A traditional Indian household alters its menu based on the day of the week (e.g., no meat on Tuesdays/Thursdays) or the season (cooling foods like cucumber and curd in summer; warming foods like sesame and ghee in winter).
West India showcases extreme diversity. Gujarat is predominantly vegetarian, known for its sweet-and-savory flavor profiles seen in dishes like Dhokla and Gujarati Dal . Meanwhile, the coastal regions of Goa and Maharashtra offer fiery seafood dishes, such as Goan Fish Curry , heavily utilizing coconut milk and local souring agents like kokum . The Art of Spices: Science Beyond Flavor desi aunty gand in saree