What Does Dal Taste Like?

Indian food could easily be its own culinary world. The large country has many separate regions, each with its own style of cooking and contributions to the world at large.

There’s a lot to explore when it comes to Indian cooking, but one specific ingredient you may have heard of is dal. In this guide, we’ll talk about what dal tastes like, on top of answering other preparation questions.

Let’s take a closer look…

What Does Dal Taste Like?

Dal is a word that can refer to two different things: various types of split legumes or soups that are made from the aforementioned ingredients. The taste will depend on which of these things you are referring to.

There are many different kinds of dal and dal soups. Depending on which kind of dal you use, your soup can be nutty, buttery, creamy, earthy, or green-tasting. The possibilities are virtually endless.

Are you interested in learning more about Indian food? Take a look at our guide to what dhokla tastes like.

Can We Eat Dal Every Day?

Should you feel inclined, you can indeed eat dal every day. There is plenty of evidence to show that dal is packed full of health benefits.

First, because dal as an ingredient is full of fiber, it can aid your digestive system. In addition, the fiber can leave you feeling satisfied longer after eating, resulting in fewer guilty snacking sessions.

The legumes that comprise dal are also an excellent source of protein. If you’re a vegetarian or vegan, you understand the challenge of getting enough protein in your diet. Dal can help you in that regard.

Which Dal is Harmful?

Dal soups are an easy comfort food for many people. Unfortunately, you may have heard that a couple specific types are harmful for you: moong or masoor dal.

Recent studies showed that some pulses being imported to India contained toxic components, including the herbicide glyphosate. For that reason, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India advised people to stop consuming moong or masoor dal.

We didn’t find any information showing that this was the case for Indian cooks in the United States. To be safe, research a type of dal carefully before bringing it home from the grocery store. Learn where it comes from and if there are any potential risks.

Read Also: What Does Indian Food Taste Like?

How Do You Know When Dal is Cooked?

Are you cooking dal for the first time and can’t tell when it’s finished? Don’t worry – it’s easy to get confused when you’re preparing it for the first time.

Dal should be tender when it’s fully cooked. How long it takes to become tender varies based on the type you’re using and your recipe, so make sure you pay attention to the instructions.

If all else fails, don’t be afraid to taste a little sample – much like you would when checking the tenderness of noodles.

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Wrap Up

Learning about global foods is always an interesting experience. There are countless recipes and ingredients around the world that you might never hear about. For those of us in the western hemisphere, dal might be one of those ingredients and dishes. Now you can say you know a little more about it and how to prepare it!