The main difference between kulcha and naan is that kulcha is an Indian flatbread made using maida or refined white flour, while naan is a type of Indian flatbread made with wheat flour. In addition, unlike kulcha dough, naan dough is leavened with yeast and yogurt or milk, making it lighter and softer in texture.
Both kulcha and naan are two traditional and frequently made delicacies in rich Indian cuisine. If you are not an Indian foodie, you might find it difficult to identify the difference between kulcha and naan due to their similar appearance. However, these two versions of flatbread vary in the ingredients they use.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Kulcha
– Definition, Ingredients
2. What is Naan
– Definition, Ingredients
3. Similarities Between Kulcha and Naan
– Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Kulcha and Naan
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Kulcha, Naan, Flatbread, Indian
What is Kulcha
Kulcha is a variety of Indian flatbreads made with maida or refined white flour. Kulcha originated in the state of Punjab, especially around Amritsar. This is why even in Europe, Kulcha is popular by the name Amritsari Kulcha.
Kulcha is actually another variant of the traditional naan. Just like we stuff naan, when preparing the kulcha dough, we mix different spices and mashed potatoes with it to add distinct flavors. When the kulcha dough rises up properly, we make dough balls. Then we usually flatten the dough balls and bake them in the earthen clayware until they turn brownish. Similar to naan, we can serve kulcha with many vegetables and curries. Chola is a common curry that Indians always serve with kulcha. They also spread butter or ghee over kulcha to make them even more delicious.
What is Naan
Naan is a traditional Indian flatbread made with wheat flour. It is different from kulcha in the sense that maida flour is the main ingredient in kulcha. Unlike when making kulcha, we usually leaven the naan dough with yeast, sometimes with yogurt or milk. This adds extra softness to the flatbread and gives it an extra bounce.
Compared with roti and chapatti, cooking naan takes extra time. In preparing naan, the first step is to make the dough, mixing it with salt and the leavening agents. The kneaded dough is then kept aside for several hours for it to rise up. Finally, the dough balls are flattened and cooked in an oven or in earthen clayware. Sometimes, the Indians season the naan with nigella seeds. They also spread butter all over the naan to make it even more appetizing to the taste buds.
Similarities Between Kulcha and Naan
- Naan and kulcha are Indian flatbreads
- Sometimes, the cooks stuff naan and kulcha with different spices and potatoes.
- We serve both these flatbeds with curries.
- In addition, spreading butter or ghee all over the flatbreads enhance their flavor.
Difference Between Kulcha and Naan
Definition
Kulcha is an Indian flatbread made with maida or refined white flour, while naan is an Indian flatbread made with wheat flour.
Ingredients
We usually make kulcha dough with maida flour and salt, but for naan dough, we use wheat flour, yeast, milk or yogurt.
Shape
Traditional naans are usually triangular or oblong in shape, whereas in traditional Indian cuisine, the kulchas are usually circular in shape.
Different Varieties
Naans are available in a variety of flavors: plain naan, butter naan, keema naan, cheese naan, garlic naan, etc. Gobi kulcha, aaloo kulcha, pyaaz kulcha, paneer kulcha, and cheese kulcha are some popular varieties of kulchas available all over the world.
Conclusion
In brief, the main difference between kulcha and naan is that kulcha uses maida, whereas naan uses wheat flour. If you are an Indian food lover, both naan and kulcha must be delicacies you love to enjoy every time you visit an Indian restaurant for a traditional Indian meal.
Reference:
1. “Top 20 Types OF Naan to Have with Gravy.” Crazy Masala Food, 19 June 2021.
2. “Kulcha.” Wikipedia, 9 August 2021.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Indian, naan, bread, food, food and drink, close-up, plate, selective focus, freshness, indoors” (CC0) via Pxfuel
2. “Kulcha, Indian stuffed bread” By Jason Lam – Flickr: 04 Indian Kulcha bread (CC BY-SA 2.0) via Commons Wikimedia
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