Indian breads are a staple throughout the country, being consumed with almost every meal. There are more than 30 types of bread in the Indian sub-continent alone, showing how important they are to the people and how regularly they’re eaten. When you’re looking to find traditional and authentic breads in India, there’s no better place to head to other than Taftoon in Mumbai, India.
Indian Breads: The History
You might be shocked to know, but rotis and chapatis date all the way back to the Harappan civilization in India. There’s even mention of it in Tulsidas’s Ram Charitamanas, and that was in the 16th century! It apparently resembled a katori (bowl) that it was served in and was known as ‘Rotika’. The naan, on the other hand, actually originated in Central Asia and was mentioned by poet Amir Khusrao in 1300 AD.
The Portuguese then came to India centuries later, and that’s when oven-baked bread was introduced. Today, Indian breads come in all shapes (quite literally) and varieties.
Signature Breads at Taftoon
Zafrani Taftoon: Oven-baked deliciousness, and our namesake. This bread is originally from Iran and has hints of saffron and cardamom.
Baquerkhani: Inspired by Kashmir, this is a poppy-crusted bread that is a great addition to a Wazwan-style meal.
Nihari Kulcha: Straight from the streets of Purani Dilli, this is milk and ghee-based leavened bread. And yes, you guessed it right, it goes perfectly with both of our nihari options!
Lal Naan: This is a crispy layered bread that’s generously lathered with aged chilli oil and nuts.
Girda: This is also another bread from Kashmir, leavened with yeast and baked to a crispy crust.
Radha Bollobhi: Step into the streets of Bengal with this fried Bengali puri which is stuffed with spiced mashed lentils/green peas. It is a seasonal dish, so make sure to get your hands on it when it’s available!
We also offer other GT Road classics that pair perfectly with our menu, including tandoori roti, laccha paratha, butter naan, whole wheat roomali roti and cheese-garlic naan. And for our gluten-free folks out there, try out our millet roti, and we promise you’re in for a delight!
And if you’re looking for some inspiration on what to try with these at Taftoon, don’t worry, we’ve got you! If you’re in the mood for a meaty delight, why not go for some Peer Dhuan Gosht (mutton curry from Old Awadh) or Dak Bungalow Chicken (British-era one-pot chicken curry).
For vegetarian lovers, there’s Bharwaan Kadhai (from Unnao, a curry made of seasonal vegetables and big chillies) and Kofta Al Yakhni (a vegetarian Waza recipe of bottle gourd balls in a yoghurt gravy). And that’s definitely not all! So what are you waiting for? It’s time to eat delicious food in Mumbai, India, with breads that are every bit as good as the curries themselves. Visit Taftoon today.
