The cuisines of Uttarakhand is simple yet incredible. The primary food includes vegetables with wheat being a staple for the locals. The food made with lentils and cooked over slow fire has a balanced flavour.
Talking about the efforts put in by the Government, Satpal Maharaj, Tourism Minister of Uttarakhand, said “Uttarakhand has a repository of polyherbs, spices that are known for its therapeutic use and used by the Rishis and exponents of the Ayurveda for centuries. The treasure trove of immunity boosting delicacies of Uttarakhand can derive huge benefits from Healthy Cuisine tourism. Our Government is therefore considering bringing the culinary art at a front line of the state’s tourism sector.If the hidden treasure of cuisine tourism is explored and implemented efficiently and effectively then within a very short period, the state will place itself as the culinary hub in the global map.”
Dilip Jawalkar, Secretary Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board, said “The post-pandemic travel behavior analysis has brought Health & Wellness into the limelight and the state see a huge potential of immunity boosting cuisine tourism in our state. The Uttarakhand government too has taken cognizance of it and is working towards developing the state as the hub of ‘Himalayan Immunity Cuisine’ by combining the rich heritage of Kumaoni and Garhwali cuisines.
Some of the Garhwali and Kumaoni cuisines are: Kafuli, Pahaadi Masoor Ki Daal, Bhatt ke Dubke, Jhangore Ki kheer, Bhaang Ki Chutney and Kandaali KaSaag amongst others.
During the Covid era, the Home Stays in Uttarakhand are attracting lot of tourists by showcasing their inventory to serve the delicious immunity boosting home-cooked food and local cuisines prepared with the locally grown vegetables that is being served to the guests in a traditional style by the host family.
Anshul Bhatt the owner of Forest Eco Resort, Rudraprayag said, “Since the resumption of tourism in the state people have started to demand healthy food. We have included the healthy ‘Maddue Ki Roti’, ‘Gulthiya’, ‘Jhangore Ki Kheer’ in our menu and even serves local drinks prepared from traditional local herbs. We are using the local homemade ghee and pahadi salt ‘Noon’ to prepare our dishes. Tourists are more conscious about this now. “
