NEW DELHI: TasteAtlas, an online food guide that caused a stir by including the popular Indian cuisine Aloo Baingan (a dish of potatoes and eggplant) on its list of "100 Worst Rated Foods In The World," has created controversy. Despite being loved for its simple yet delicious taste, it ranked 60th position leaving fans in disbelief.
Although Aloo Baingan only received a rating of 2.7 out of 5, its selection as the sole representative for Indian cuisine on some platforms has caused passionate food enthusiasts to defend it fervently on social media. Prabhjot Singh, from Foodkars - a group dedicated to sharing culinary experiences online- expressed disappointment at this decision stating that "Brinjal is considered the king of vegetables and there isn't any restaurant or dhaba in North India where brinjal isn't regularly served! The jury should come experience authentic Aloo Baingan first-hand."
Shagun Malhotra, a well-known food influencer, emphasized the cultural importance of Aloo Baingan. She stated that outsiders who are accustomed to flavorless foods without any spices may not appreciate it fully; however, this dish is exceptional for the Indian palate as most Indians grew up enjoying its taste. Anoothi Vishal, a renowned writer and food historian delved into the historical significance of Aloo Baingan by remarking on how ancient ingredients such as brinjal, turmeric and ginger have always been part of India's culinary heritage since time immemorial.
According to Vishal, Baingan with spices is a dish that dates back to ancient times in the Indian subcontinent and holds historical significance. He acknowledged that personal preferences play an important role while arriving at any conclusion about food choices; however, he emphasized that spicing defines Indian cuisine. Although Aloo Baingan may not be considered as the most outstanding eggplant-based dish, it certainly does not rank among the worst either.
Aloo Baingan holds the 60th position on the list, but it is outweighed by Iceland's Hákarl- a delectable dish of fermented shark that tops all others. A close second on this diverse and opinionated compilation comes from America - ramen noodle burger with a meat patty stuffed inside its unique bun made of noodles! TasteAtlas rankings have sparked ongoing culinary debates among enthusiasts worldwide owing to their subjective nature.
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