The History of Rural SriLankan Cuisine

SriLankan cuisine is unique and plays a vital role in the day to day life of Sri Lankans. Srilanka is known for its appetizing food culture and patterns. Srilankan culinary art is recognized as one of the sixty-four types of art or "Sou Seta Kalawa". 

Anuradhapura is considered the first kingdom of ancient SriLanka. The civilization centralized to this kingdom accepted rice as their staple food and it is accepted by all the Sri Lankans by now. According to the historical book "Mahawansa", there are thirteen ways of preparing rice which consists of thirteen unique variations in taste. They are as following, rice porridge, milk rice, fried rice (cooked with oil without vegetables), sour rice, rice cooked with sugar, rice cooked with jaggery, rice cooked with honey, rice cooked with bee honey, rice cooked with ghee, milk rice cooked with sugar, honey, ghee and oil, rice cooked with king coconut water, ghee and spices.

Bran was also considered the second prominent food during the past. Pittu, Thalapa, Rotti are some delicious food prepared using bran which is rich in nutrients. When there is a lack of food during certain periods during the past people used to consume cereals such as Meneri, Amu, Lotus seeds, Madu and even yams found from forests as a main meal. They also consumed meat, fish, vegetables, Undu, Sesame and green gram. 

Rural villagers also prepared a special dish called " Hathmaluwa" which is not the dish prepared at present with the combination of seven vegetable. "Hathmaluwa" was called seven types of food preparing methods. Srilankans also use natural condiments such as black pepper, ginger, garlic, saffron etc to make food more palatable. Srilankans have the habit of consuming dairy products "Pasgoarasa", sweets and fruits after the main three meals. Not only that people were treated with betels even after meals.

Srilankan food pattern has its own cultural characteristics. The curries we prepare are known for fiery hot spicy flavours and coconut milk is a very distinct feature of SriLankan cuisine that different regions of the country specialize in different types of dishes. It is must say that these mouthwatering food does not only provide deliciousness but also assure the healthiness of people.