Sensuality of eating with our hands

(Photo: Google pics)

“Wash your hands before eating”

“Hath Dho lo”

“Hath Dhuye Khete Bosho”

“Khana Tom Pahilam apane Hatha dhovo”.

These are some common phrases heard in an Indian Household. This is Especially said by Moms to their errant children. Washing our hands before eating is such a widespread ritual in India that even modern advertising greats have been using them to promote their brands namely soaps, sinks, hand washes etc. We don’t think much of it.

But it will surprise Most of you to know that this custom mostly followed in Southeast Asia is conspicuously absent in the western countries. This is mostly because in the West people prefer Spoons and Forks to hands while eating. Though Americans use hands, they are unclean and filthy by nature so let’s ignore them. Eating with the hands is seen as animalistic and unhealthy in most parts of the West.

(Photo: Google pics)

Italians though God bless the nation love to eat with their hands. Just saying I love Italy. So back to subject at hand.

Recently I was watching a Food show (Being the great foodie that I am) I noticed a bizarre thing. The host was visiting India and had been served Biryani (Indian Rice and Mutton Delicacy) in a small roadside café in Kolkata. The food looked delicious but was served on a small plate without cutlery. This was the interesting part. The Host looked perplexed; he looked around for a minute trying to figure out how to attack his food without spoons. I guess he had never encountered such a ‘difficult’ situation.

(Photo: Google pics)

A family nearby saw his dilemma and came to his rescue. They Instructed him on how to eat with his hands and also the old lady ordered him to wash his hands before eating. You really can’t keep a mother from disciplining children at any age. This seemed to calm him. The disgust of using his hands quickly turned to a new adventure. I can’t describe the look of bliss I noticed on the face of the Host when he took his first bite of the food. I know most people will think the food was great. It was no doubt good. But readers the way he thanked the family for helping him eat made it clear to me it was because of the way of eating not just the Food. A new way of life had been opened in front of him.

Eating with our hands is oddly sensual. When we eat with spoons and forks we miss the touch of love that hands bring to the table. The care one takes to scoop a bite of food and slowly place it in the mouth is unparalleled to anything. Sometimes I find a relatively watery curry flowing down my wrist. I have been known to lick it off.

Don’t judge me. I hate wasting.

The soft touch of food the slow flow of curry and the sharp sting of hot bhaji (Fritters) on the fingers can only be experienced if we use our hands. Eating with a spoon only allows you to feel the cold harsh touch of steel.

(Photo: Google pics)

I was always taught to eat slowly. To enjoy my food. I have travelled to many parts of India. But this rule seems to stay. Enjoy your food.

Hands give us the freedom to do so. Recently in Chennai, I ate at a village home. The food was humble. Delicious but humble. The Amma saved us Tamarind rice, Ginger Rassam and some Tair Pachauri (Raita). I ate sitting on the floor on a banana leaf with my hands.

With every bite I took, it reminded me of the love and care that Amma put in her food. She sat in front of me the whole time fanning me. Her eyes would light up every time I put food in my mouth. These are moments you can’t experience if you stick to cutlery.

So I end my story today with this. Try eating with your hands. You will love it. I heard someone once say what is better than orgasm a plate of hot steaming food. I can add to it that use your hands and the pleasure will surely double.

Good Bye, and Keep Living. Enjoy Food.