Chapati (bread)

Chapati is a simple unleavened (no yeast or rising agent) flatbread made from whole-wheat flour (atta), water, and salt, rolled thin and cooked on a hot griddle (tawa). It is one of the most fundamental everyday breads in Indian cuisine.

History & cultural background

Chapati has ancient roots, dating back thousands of years, tied to:

• Wheat cultivation in North India

• Hearth-based cooking

• Agrarian daily meals

Because wheat thrived in the fertile northern plains, chapati became the daily bread of the region, eaten by all communities and social classes. Unlike richer breads, it was valued for being economical, nutritious and quick to prepare

Chapati was never ceremonial food — it was, and remains, everyday sustenance.

Whilst it originated in the North, it is now enjoyed all over India.