Spice Up Your Knowledge: Top 10 Fun Facts About Curry You Never Knew!

1. Japanese Curry Vending Machine

In a world where humans crave instant gratification, one Japanese vending machine bravely offers a hot and spicy alternative to satisfy hunger pangs faster than you can say "Konnichiwa": Hidden away in Awa City's Donari-cho, Tokushima Prefecture, lies a 30-year-old curry and rice vending machine, where 300 yen will get you a serving of steaming white rice and aromatic curry, all conveniently packaged in vacuum-sealed bags and kept at a toasty 158°F. Thanks to the dedicated Mr. Tadashi Yoshimoto – farmer, rice grower, and die-hard curry enthusiast – you too can embark on a blissful culinary journey, joining a rarefied club of taste seekers who've trekked from as far as Tokyo and Osaka to curry favor with this inimitable contraption.
Source => soranews24.com

2. British Invention of "Curry"

In a saucy twist of lingual fate: "curry" is actually a British invention! Born during their rule in India, the Brits took the Tamil word "kari" (meaning sauce) and anglicized it. Today, "curry" gets thrown around for any South Asian dish with sauce or gravy, even though Indians themselves rarely use the term.
Source => indiaphile.info

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3. Curry's Ancient Roots

Hold on to your tandoori chickens and practice your sacred cow pose, because curry's been stirring up a culinary storm since ancient times: Archaeological evidence indicates that key curry ingredients, such as ginger, garlic, and turmeric, were used in the Indus civilization between 2500 and 2200 B.C., making it potentially one of the oldest continuously prepared cuisines on Earth.
Source => slate.com

4. London's First Indian Restaurant

Before the Brits found solace in spicy curry-induced sweat, they had to build palates of steel – and it all began at the Hindoostane Coffee House: Shockingly, London's first Indian eatery was opened way back in 1810 by Sake Dean Mahomed, a former British East India Company's army captain, only to close down in 1812 due to bankruptcy. But fret not, the spicy legacy lives on with a plaque marking the spot since 2005!
Source => en.wikipedia.org

5. Astronaut Sunita's Curry Connection

Race you to the moon in a curry-powered rocket: Indian-American astronaut Sunita Williams ran a whopping 42.2 km in the 2007 Boston Marathon onboard the International Space Station, securing her place in the celestial hall of fame, alongside her records for longest spaceflight by a woman and most spacewalking time by a female space traveler.
Source => indianexpress.com

6. UK's Curry Capital: Bradford

Currying favor with the food gods in the land of three lions and tea: Bradford, England is known as the Curry Capital of the UK, boasting an array of irresistible curry houses and Indian restaurants, and even allowing patrons to bring their own potions to accompany the tongue-tantalizing fare.
Source => wearehomesforstudents.com

7. The Japanese Vermont Curry Connection

Who said the Land of the Rising Sun never partook in some Vermont fun? Well, they clearly haven't tried Japanese curry: The nation's most beloved store-bought curry roux, Vermont Curry, incorporates apple and honey to dial down the heat, with its name inspired by the American state known for apple cider vinegar and honey folk remedies. House Vermont Curry remains a fan favorite, making its way to Japanese/Asian grocery stores and supermarkets worldwide, faster than you can say "lost in translation."
Source => japan.recipetineats.com

8. The Spicy Science of Curry Heat

Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for curry, the feisty relative of the chili pepper – busting moves on your taste buds and leaving a burning sensation in its wake like a spicy Rickroll! The real shocker: it's all thanks to our body's confused interpretation of Capsaicin, the active ingredient that triggers pain fibers in our skin, leading to the hot and heavy experience of a burn instead of your typical cut or pinch. In this deliciously deceptive masquerade, we've transformed a neural danger signal into a culinary delight, one mouthwatering mouthful at a time.
Source => scientificamerican.com

9. Curry Powder: The Inflammation Fighter

If curry powder could talk, it might say, "I'm not just a pretty face with an irresistible aroma, I've got the power to soothe your inflammation woes too!": This spicy blend of turmeric, coriander, and chili powder has anti-inflammatory properties, regulating inflammatory proteins and potentially easing symptoms of diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease.
Source => healthline.com

10. The Japanese Curry Invasion

In a classic case of culinary identity theft, the land of sushi and tempura has been harboring a spicy, saucy fugitive from the East, but with a plot twist borrowed from the West: Japanese-style curry rice became a national obsession, ranking high among both kids and adults' favorites, after being introduced via Europe. This Westernized version of the Indian-originating dish evolved over time to include a plethora of vegetables, seafood, and region-specific adaptations, making deep fried curry bread (curry pan) in downtown Tokyo in 1927 the ultimate bakery heist across Japan.
Source => tokyocentral.com