All About Dosa | History | Types | 5 Amazing Facts
Who wouldn’t be interested in a crispy delicious Indian-style crepe?
Dosa, Imagine a flavourful filling, wrapped in a soft and crispy Indian-style crepe”. Outside of the Dosa, the crepe is soft and crispy at the same time. It is just delicious and makes you want to keep on eating the whole thing. Dosas are made of rice and lentil (urad) batter which makes Dosas 100% gluten and nut-free.
In its most simple form, Dosa is very similar to a crepe and is a very popular street food in India. Dosa is famous for its simple ingredients, interesting flavors, and even its sweet aroma. I love it for how easy and clean the ingredients are. It can be eaten as a snack, like breakfast, or really anytime you’re in the mood!
Where did dosa come from?
Dosas originated in South India; their exact birthplace in that region is a matter of conjecture. The origin of Dosa is still unclear to historians, According to historian P. Thankappan Nair, dosa originated in the Udupi town of present-day Karnataka. According to food historian K. T. Achaya, dosa (as dosai) was already in use in the ancient Tamil country around the 1st century AD, as per references in the Sangam literature.
In popular tradition, the origin of the dosa is linked to Udupi, probably because of the dish’s association with the Udupi restaurants. Also, the original Tamil dosa was softer and thicker. The thinner and crispier version of dosa was first made in present-day Karnataka.
What’s in the dosa?
There are many kinds of dosas but the most simple and traditional Dosas are called Masala Dosas. They are filled with a mix of potato, onion, and spices including mustard seeds, cumin, and turmeric. This is how most Dosas are eaten in India.
Want to know the common ingredients in dosa?
Here you go… The most common Dosa ingredients are the ones that typically make up the base, which is rice and black gram (urad) ground together with just a little bit of salt. Even though the base is somewhat simple, there are many different flavors of Dosa and, of course, different ingredients are required for each of those.
Some of the most common types of Dosa are:
- Masala Dosa
Masala dosa or masale dose or masaldosa is a variation of the popular South Indian food dosa, which has its origins in the Tuluva Mangalorean cuisine of Karnataka. It is made from rice, lentils, potato, methi (fenugreek seed), and curry leaves, and served with sambhar and chutney. - Cheese Dosa
Cheese dosa is an easy and tasty dosa variety made with dosa batter, cheese, onions, herbs, and served with coconut chutney. - Neer Dosa
The word neer literally means water in Tulu language, which means the batter is watery and not thick like a typical Dosa batter. Neer dosa is a delicacy from the Tulu Nadu region and part of Udupi. - Rava Dosa
Rava dosa is a popular South Indian dosa variety Made up of Rava (semolina), rice flour, and all-purpose flour (maida). You can make the Rava dosa plain or you can spice it up by adding chopped onions, curry leaves, herbs, and spices. - Paper Dosa Recipe
Paper dosa is a very thin and crunchy form of dosa which is prepared without any masala filling. It is the most basic one which can be made with readily available ingredients in the kitchen. They are light on the stomach and tasty as well. While you are preparing the batter of this dosa, make sure that you give enough time for its fermentation. A well-fermented batter dishes out amazing crispy dosas. - Benne Dosa
Benne dosa or benne dose is a type of dosa which traces its origin from the city of Davangere in Karnataka, India. The term “benne dosa” in the English language simply corresponds to butter dosa and is made with a lot of butter and typically served with coconut chutney.
However, dosa is a healthy breakfast option for people who keep a check on their fat intake. A high amount of saturated fat increases the risk of heart diseases and a number of other health problems and Dosas are low on saturated fat, which makes them a healthy and safe breakfast option. So, the next time you are craving something special for breakfast, prepare a crispy dosa. As dosa is not fried, the healthy breakfast option is perfect to start your day. The best part is you can easily eat low-calorie food even if you are on a diet.
Facts
- Dosa varieties have constantly experimented with, and there are over 600 varieties of dosa.
- One homemade without oil plain dosa contains approximately 112 calories.
- Dosa has been made for the past 2000 years and has originated from South India!
- A popular variation of the dosa is the masala dosa which is filled with a potato-onion mixture.
- The batter for dosa is made from a mix of rice and lentils which are soaked in water for a few hours and then ground into a fine batter.
Dosas can be enjoyed in a variety of ways and can be a great way to enjoy a meal any time of day. From the classic masala dosa to the modern spin on the dish, there’s no wrong way to enjoy a dosa. If you’re looking for a delicious and nutritious dish, give dosas a try! With a few simple ingredients and a few minutes in the kitchen, you’ll have a delicious meal you can enjoy.