How to Judge a Biryani – Tasting and Testing

A Foodie “Girlfriend” has invited us for a “Biryani Date” at a famous iconic restaurant of Pune which she claims serves the best Biryani in Pune. 

As they say – “the proof of the pudding is in the eating” – so I will tell you if it is indeed a good Biryani after tasting and testing it. 

Did I say “Testing”...? 

Will this Biryani pass all the 5 “Tests” of an Authentic Biryani...?

Dear Reader – Do you what are the five basic Authenticity Tests you must carry out to evaluate a Biryani...?

Read on...

ARE YOU BEING SERVED FAKE BIRYANI ...?

If you walk around Pune – you will find that a “Biryani House” has mushroomed at every nook and corner.

Of course – it is debatable whether the “meat-rice mixture” they serve would qualify as a “Biryani”. 

If you walk around Pune – you will find that a “Biryani House” has mushroomed at every nook and corner.

Most of these eateries serve a spicy medley of meat and rice which they pass off as “Biryani”. 

Earlier – there a few eateries which served decent Biryani – but sadly – even these restaurants have succumbed to “popular demand” – and have “spiced up” their Biryani. 

Nowadays – instead of authentic Biryani – I have seen many restaurants and caterers try to pass off pulaos (and various other medleys and potpourris of meat and rice) as Biryani.

Pulao is not Biryani.

Pulao is prepared by cooking the ingredients together.

In a Biryani the rice and meat are cooked separately – then assembled in layers – and given a “Dum”.

How do you evaluate a Biryani?

What are the qualities of a good Biryani? 

How do you test a Biryani to see whether you are being served a fake Biryani.

Let me delve into my Foodie Writing Archives and pull out this article I wrote more than 17 years ago – in the year 2000 – during my Mumbai days – on TESTING and TASTING a BIRYANI – and post it once more for your perusal.

So – next time you eat a Biryani – test it – to see if it is a Good Biryani – or – whether you are being served a Fake Biryani.

BIRYANI

Five Essential Qualities of a Good Biryani

Foodie Self-Help

By

VIKRAM KARVE

A plate of mouthwatering Biryani is placed in front of you.

On first impressions – how do you judge a Biryani…?

Well – as far as I am concerned – there are five basic tests you must carry out to assess a Biryani.

FIVE TESTS TO JUDGE A BIRYANI

Test No. 1

SPREAD TEST

First try the “Spread Test”.

Pick up a little Biryani in your fingers and sprinkle it on the side dish.

The grains of rice must not stick together but remain separate. 

The pieces of meat must be succulent – clear and dry – not greasy – and the meat must easily separate from the rice.

A good Biryani will easily qualify the spread test.

Test No. 2

AROMA TEST

Lift the plate of Biryani – and smell the pieces of meat. 

The Biryani must be pleasantly aromatic – and you must be able to discern the delicate sweetish fragrance and appetizing mouthwatering aroma of marinated spices.

The aroma must not be overpowering, sharp or piquant. 

The Biryani must pass the “aroma test” with flying colours as there is nothing more appetizing than a mouthwatering aroma…!

Test No. 3

TASTE TEST

Taste the meat – ideally mutton. 

The meat must be well-cooked, flavoursome, succulent, delicious.

Then roll some rice on your tongue – the subtle flavour and taste of the spices must mildly and pleasantly come through – and the Biryani must not be overpoweringly spicy, greasy or pungent.

Test No. 4

POTATO TEST

Now you come to the fourth test – the “Potato Test”.

Dig deep – and search for the Potato in the Biryani.

The potatoes must taste as scrumptious as the meat – that is the hallmark of a superlative Biryani.

And – if there is no potato – well dear fellow foodie – tell me – can there be a perfect Biryani without a potato which tastes as delicious as the meat…?

Test No. 5

TEMPERATURE TEST

Finally – here is the fifth test for Biryani. 

Has it been served at the right temperature with light aromatic steam coming out from the rice?

Do you feel the warmth on your tongue when you eat the inner part of the mutton?

 

THE PERFECT BIRYANI

 

So – the next time a plate of Biryani is put in front of you – before you eat it – do carry out these five simple tests – and tell us all about it.

Did the Biryani pass all the tests with flying colours? 

Is it a Perfect Biryani...? 

Or – is it a greasy potpourri of rice and meat – a Fake Biryani – or a Pulao – masquerading as an authentic Biryani...?

HAPPY BIRYANI EATING

VIKRAM KARVE

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Disclaimer:

1. These are my personal views based on my personal experience. Please do your own due diligence while testing a Biryani.

2. All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the stories are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

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This is an updated and revised version of my article on HOW TO JUDGE A BIRYANI written be me Vikram Karve more than 17 years ago in the year 2000 and posted online earlier in my Academic and Creative Writing Journal Blog on 30 Nov 2010 at url: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2010/11/biryani-how-to-judge-biryani-four-tests.html and reposted a number of times in my various blogs at urls http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2011/05/perfect-biryani-tasting-and-testing.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2015/12/what-is-good-biryani-5-tests.html  and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2016/03/are-you-being-served-fake-biryani.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2016/12/how-to-judge-biryani-5-basic-tests.html etc 

This popular Foodie Article written by me has also been carried by a number of magazines, ezines, blogs, forums and websites and online foodie portals.