Goa

The tiny state of Goa, popularly known as ‘Golden Goa’ and ‘Pearl of the Orient', lies on the southern edge of west India. A rich tapestry of cultures, it has been ruled historically by Hindus, Muslims, Portuguese Christians, and the British.

The lure of Indian spices and silks brought the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama to this part of India, and the Portuguese established an eastern empire for themselves with Goa as the central state. Although local ingredients such as fish and coconut predominate, Goa’s cuisine reflects the influence of European culture, with dishes such as Portuguese Pullao and the now ubiquitous vindaloo, a term for a spicy pork dish that originally derived from the Portuguese words for ‘vinegar’ and ‘garlic'.