THE CHANGING FAUJI PALATE....A VETERAN'S REMINISCENCES !!
Times have changed and so have our tastes.
The smoked meats & Salmon have given way to Dal Makhani and Butter chicken.
Dinner rolls/Garlic Bread to Naan/Roomali Roti.
Eggs, bacon and coffee breakfast are equally at home with Allu-Puri or Allu Paratha & Chai !!
The drinking palate has also changed.......
Black Knight/Solan No1/Peter Scot have made way for Glenfiddich and other single malts.
What is more is that Yera & Borosil glasses have made way for Crystal whiskey glasses...
There has been a paradigm shift in our Fauji taste buds & style.
While the Indianisation of our eating habits is understandable , not so understandable is the shift towards single malts from Scotland.
Possibly easy availability could be a big factor.
As the imported Scotches dried up 'Black Knight'(Mohan Meakins) ruled the roost, till 'Red Knight'(Khodays) took over, only to be pushed back by 'Solan No 1' from the Mohan Meakin stables.
Khodays jumped back into the fray with their "Peter Scot'.
Both, Solan No 1 & Peter Scot had their faithful supporters. Gradually, Peter Scot ruled the Fauji hearts, till blended Scotches began their bottling in India.
Royal Stag, Blenders Pride, 100 Pipers came through Seagram's venture and still rule many hearts. Finally, the single malts who made a late appearance.
Today many Faujis turn away from blended scotches and reach out for the "Glenfiddich or Glenlivet" bottle.
The whiskey drinkers have moved on quite some distance.
However, the journey of the molasses connoisseur has been more restrictive.
Rum has its loyal followers, and i know a few.
Hercules XXX made way for Sea Pirate, both from the Khoday's.
Why Hercules went out i will never know, but it did.
However, the wood matured "Old Monk' from Mohan Meakins has remained and continues to remain an all time favorite of Rum drinkers.
Some time back there was news that Old Monk was to be discontinued and the social media was flooded with requests that Old Monk be allowed to live on !
And it does live on much to the delight of rum Connoisseurs.
The Beers have also seen a changed profile in the Fauj.
Good old Golden Eagle fell from grace under the weight of Kingfisher, which continues on top.
Rosy Pelican,Guru, Haywards and some others came and went. Now the frothing Fosters, Corona, Heineken & Budweiser are equally in favour as is the Kingfisher.
The ever green Truffle Pudding, KingGeorge V Pudding, Caramel Custards, Souffles, have been swept away by the Rabri, Kheer and Raas Malai. Just as well !
That in nutshell is the changed spread one can encounter in the Army Officer Messes today !!
ON THAT HAPPY NOTE SEASONS VERY BEST GREETINGS TO ONE & ALL...CHEERS !!