What’s in your spice collection? And how long has it been there? Even confident home chefs can feel intimidated when it comes to cooking with spices. Sure, we regularly summon familiar favorites into culinary action. But are they favorites because they’re familiar?

Meanwhile, turmeric, cardamom, fenugreek, and other spices may languish in a cupboard, their magic wasting away, if we’re not sure how to use them.

Cue Nistha to the rescue. The India-born, Berlin-based chef (whose name in Sanskrit means “trust”) helps people around the world spice things up—from everyday cooking and eating to their health and even how they learn.

Oh, I see: Inspired by the Indian tradition of cooking with spice, Nistha Trehun is on a mission to enhance our appreciation of food in general.

Kitty in the Kitchen

As with many chefs, Nistha’s fascination with cooking began early. Growing up in northern India, she lived in a 20-room house with her extended family and a kitchen that offered the lively appeal and rich aromas of a restaurant.

“When I was really young, I used to tell my mom, ‘I want to cut onions,’ and she would give me a very small knife, not that sharp. I would have tears the whole time, but still I wanted to cut them.”

Despite her keen interest, “Kitty,” as her family called her, was mostly kept out of the kitchen, as were the other children. Why?

“In [my mom’s] generation, parents always wanted the girls to learn cooking. But while I was growing up times had changed, and for my parents, education became the only thing that mattered. So, I studied. A lot.”

Nistha’s discipline earned her a gold medal, graduation at the top of her class, and a degree in business administration.

“In my college, everybody would say, ‘I want to be an engineer or a doctor.’ And I was saying, ‘I want to open a culinary business and name it The Kitty Party.’”

Today, The Kitty Party is a flourishing, moveable feast that mirrors Nistha’s love of travel. She actually launched the business in South Korea when she and her husband transferred there for work. She quickly fell in love with Seoul. “I went walking every day and know every street in the city.”

So Many Questions

As her in-person culinary events proved popular with locals and travelers alike, a common theme emerged.

“People had so many questions about spices! Because it was my first time out of India, that came as a surprise to me.” Until then, Nistha had assumed that everybody grew up with daily exposure to the traditions and techniques of cooking with spices.

For example, many people know cumin as a powder that they sprinkle, last minute, into Western adaptations of cross-cultural dishes. But in India, cumin is so much more—a virtuoso seed that produces numerous flavors depending on its origin and variety, and how it is stored, heated, crushed, milled, measured, and combined.

Nistha also discovered that she loved answering people’s questions. Combining scholarly drive with her passion for spices, she redoubled her research and experimentation and set out to share her mission: “To teach that whatever your style is, whatever your taste, you can still use spices in your own cooking. You do not need to cook Indian for that.”

Spices, she says, are something that everybody should eat, not because they’re Indian, but because they are healthy. And she enjoys dispelling misconceptions about spices, such as the notion that “spicy” always equals heat.

“People often assume that by spices, I mean chilies, but there are also many spices that help preserve the flavor of food.”

After Seoul, Nistha, her husband, and The Kitty Party, moved to their current home in Berlin. When the pandemic put customer foot traffic on pause, Nistha didn’t miss a beat. She simply moved the party online.

Nicknamed “The Dancing Chef,” she enlivens her online events with dance breaks and personal stories. Recently, she hosted a celebration of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, with students who logged on from Mexico.

Worldwide Spice Advice? Nice!

This combination of cultural tradition, culinary insight, and sheer fun has made Nistha a top-rated presenter on Airbnb Online Experiences.

Her audience represents almost every continent. It includes couples and college students new to cooking, families enjoying togetherness across time zones, Fortune 500 employees engaged in team building, travelers from Brazil to Taiwan to Kuwait, professional chefs across Europe, and even a chef’s assistant from Antarctica.

Nistha’s events cover a wide range, too. Students can opt to cook a full meal, prepare traditional Indian beverages or desserts, or explore a single seasoning. Or, under Nistha’s guidance, they may combine spices they already have with foods so simple (bread, cucumber, a steamed vegetable) that anyone can easily participate.

“People are especially fascinated by turmeric, but often have no idea how to use it,” says Nistha.

She recalls the man who kept turmeric in his cupboard for 17 years because it seemed too precious to use. The woman whose friends believed turmeric pills and health drinks could substitute for foods. The people who bought chain-store lattes sprinkled with turmeric and were disappointed with the taste.

Nistha smiles. “You can’t just sprinkle on turmeric. It needs to be gently heated in good fat for a few seconds to release curcumin, a powerful anti-inflammatory. This also removes bitterness. In India, people call turmeric a ‘holy spice’ because it helps keep disease at bay.”

As for subbing supplements for food, Nistha wonders why anyone would deny themselves the social practice, celebration, and sensory experience of cooking and sharing a good meal.

“When we eat something, we are not just mechanically satisfying our nutritional need like an appliance charging its battery. We smell the aroma, see the colors, feel the textures, and most important of all we satisfy our tastebuds.”

Nistha also emphasizes that cooking with spice from the Indian subcontinent does not apply only to recipes based on Indian tradition. After all, she says, people who like olive oil don’t use it only for Italian food.

“I’m not here to teach you complicated menus. I want to teach the power of each ingredient.” What you cook, she says, can be as simple as a one-pot meal.

In short, any day’s the right day to spice up your life. Says Nistha, “We can’t afford to lose these small pleasures of life if we want to thrive as humans.”

$\"Nistha$

Live from Berlin, Nistha shares the art and science of spices with people around the world.
\u00a9 Nistha Trehun, The Kitty Party<\/p><\/div>\n

Nistha’s Top Ingredient: Indian Tradition<\/h2>\n
What\u2019s in your<\/em> spice collection? And how long has it been there? Even confident home chefs can feel intimidated when it comes to cooking with spices. Sure, we regularly summon familiar favorites into culinary action. But are they favorites because<\/em> they\u2019re familiar?<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, turmeric, cardamom, fenugreek, and other spices may languish in a cupboard, their magic wasting away, if we\u2019re not sure how to use them.<\/p>\n
Cue Nistha to the rescue. The India-born, Berlin-based chef (whose name in Sanskrit means \u201ctrust\u201d) helps people around the world spice things up\u2014from everyday cooking and eating to their health and even how they learn.<\/p>\n
Oh, I see:<\/strong> Inspired by the Indian tradition of cooking with spice, Nistha Trehun is on a mission to enhance our appreciation of food in general.<\/p>\n
$\"An$
Beyond bottled lookalikes: Spices reflect a rich variety of form and function.
Veganamente<\/span><\/a>\/ Pixabay<\/p><\/div>\n
Kitty in the Kitchen<\/h4>\n
As with many chefs, Nistha’s fascination with cooking began early. Growing up in northern India, she lived in a 20-room house with her extended family and a kitchen that offered the lively appeal and rich aromas of a restaurant.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I was really young, I used to tell my mom, \u2018I want to cut onions,\u2019 and she would give me a very small knife, not that sharp. I would have tears the whole time, but still I wanted to cut them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite her keen interest, \u201cKitty,\u201d as her family called her, was mostly kept out of the kitchen, as were the other children. Why?<\/p>\n
\u201cIn [my mom\u2019s] generation, parents always wanted the girls to learn cooking. But while I was growing up times had changed, and for my parents, education became the only thing that mattered. So, I studied. A lot.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nistha\u2019s discipline earned her a gold medal, graduation at the top of her class, and a degree in business administration.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn my college, everybody would say, \u2018I want to be an engineer or a doctor.\u2019 And I was saying, \u2018I want to open a culinary business and name it The Kitty Party.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Today, The Kitty Party is a flourishing, moveable feast that mirrors Nistha\u2019s love of travel. She actually launched the business in South Korea when she and her husband transferred there for work. She quickly fell in love with Seoul.\u00a0 \u201cI went walking every day and know every street in the city.\u201d<\/p>\n
$\"A$
With on-site classes like this on pause, Nistha creates hands-on experiences online.
\u00a9 Nistha Trehun, The Kitty Party<\/p><\/div>\n
So Many Questions<\/h4>\n
As her in-person culinary events proved popular with locals and travelers alike, a common theme emerged.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople had so many questions about spices! Because it was my first time out of India, that came as a surprise to me.\u201d Until then, Nistha had assumed that everybody grew up with daily exposure to the traditions and techniques of cooking with spices.<\/p>\n
For example, many people know cumin as a powder that they sprinkle, last minute, into Western adaptations of cross-cultural dishes. But in India, cumin is so much more\u2014a virtuoso seed that produces numerous flavors depending on its origin and variety, and how it is stored, heated, crushed, milled, measured, and combined.<\/p>\n
$\"A$
“Combining spice with another ingredient builds dimensions of flavor that did not exist before.”
\u00a9 Nistha Trehun, The Kitty Party<\/p><\/div>\n
Nistha also discovered that she loved answering people\u2019s questions. Combining scholarly drive with her passion for spices, she redoubled her research and experimentation and set out to share her mission: \u201cTo teach that whatever your style is, whatever your taste, you can still use spices in your own cooking. You do not need to cook Indian for that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Spices, she says, are something that everybody should eat, not because they’re Indian, but because they are healthy. And she enjoys dispelling misconceptions about spices, such as the notion that \u201cspicy\u201d always equals heat.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople often assume that by spices, I mean chilies, but there are also many spices that help preserve the flavor of food.\u201d<\/p>\n
After Seoul, Nistha, her husband, and The Kitty Party, moved to their current home in Berlin. When the pandemic put customer foot traffic on pause, Nistha didn\u2019t miss a beat. She simply moved the party online.<\/p>\n
Nicknamed \u201cThe Dancing Chef,\u201d she enlivens her online events with dance breaks and personal stories. Recently, she hosted a celebration of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, with students who logged on from Mexico.<\/p>\n
$\"Nistha$
“This is my turmeric shirt.” Nishta invites students to wear their favorite spice colors.
\u00a9 Nistha Trehun, The Kitty Party<\/p><\/div>\n
Worldwide Spice Advice? Nice!<\/h4>\n
This combination of cultural tradition, culinary insight, and sheer fun has made Nistha a top-rated presenter on Airbnb Online Experiences.<\/p>\n
Her audience represents almost every continent. It includes couples and college students new to cooking, families enjoying togetherness across time zones, Fortune 500 employees engaged in team building, travelers from Brazil to Taiwan to Kuwait, professional chefs across Europe, and even a chef\u2019s assistant from Antarctica.<\/p>\n
Nistha\u2019s events cover a wide range, too. Students can opt to cook a full meal, prepare traditional Indian beverages or desserts, or explore a single seasoning. Or, under Nistha’s guidance, they may combine spices they already have with foods so simple (bread, cucumber, a steamed vegetable) that anyone can easily participate.<\/p>\n
Regardless of topic, unlocking the power of spice always takes center stage.<\/p>\n
$\"A$
Star anise and edible flowers garnish an elegant turmeric latte.
\u00a9 Nistha Trehun, The Kitty Party<\/p><\/div>\n
\u201cPeople are especially fascinated by turmeric, but often have no idea how to use it,” says Nistha.<\/p>\n
She recalls the man who kept turmeric in his cupboard for 17 years because it seemed too precious to use. The woman whose friends believed turmeric pills and health drinks could substitute for foods. The people who bought chain-store lattes sprinkled with turmeric and were disappointed with the taste.<\/p>\n
Nistha smiles. \u201cYou can\u2019t just sprinkle on turmeric. It needs to be gently heated in good fat for a few seconds to release curcumin<\/em>, a powerful anti-inflammatory. This also removes bitterness. In India, people call turmeric a ‘holy spice’ because it helps keep disease at bay.”<\/p>\n
As for subbing supplements for food, Nistha wonders why anyone would deny themselves the social practice, celebration, and sensory experience of cooking and sharing a good meal.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we eat something, we are not just mechanically satisfying our nutritional need like an appliance charging its battery. We smell the aroma, see the colors, feel the textures, and most important of all we satisfy our tastebuds.\u201d<\/p>\n
$\"A$ Nistha’s new recipe booklet<\/span><\/a> is a tribute to her favorite Indian spices.
\u00a9 Nistha Trehun, The Kitty Party<\/p><\/div>\n
Nistha also emphasizes that cooking with spice from the Indian subcontinent does not apply only to recipes based on Indian tradition. After all, she says, people who like olive oil don\u2019t use it only for Italian food.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not here to teach you complicated menus. I want to teach the power of each ingredient.\u201d What you cook, she says, can be as simple as a one-pot meal.<\/p>\n
In short, any day\u2019s the right day to spice up your life. Says Nistha, \u201cWe can\u2019t afford to lose these small pleasures of life if we want to thrive as humans.\u201d<\/p>\n
$\"Nistha$
Need a “seasonal” gift with lasting appeal? Click here<\/a><\/span>.
\u00a9 Joyce McGreevy<\/p><\/div>\n
Follow Nistha on Instagram<\/span><\/a> and Facebook<\/span><\/a>. Explore The Kitty Party her<\/span>e<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Comment<\/a> on the post below, or inspire insight with your own OIC Moment here.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":null,"protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":39245,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[99,214,250],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-39214","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-heritage-culture","category-india-mappoints","category-chefs-creative"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oh-i-see.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39214","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oh-i-see.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oh-i-see.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oh-i-see.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oh-i-see.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=39214"}],"version-history":[{"count":57,"href":"https:\/\/www.oh-i-see.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39214\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":39294,"href":"https:\/\/www.oh-i-see.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39214\/revisions\/39294"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oh-i-see.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/39245"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oh-i-see.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=39214"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oh-i-see.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=39214"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oh-i-see.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=39214"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}