Curry Quiz

National Curry Week is the ideal time to enjoy the nation's favourite food with friends and family.  Test your curry knowledge with our fun quiz!  From the origins of curry dishes to the history of spices in the UK, test your knowledge and see how much you know about the nation's favourite cuisine!

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1. When was curry powder first introduced to the UK?

• A) 1600
• B) 1747
• C) 1850
• D) 1905

Answer: B) 1747
Fun Fact: Curry powder was first introduced in the UK when it appeared in Hannah Glasse’s famous cookbook "The Art of Cookery Made Plain and Easy", published in 1747.

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2. What is the oldest recorded use of spices in history?

• A) 2,000 years ago
• B) 3,500 years ago
• C) 6,000 years ago
• D) 9,000 years ago

Answer: C) 6,000 years ago
Fun Fact: Garlic and mustard seeds were used as far back as 6,000 years ago, making the spice trade one of the earliest and most significant industries.

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3. Chicken Tikka Masala is often considered a "British" curry. Where is it believed to have been invented?

• A) Mumbai, India
• B) Glasgow, Scotland
• C) Birmingham, England
• D) New Delhi, India

Answer: B) Glasgow, Scotland
Fun Fact: Chicken Tikka Masala is said to have been created in the 1970s in Glasgow when a chef added tomato soup and spices to Chicken Tikka at a customer’s request for gravy.

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4. What curry dish is nicknamed the "national dish of Britain" due to its immense popularity?

• A) Rogan Josh
• B) Chicken Korma
• C) Chicken Tikka Masala
• D) Lamb Vindaloo

Answer: C) Chicken Tikka Masala
Fun Fact: Chicken Tikka Masala was declared "Britain’s true national dish" by Foreign Secretary Robin Cook in 2001, symbolizing its cultural importance.

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5. What spice is known as the “Queen of Spices”?

• A) Cumin
• B) Black Pepper
• C) Cardamom
• D) Saffron

Answer: C) Cardamom
Fun Fact: Cardamom, used in both sweet and savory dishes, is known for its versatility and value. Its use dates back over 4,000 years.

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6. Vindaloo is a spicy curry enjoyed in the UK. From which country does this dish originally come?

• A) Portugal
• B) India
• C) Pakistan
• D) Sri Lanka

Answer: A) Portugal
Fun Fact: Vindaloo originated from a Portuguese dish called "Carne de Vinha d'Alhos," which Goan cooks later adapted with Indian spices.

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7. Which spice gives traditional curry its vibrant yellow color?

• A) Coriander
• B) Turmeric
• C) Saffron
• D) Cumin

Answer: B) Turmeric
Fun Fact: Turmeric is the spice responsible for the yellow hue in many curries and also offers anti-inflammatory properties.

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8. The word “curry” is thought to come from the Tamil word “kari.” What does “kari” mean?

• A) Soup
• B) Stew
• C) Gravy
• D) Spice

Answer: C) Gravy
Fun Fact: "Kari" refers to a sauce or gravy typically served with rice, which the British later adapted into the word "curry."

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9. In which century did the first Indian restaurant open in the UK?

• A) 17th Century
• B) 18th Century
• C) 19th Century
• D) 20th Century

Answer: C) 19th Century
Fun Fact: The first Indian restaurant in the UK, Hindoostanee Coffee House, was opened in 1810 by Sake Dean Mahomed in London.

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10. Which British city is often dubbed the “Curry Capital” of the UK?

• A) London
• B) Leicester
• C) Birmingham
• D) Manchester

Answer: C) Birmingham
Fun Fact: Birmingham is famous for its "Balti Triangle," a hub of restaurants serving Balti-style curries.

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11. When was the first use of the word “curry” in British writing?

• A) 1500
• B) 1615
• C) 1745
• D) 1810

Answer: B) 1615
Fun Fact: The word "curry" first appeared in British writing in 1615, likely picked up from the British presence in India.

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12. What is the main ingredient in a Balti curry?

• A) Lamb
• B) Chicken
• C) Vegetables
• D) It can vary

Answer: D) It can vary
Fun Fact: Balti refers to the style of cooking rather than the ingredients, with lamb, chicken, and vegetables being common choices.

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13. Which spice is the most expensive in the world?

• A) Saffron
• B) Vanilla
• C) Cinnamon
• D) Cardamom

Answer: A) Saffron
Fun Fact: Saffron is the world’s most expensive spice due to the labor-intensive process of harvesting it from Crocus flowers.

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14. How many Indian restaurants are there in the UK today?

• A) 5,000
• B) 8,000
• C) 12,000
• D) 18,000

Answer: B) 8,000
Fun Fact: There are around 8,000 Indian restaurants in the UK, with many concentrated in cities like London and Birmingham.

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15. What spice blend is most commonly used in making a traditional "Garam Masala"?

• A) Chili, Paprika, Turmeric
• B) Coriander, Cumin, Cloves
• C) Ginger, Garlic, Fenugreek
• D) Nutmeg, Mace, Cinnamon

Answer: B) Coriander, Cumin, Cloves
Fun Fact: Garam Masala typically includes cumin, coriander, cardamom, cloves, and other warming spices. It varies across regions but always adds depth to dishes.

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Share Your Score!

How many did you get right? Share your score in the comments below or on social media using #NationalCurryWeek #spice