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Can British curry stand up to the ‘real thing’ in India? That’s what four UK master chefs from Indian and Bangladeshi restaurants in England are trying to find out. The 10-day Taste of Britain Curry Festival in Kolkata in India will put one of the UK’s most popular meals, the curry, to the test. Are our curries as good as we think they are? And what is the difference between curry in the UK and in India?

Everyone loves a curry

The curry, over the past 30 years, has become Britain’s unofficial national dish. Chicken tikka masala and the balti have become as popular in the UK as the traditional fish and chips. British curry is also big business, employing over 100,000 people and bringing in around £4.2 billion in revenue annually.

British curry vs. the ‘real thing’

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It’s actually not that easy to define what an ‘Indian curry’ is, because India has so many regions and cultures. Curry typically means ‘sauce’ – quite a broad category. One thing Indian curries have in common, though, is a tomato base that tends to be a little on the sour side, while the British curry tends to be sweeter and thicker. Nut paste is also used more in the UK than in India, as it’s quite expensive in India.

And the verdict?

The festival showcased a balti and a lamb dish, based on an old Parsee recipe, marinated in a combination of British herbs and Indian spices and an apricot curry sauce. And was British curry a hit in India? Supta Sen told BBC News that she enjoyed the balti dish, but was a little confused: ‘There is a contradiction here, as when we hear the word “curry” we expect it to be spicy, but then we hear the word “British” and we have no idea what to expect. But it’s nice – mild.’

Overall, British curry was a hit at the festival. If you’re eager to try out a recipe yourself, get out that frying pan and visit Curry Recipes Online.

Tags: Festival