Assam Cuisine

Cuisine in Assam has been famous since time immemorial, The food here is unlike any other state in India, offering a confluence of multiple items, such as rice, meat, fish and other raw vegetables, adding on to the years of influence, imparted by them elders of Assam.

Here is a step of easy to follow instructions, where you can make these authentic dishes in your very own houses, experimenting with your own flavors.

1. Duck Meat Curry

Assamese make the best duck curry and they taste delicious with spices. The best season is between April and October, while the ducks eat leftover grain, after the harvest they become fat and meaty. The people decide which duck to catch for dinner depending on the way it runs. Ash gourd or white gourd is best used while cooking the dish, for it needs to be delicately sliced.

Whole spices and black pepper tend to be the main ingredient in cooking the duck meat. The duck needs to be cut with the thin layer of skin, because it makes the meat very delicious when it is cooked absorbing fats. A tender white gourd when added makes the curry taste really good. A spiced up duck is waiting to be tried, hurry up and put on your cooking approns.

2. Khar

Fermenting food and drying it for preserving those food products has been a traditional style of Assamese cooking. Filtering water prepares khar through ashes of particular banana skins. Cooking the traditional khar with raw papaya, mustard seeds and ingredients such as fish. This is a very spicy dish. The liquid state of khar can be consumed with rice. A drop of mustard oil is added for taste. Assamese people eat a lot of bitter dishes, which according to them are considered delicacies. Never forget to try this dish once you visit the state of Assam.

3. Pitha

Pithas are primarily made of rice flour, a lot of varieties are even made of wheat flour. The very less common types are made of palm. Made from rice or wheat flour, they are filled with fillings of your choice, be it sweet or spicy, the fillers are traditionally called Pur. Depending on the type of Pitha served, it can be fried, steamed or baked. Eaten usually during breakfast or as a snack with tea. There are Pitas which are served as desserts too. It is good to eat pithas with the fillings for it is a healthy option and fillers are easy to prepare. The fillings used are cauliflower, potato, or radish, for savory fillings and sweet corn containing jaggery, date juice, cashews, coconut or sweetened fruits. The pithas pouch is called khol, literally translated to a container.

Prepare any one of these dishes in your house today, and send us a picture of your most favourite preparation, for you might stand a chance to win yourself an all Expense paid lunch buffet, to spend some time alone with your loved one.

Assam Handicraft

North East India is famous for its scenic beauty, but did you know Assam is also famous for its authentic handicraft items, giving out an ethnic vibe. Widely recognized for its authentic cuisine, and its exquisite quality of silk, cane and bamboo handicrafts. 

Come visit baazkart today to explore from a wide range of authentically handcrafted products. You will be mind blown once you get to see the kind of collections baazkart has to offer, ranging from silk items to handcrafted masks.

1. Silk

1.1. Muga Silk

Muga is golden yellow in appearance, extracted from the semi- domesticated silkworm: Antheraea assama, indigenous to this region. Traditional attires like mekhala-chaddars and saris, are manufactured from the famous Muga silk. The women of Assam weave fairy tales on their handlooms.

Derived from a rich golden color, muga is the finest of India’s silk products. Muga silk is produced only in Assam. The largest Muga silk-producing center in Assam is Sualkuchi. Silk garments manufactured in this area are internationally acclaimed for their beauty and ingenuity; therefore form a major export item for Assam.

1.2.Paat Silk

Paat silk is a variation of the Muga silk, which is extracted from silkworms, raised on them leaves of Mulberry plants. It is usually white or off-white in color, where its cloth can even dry in a shadow. Pat Silk is very durable, although from the outside it might seem very delicate and lightweight. Garments made out of Pat Silk should be dry cleaned and checked regularly for damages.

The texture of this silk is highly refined and in great demand amongst international consumers. The bright silver color of paat silk fabric redefines the meaning of Assam’s traditional attire.

1.3.Eri Silk

The warm Eri silk is created by the silkworm Philosamia ricini, which feeds on the castor oil plant. Famously known as the Endi silk or the non-violent silk, because manufacturing of Eri allows the pupae to develop into adults, using only the open-ended cocoons for turning them into silk. It is primarily used to make shawls and quilts. A unique feature of them products made from Eri silk is that they are initially a little granular, but with the passage of time the fabric becomes soft and smooth. Eri silk comes in a variety of colors, like cream, gold, brown and beige. Its acceptable quality and thermal nature make it ideal for use in both summers and winters.

2. Assamese Masks

Assamese Masks, also known as mukhas, formulate the very foundation of Assamese cultural tradition. They are worn mostly during theaters, which are centered around them Assamese tribal folklores. Since ages, these masks have been the center of all cultural events in the state.

Traditional Assamese masks are manufactured from a plethora of elements, ranging from terracotta and wood to pith, bamboo, and metals. These Masks usually represent the local gods and goddesses, characters of ancient epics or even historical figures.

Depending on the size, these mukhas are segregated into three types – Cho mask, Lotokoi mask Mukh mask. The mask-making industry is a principal means of livelihood for the indigenous population of Assam. These craftsmen do not belong to any specific sex, caste or creed, rather these artisans remain distributed throughout Assam. The skill of making these masks is passed down from one generation to the next.

Buy these authentic handicrafts from the state of Assam, and step up your accessory game this 2017. Along with some authentically handcrafted silk items. This is your golden opportunity to avail from a range of amazing discount vouchers, while you can win yourself an mind blowing cash back offers.