Do you ever wonder why is Indian food expensive? Well, this blog is here to shed some light on the matter.
Not only will you learn about the surprising reasons behind this phenomenon, but you’ll also be able to save money on Indian food items in the process!
So read on to find out everything you need to know about why is Indian food so expensive and how to save money on it.
Why Is Indian Food So Expensive?
Indian food is often expensive for a few reasons. First, spices and oil are used liberally in Indian cuisine, which means that ingredients like cumin, cardamom, and cashews will be expensive.
Second, many ingredients are used sparingly to preserve flavor, which can add up. Third, restaurants charge a higher price for dinner reservations than other times, due to the increased demand.
And finally, many people believe that Indian food is more complex than other types of food, resulting in a higher price tag.
While there are many reasons why is Indian food expensive, understanding the basics will help you to make better food choices and save money in the long run.
1. Many Ingredients
One of the prominent features of Indian cuisine is its vast variety of ingredients. This makes it costly to prepare as many spices and curries contain a lot of different ingredients that are hard to find and expensive to buy in bulk.
2. Time to Cook
It takes a lot of time and effort to prepare authentic Indian food. Not only do most spices have to be imported, but the labour involved in making it all come together is also quite significant.
In fact, many restaurants charge a high premium for their cuisine because people overseas are always looking for something new and exciting to eat.
Given all this, it’s not surprising that Indians often find it difficult to dine out at popular restaurants without splurging on expensive dishes.
On top of that, even if they manage to save up enough money for an extravagant meal, they might not enjoy the taste as much due to its exclusive nature – most likely unfamiliar with ingredients used in Indian cuisine.
3. Harder to Find
One of the main reasons why Indian cuisine is so expensive is that it is harder to find. The ingredients used in most Indian dishes are usually hard to come by, and as a result, they have a higher cost than typical food items.
For instance, cardamom seeds and cloves are commonly used in Indian spice blends but they are not imported into many other countries for safety reasons. As a result, their prices have skyrocketed in recent years due to scarcity caused by stricter regulations surrounding importation and export of such spices.
Another significant factor contributing towards high food costs for Indians overseas is the use of pre-packaged sauces and spices from India which often contain higher amounts of cardamom or clove than what’s needed (resultingantly leading to inflated prices). Restaurant chains across the globe profit immensely from these overpriced additives.
4. Expensive Ingredients
When it comes to food, Indian cuisine is often considered to be expensive. This is because the ingredients used in Indian recipes are usually expensive and not readily available in other countries.
These include spices and herbs that have to be imported from faraway lands, time-consuming preparation methods that increase costs, as well as stringent health and safety regulations that drive up prices even more.
5. Overhead Expenses
When it comes to food, there are a number of costs that need to be taken into account. These include the cost of ingredients, wages paid to skilled chefs from India, infrastructure costs associated with importing and exporting food etcetera.
All these factors come together to make Indian cuisine a costly affair for those looking for an excellent taste at an affordable price.
Conclusion
Indian food is notoriously expensive, but there are a few reasons for this. Some of the main reasons include the high cost of ingredients, the long processing time, and the rarity of some spices.
However, there are ways to save money on Indian food without compromising on the quality of the food. Try using cheaper substitutes for some of the expensive ingredients, cooking at home instead of going to a restaurant, or ordering food online to save on delivery fees.
In the end, it all comes down to knowing what you’re looking for and shopping around for the best prices. Thanks for reading and we hope that this blog was helpful!
