Google's annual Year in Search report for 2025 has unveiled a fascinating snapshot of India's changing culinary landscape, highlighting the ten foods that captured the nation's curiosity. The list presents a unique blend of traditional Indian festival sweets, regional specialties, and globally inspired cocktails, reflecting a year where social media and evolving cooking habits significantly influenced what people wanted to cook and consume.
A Diverse Palette of Curiosity
The 2025 list is a testament to India's diverse culinary interests. It seamlessly bridges the gap between deep-rooted tradition and modern, global influences. On one hand, searches surged for festive staples like Modak (Ukadiche Modak), the steamed sweet dumpling offered during Ganesh Chaturthi, and Thekua, the crunchy, jaggery-sweetened snack from Bihar and Jharkhand essential for Chhath Puja. Similarly, Ugadi Pachadi, the symbolic Telugu New Year dish blending six flavours, and Thirvathirai Kali, a festive sweet from Tamil Nadu, featured prominently.
Conversely, the list also showcases a strong appetite for international and contemporary items. The Pornstar Martini, a modern cocktail combining vodka and passion fruit, secured a surprising spot, indicating a growing interest in mixology and global bar culture. Britain's Yorkshire Pudding, a classic side to roast dinners, also piqued the interest of Indian netizens, likely driven by cooking shows and online recipe videos.
Health, Heritage, and Home Cooking
Beyond trends, the list reveals a continued focus on health-conscious and heritage ingredients. Beetroot Kanji, the tangy North Indian fermented drink praised for its probiotic benefits, saw high search volumes. Gond Katira, an edible gum that turns jelly-like when soaked and is used in summer coolers and desserts, also trended, pointing towards a search for natural food additives and traditional cooling agents.
The enduring popularity of everyday staples was reaffirmed with Idli topping the list, underscoring its status as a beloved, healthful breakfast option across the country. Meanwhile, Kolukattai, the versatile South Indian steamed dumpling, highlighted the search for festive yet homemade snack ideas.
Google's report underscores how social media platforms and online recipe communities have become powerful engines for culinary discovery. The rapid virality of certain dishes, cooking techniques, and ingredients online directly translates into search spikes, painting a real-time picture of the nation's evolving palate and kitchen experiments throughout the year.
