A land of contrasts

India is an incredibly varied country, both geographically and climatically, from the mighty snow-clad Himalayas in the extreme north to the wonderfully fertile flatlands of the Indus and Ganges rivers, and the dry and sandy wastes of the deserts of Rajasthan. In rural areas the daily diet is governed by what grows locally, but in cities and towns, where people from all parts of India converge, there is a greater range of ingredients and the food there reflects both the diversity of the population and the wealth of choice.