Naan | Description, History, Ingredients, Preparation, & Varieties (2024)

FAQs

What is the history of naan? ›

originating from over 2,500 years ago, naan, today identified as a leavened indian flatbread, traces its history back to old iran or persia, where the word “naan” referred to bread baked on hot pebbles.

6 Answers. Naan traditionally is plain flat bread made using bread flour, Yeast, salt and water. Its cooked in tandoor.

Afghan naan is different in shape, texture, and taste from Indian varieties. While the main ingredient – wheat flour – is the same, Afghan bakers hand-shape the dough, rather than rolling it out, and their use of a tandoor results in large, pillowy rounds.

Although still a staple of South Asian and Middle Eastern cuisines—and especially associated with Indian cuisine—the versatility and flavor of naan have led to its incorporation into many different dishes and cuisines worldwide.

Naan is a plusher leavened flatbread compared to dosai. According to TasteAtlas, it traces back to being originally cooked as a naan e-tunuk (light bread) or naan-e-tanuri (thicker bread) in a tandoor oven. Today, naan is widely consumed across cultures in the wider Carribean region as well.

The bottom line

Naan, while nutritious, cannot be a cure-all for a diet that's high in processed sugars and fats and low in nutrients. You can use naan as a vehicle for nutritious foods, like vegetables and legumes. Pair whole wheat naan with beans, lentils, chickpeas, and peas as many dishes do in Indian cuisine.

Naan bread can be part of a healthy diet, especially if you choose whole grain varieties. Naan bread contains vitamins and minerals like niacin, fiber, and iron, as well as fiber. It also is a good source of carbohydrates, which provide energy.

2% milk works well, but I do not recommend using fat-free or skim milk. Full-fat Greek yogurt. The full-fat dairy in this naan recipe gives it a soft texture and rich taste.

Some of the most popular flavoured variations are plain naan, Peshwari naan, garlic and coriander naan and cheese naan.

It resembles pita bread but unlike pita, it has yogurt, milk, sometimes eggs or butter which makes it softer than the pita bread. Our bakers shape it into a ball and slap it on the walls of our tandoor (clay oven). Traditional Naan consists of flour, salt, yeast and yogurt to make a smooth and elastic dough.

What is another name for naan? ›

Kulcha. This next bread is often confused with naan due to its similar appearance. While naan is usually made with yeast and yogurt or milk, kulcha is usually made with baking powder and baking soda.

Lo-Dough is much more than an alternative to bread (or naan, in this case), it's a low carb bread and pastry alternative which can be used in a number of different ways. One of the most. It's an Asian classic that could be a superb Friday night feast, only without the calories and carbs.

Naan is a soft, pillowy flatbread traditionally baked in a tandoor. This cylindrical clay or metal oven, prevalent in restaurant kitchens across the Indian subcontinent, the Middle East, and Central Asia, reaches scorching temperatures, imparting a distinct smoky flavor to foods.

Originally, naan was developed after the arrival of yeast in India from Egypt. During India's Mughal era in the 1520s, Naan was a delicacy that only nobles and royal families enjoyed because the art of making Naan was a revered skill, known by few.

Usually softer, naan originates in India, by way of Persia. The name comes from the Persian word, non, for bread. Unlike pita, naan has yogurt, milk, and sometimes eggs or butter in it, resulting in a softer texture.

Origins of pita bread

An older bread than naan, pita originated in the Middle East some 4,000 years ago. Pita is a Greek word that can be translated to mean bread or pie. Over time, pita spread to the wheat-eating regions of Europe, Asia, and Africa.

While it may contain more carbs and sugars, it earns its reputation as a healthy alternative with its relatively generous amounts of protein and fiber. Despite its high carb content, naan can be considered a more nutrient-dense alternative to white bread and pita.