A 5-part series on how to infuse food into poetry to make it rich, sensory, and evocative
“Food is memory. Food is language. Food is love made visible.”
— Anonymous
When I decided to write about food, I didn’t just want to describe flavours or list recipes in verse. I wanted to explore how food — in all its textures, smells, and tastes — can unlock something deeper in poetry: memory, longing, tenderness, even defiance.
In Indian aesthetics, there are six core tastes — sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent, and astringent. For this series, I’ve chosen to focus on the first five — the ones most familiar to our everyday palate and rich with poetic potential.
That’s how Pancha Rasa – Poetry on the Plate was born — a five-part series where I:
- Share a poem I’ve written, each inspired by one of the five rasas
- Reflect on the emotions and imagery each taste evokes
- Offer writing prompts drawn from the world of food
- Share poetic tips to help you craft verses that simmer with sensory detail
This isn’t just a celebration of food — it’s a gentle invitation to write poetry that’s textured, layered, and full of feeling.
Each rasa is a way to feel. And each feeling is a poem waiting to be cooked.
Madhura (Sweet) – evokes love, affection, nostalgia
Amla (Sour) – brings out awakening, change, surprise
Lavana (Salty) – carries groundedness, belonging, intimacy
Tikta (Bitter) – uncovers truth, reflection, discomfort
Katu (Pungent) – sparks energy, desire, transformation
So pull up a chair. Let’s stir, spill, taste, and write — together.
Who This Is For
This is for:
- Poets who want to write from real life
- Food lovers who sense stories in every spice box
- Readers who enjoy slow, sensory writing
- Anyone who has ever been fed with more than food
Whether you’re a beginner or a practiced writer, this series will give you prompts, craft tips, and poetic inspiration. You’ll also find:
- A poem by me
- A short analysis
- Poetry writing tips
- A writing prompt for you
Why Food?
Because food is never neutral.
It tells us where we came from.
Who we loved.
What we lost.
What we’re not allowed to say directly, we often serve through taste.
Poetry lets us name the unsaid — and food becomes the perfect vehicle for that truth.
Let’s Cook, Let’s Write
I invite you to read, reflect, and write a poem and share with me.
This isn’t just a blog series. It’s a table. Come sit with me. Bring your flavor. Let’s write what’s simmering inside.
You can find the poems here:
Written as part of the #BlogchatterFoodFest