get their hands dirty, in the belief that it heightens the sensual connection to food and softens the formality of fine dining. I hadn't eaten curry dishes wit

get their hands dirty, in the belief that it heightens the sensual connection to food and softens the formality of fine dining. I hadn't eaten curry dishes with my hands or known that it was a common practice until my mid twenties. Since that point I have rarely used utensils for those dishes. Here is why: Some cultures serve three or four different curries with each meal. Eating with your hand gives greater control mixing the flavours together and so improves the experience. I can eat the same four curries as my neighbour but we will both experience different tastes, because our mixing technique is unique. I have tried eating from the hand of a friend and compared it to my own and the taste difference was stunning. It was like we were eating a different version of the same meal. Try it out next time you are presented with three or more curries, the only rule is to not dirty your hand above the first knuckle and certainly keep your palm clean. Enjoy.