The Origin of Papad

Papad is a non-negotiable pre-appetizer in the majority of Indian households. It is a snack that has remained our dependable and calm companion during the peak hours of impatience caused by hunger. This light snack, whose origins can be traced to ancient India, is distinctive yet pervasive and has strong social and cultural ties.

Munch on the exquisite taste of Aaji’s papad Image source: Aazol

The Hindi idiom "Papad Belna," which means "doing tedious work and going through a lot of

efforts and hard work in order to achieve something," is one that is frequently heard. Although

the idiom's meaning is metaphorical, as with all idioms, it is based on the strenuous labour

required to make the Indian snack papad. An Indian invention, papad, has a round, disc-like

shape and remains as light as paper. Its ingredients are varied; for instance, some papads are

made with raw and sun-dried vegetables, while others are made with lentils like urad, masoor,

and chana and rice flour.

Papad is typically served as a pre-appetizer if it is tasted and consumed in a food-culture

environment. Rarely does one dine at an Indian restaurant for lunch or dinner without noticing

a stack of roasted papads with salads. On a good day, it is served with salads and chutney,

instantly lifting moods with its crunchy and spicy taste.

The history of papad's origins is quite intriguing, even in light of their current relevance. Stories

involving papads are mentioned in Buddhist and Jain canonical literature, claims food historian

KT Achaya. Furthermore, Shubra Chatterji, a passionate food researcher, supports the link

between papad and Jain literature by demonstrating how the traditional Marwari Jain trader

community in Rajasthan's Shekhawati region has a long-standing custom of sun-drying

vegetables that are later used to make papad.

The elegance and simplicity of the snack lie in the fact that it has been adopted with minor

variations in numerous subcontinental regions by various communities, each of which offers a

distinct yet delectable flavour. The crispy, simple-to-make munch, also known as appalam in

Tamil Nadu, pappadam in Kerala, papad in Amritsar and Gujarat, and appadam in Andhra

Pradesh and Telangana, has survived the long tradition of Indian cuisine.

Additionally, a Maharashtrian meal wouldn't be complete without papad. The homemade

papads made by the state's rural women with love and care are a specialty of the authentic food

brand Aazol. Aaji's Favorite Papad, which is made from the perfect combination of batata

(potato), nachni (finger millet), and poha (flattened rice), is one of the flavours they offer. The

list of delectable homemade snacks also includes Poha Mirgund ,A spiced papad made from

flattened rice dough, and Gahu Kurdai, made from fermented whole wheat.

When discussing endurance, it is prudent to point out that papad has acted as a potent social

glue, enabling community association, particularly for Indian women. In Indian households,

women have long gathered together to chat while making thin papads and harvesting them in

the summer's sweltering sun.

According to Saaz Aggarwal in her book "Sindh-Stories from a Vanished Homeland," the Sindhi

community, in addition to the Jain community, has continued to value papad's flavour. Along

with its storied past and local ties, the feather-like, light-weight papad has been quick to catch

up with its contemporary counterparts. In Rajasthan today, papad ki sabzi and papad ki churi are

well-known dishes. Chef Saransh Goila recently posted a video on Instagram of him twisting

papad with Italian garnish and flavour. He experimented with the versatility of this salty snack to

create a quick substitute for pasta.

This inventive salty snack has a devoted fan base among foodies not only in India but also

outside of its national borders, which may be a result of its accommodating and multifaceted

nature. The next time you enjoy a crunchy papad with a spicy flavour, remember the tangy

journey it has taken over the centuries

Aazol’s papad, made with love. Image Source: Aazol