The outrage over idli quickly turned into a sambhar war over which state does better.
A British professor’s tweet brings South Indians together on the social media platform. No, the history teacher wasn’t talking about colonialism, not even about cricket. The academic’s dig into the humble idli, a basic breakfast (well, lunch and dinner too), calling it “the most boring thing in the world,” has South India flooding his timeline.
Idli are the most boring things in the world. https://t.co/2RgHm6zpm4
– Edward Anderson (@ edanderson101) October 6, 2020
Edward Anderson quickly realized his controversial opinion and tried to pacify South India.
PS Before all of South India attacks me, can I just say that I love dosa and appam and basically all South Indian food? But idli (and puttu for that matter) are unbearable.
– Edward Anderson (@ edanderson101) October 6, 2020
But it was too late.
Does it come from someone who enjoys boiled beans without masala toast and toast for breakfast?
– Leo Saldanha (@leofsaldanha) October 7, 2020
Yes, my son, there are some who are really challenged in this world. Civilization is difficult to acquire: the taste and refinement to appreciate idlis, enjoy cricket, or watch ottamthullal is not given to all mortals. Have mercy on this poor man, because he may never know what Life can be. https://t.co/M0rEfAU3V3
– Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) October 7, 2020
Idlis are the perfect carrier food. They are not overpowering in taste, fermentation makes them super healthy, and they are the perfect combination of carbohydrates and lentil protein. You can turn them into upmas and usalis, chop and fry them for use in Chaat, and eat them as is. https://t.co/Xh24vzPfMT
– Manasvin Rajagopalan has the QE (@SouthAsianBuoy) October 7, 2020
My Tamil blood is ready to defend idlis
– Manasvin Rajagopalan has the QE (@SouthAsianBuoy) October 7, 2020
Edward, that noise you hear is that of the South Indians mobilizing the army. What have you done? !!!!
– Rajesh Mehta (@RajeshBKDM) October 6, 2020
You have made a serious mistake that I hope will haunt you for life
– Khemta Hannah José (@khemta_h_jose) October 6, 2020
Some offered suggestions on how to eat idlis.
People assume that idlis are tasteless, because most idlis are not fermented or salted enough in the right way, and are often soft and compact (when the dough is over-ground) rather than airy and slightly grainy. An idli with only ghee is brilliant
– SHR (@ sriharshu26) October 6, 2020
Have you ever tried Fried Mini Podi idlis? pic.twitter.com/VoCmHaW5dl
– Dhivya Marunthiah (@DhivCM) October 7, 2020
Okay, taste is always your own preference. But try it for the Idly / Mutton (lamb) combination. pic.twitter.com/oVkv5JLLD6
– Naveen (@knaveenr) October 8, 2020
Try to be cool and warm – Idlis con
Hot sambhar
Red or green coconut chutneyOr even a spicy beef, lamb, or chicken kheema
I can hit 8-10 Idlis
Note: Idlis must be “perfect”: porous and soft and never hard
– Terence (@terence_fdes) October 6, 2020
My mother bakes idli muffins with various spices – a tasty alternative.
– Sadie (@nonneemouse) October 6, 2020
While Edward apologized (well, more or less) asking for a plate of idli, there were many who came out in support.
https://t.co/oQXIxNeObj
– Edward Anderson (@ edanderson101) October 7, 2020
I am from South India and I agree with you.
And they are going to kill me for this.
– Advaid അദ്വൈത് (@Advaidism) October 7, 2020
Now make biriyani and also piss from the rest of India 🙂
(Yes, idlis aren’t at the top of my list either.)– Peter Griffin (@zigzackly) October 7, 2020
100%. And for those who say ‘what matters is the accompaniment’, you can have the same accompaniments with much better carbohydrates !!!
– Vinay Aravind (@vinayaravind) October 6, 2020
But the outrage over idli quickly turned into a sambhar war over which state does better.
I have to completely agree! but at the risk of pissing off all the mallus on twitter I’ll add, the malayalis really don’t know how to make sambar and chutney for the idlis or dosa for that matter !!! Kannadigas and Tamils (in that order) win hands down. https://t.co/g5AVVm6ZKx
– TM Krishna (@tmkrishna) October 8, 2020
Heart in Coimbatore, and that’s why I’ll say this. Those who have not eaten Annapoorna sambar idli by 7 am may not love idli. The perfect combination is Sagar Ratna Mangalore idli with Annapoorna sambar and chutney. Ratna Café podi idli, deivam. 🙂
– Subha Jayanagaraja (@subhajrao) October 8, 2020
You call that sweet concoction Kannadigas makes sambar? Sambar has to be arachivittu. But even that can’t rescue idlis from being boring
– Natasha (@ nuts2406) October 8, 2020
Only the coastal kannadigas make the so-called sweet sambar.
South Karnataka Esp Old Mysuru Making Chutney From Gingelly A Horsegram Powder
They also have bamboo stuffed idli or chibilu idli or idli plate which is totally different.
Don’t generalize sambars in a Karnataka– Pradeeepks (@Mailpradeepks) October 8, 2020
I totally agree that Kannadigas make better sambar. It comes from someone who lives in a home that makes sambar made by both states.
– Shilpashree Jagannathan (@shilpajn) October 8, 2020
I’m a perfect transition between mallu and tamizh … and tamizh chutney-sambhar for idli-dosai wins hands down. Mallu is nowhere near. Mallu cheriya-ulli and molagu chammanthi on the other hand, heavenly! Kannadiga sweet sambhar – amazing!
– Elizabeth Seshadri (@lizsesh) October 8, 2020
Don’t be offended, but it should be Kannada followed by Andhra .. Andhra chutney and idli is far superior
– Anirudh (@ anirudh_89) October 8, 2020
Idli is idli whether in Tamilnadu, Karnataka or Kerala. Soft, fluffy, dry … it has no life or flavor. Sambar is best done in North Malabar.
– jyothi menon (@ JyothiNair76) October 8, 2020
Read also:
Ellu a Chammanthi podi: 12 South Indian pods you must try
Hyderabadi, Thalassery or Awadhi? KTR, Amitabh Kant and Vir Sanghvi join the Biriyani debate
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