Idli's Secret History: South India's Beloved Breakfast Has an Indonesian Connection!

• Idli, a staple South Indian breakfast, is surprisingly believed to have Indonesian origins, not Indian.
• Historians suggest "Kedli," a steamed rice dish from Indonesia, was introduced to India by Southeast Asian traders.
• Food historian K. T. Achaya linked "Kedli" to the early forms of idli, highlighting its foreign roots.
• Arab traders popularized fermentation, and Indian cooks later refined idli by adding urad dal, making it softer.
• From ancient texts like Manasollasa to its modern global popularity, idli's journey showcases culinary evolution across borders.

Why It Matters: Idli, South India's beloved dish, has a fascinating Indonesian origin and a journey of culinary evolution.