Why Is Groundnut Oil So Popular for Cooking in Maharashtra?
Groundnut oil has a special place in many Maharashtrian kitchens. From everyday cooking to festive preparations, it has been used for generations. Its popularity is not simply a matter of habit. Local agriculture, food traditions, familiar taste, and traditional cooking practices have all contributed to its long-standing place in Maharashtra’s food culture. Why Is Groundnut Oil So Popular in Maharashtra? Food traditions often develop around crops that are locally available. Just as coconut oil is closely associated with Kerala and mustard oil with parts of eastern India, groundnut oil has traditionally been widely used in Maharashtra. Groundnuts have long been cultivated in the region, making them an important part of local food culture. In the past, oil was commonly extracted in traditional ghani mills in villages. This local availability helped groundnut oil become a regular part of household cooking and pass from one generation to the next. Today, although many cooking oils are avai...