, where it is said to resemble the katori that it was served in and was known as 'Rotika'.