Glossary
*common terms you will see on our menu
Dosa
Gluten-free crepe made from rice and urad dal (Indian lentil).
Sambhaar
Soup-like lentil and vegetable dish spiced with chili and tamarind.
Idli
Steamed dumplings made from rice and urad dal (Indian lentil).
Kitchari
A mixture of rice, dal, vegetables, and spices that is easy to digest and high in protein.
Chai
The Indian word for tea. Often refers to spiced black tea made with milk and spices.
Lassi
A refreshing drink made from yogurt, water, and spices. Can be sweet or salty.
Atta Flour
Bread flour from India. Wheat alternative with very low gluten content.
Puri
Deep-fried bread made from atta flour.
Hing a.k.a. Asafoetida powder
Onion/garlic-flavored spice made from the resin of a large Indian plant related to fennel.
Saffron
World’s most expensive spice. Golden wth a floral and earthy flavor and antioxidant properties.
Cardamom
World’s third most expensive spice. Warm, spicy, and earthy flavor.
Basmati Rice
A long-grain scented rice originating in the foothills of the Indian Himalayas. Very digestible and nutritious.
Mung Dal
Small green bean that has been husked and split. Usually a medium yellow color. Easy to digest.
Prana
The life force, the vital energy that activates the body and mind.
Rasa
The first experience of a taste of food in the mouth. There are six tastes – sweet, sour, salty, bitter, astringent and pungent.
Paneer
The simplest form of homemade cheese. Produced from boiling raw milk.
Vadai
Deep-fried patty made from lentils and spices.
Tandul Vadai
Deep-fried patty made from rice, lentils, and spices
Dal
Indian name for lentils or pulses, and an excellent source of protein.
Utthapam
South Indian version of pizza, with a gluten-free dough made with dosa batter.
Kapora
Vegetable pieces, such as yams and cauliflower, dipped in a chickpea batter and deep-fried.
Ladu
Ball-shaped sweets commonly made from dried fruit, nuts, and seeds.
Chapati
Yeast-free flatbread made from atta flour.
Rasam
Spicy South Indian soup known to cure colds and flu.
Agni
Biological fire of the metabolism, including digestion. The key to health and disease.
Agave Nectar
The sticky-sweet juice naturally extracted from the agave cactus. Low glycemic.
Besan
Chickpea flour. Used in Indian coking as a binding agent.
Chutney
Condiments made from fresh ingredients such as cilantro, coconut, dates, an ginger. Served cooked or raw.
Ghee
Clarified oil made from unsalted butter that has been gently cooked and the milk solids removed.
Tulsi
Sacred holy Indian basil plant. The sacred plant of Krishna. It is said to open the heart and mind, bestowing the energy of love and devotion.
Urad Dal
A dry bean that is a close relative of the mung bean. Creamy white inside with a blackish skin. Has a high protein content.
Raita
A tasty condiment to accompany meals. A good aid to digestion. Yogurt is the main ingredient in all raitas.