Cuisine thumb|A traditional meal served on a banana leaf Rice is the diet staple and is served with sambar, rasam, and poriyal as a part of a Tamil meal. Coconut and spices are used extensively in Tamil cuisine. The region has a rich cuisine involving both traditional non-vegetarian and vegetarian dishes made of rice, legumes, and lentils with its distinct aroma and flavour achieved by the blending of flavourings and spices. The traditional way of eating a meal involves being seated on the floor, having the food served on a banana leaf, and using clean fingers of the right hand to take the food into the mouth. After the meal, the fingers are washed; the easily degradable banana leaf is discarded or becomes fodder for cattle. Eating on banana leaves is a custom thousands of years old, imparts a unique flavor to the food, and is considered healthy. Idli, dosa, uthappam, pongal, and paniyaram are popular breakfast dishes in Tamil Nadu. Palani Panchamirtham, Ooty varkey, Kovilpatti Kadalai Mittai, Manapparai Murukku and Srivilliputhur Palkova are unique foods that have been recognised as Geographical Indications.
cuisine thumb|a traditional meal served on a banana leaf rice is the diet staple and is served with sambar rasam and poriyal as a part of a tamil meal coconut and spices are used extensively in tamil cuisine the region has a rich cuisine involving both traditional non-vegetarian and vegetarian dishes made of rice legumes and lentils with its distinct aroma and flavour achieved by the blending of flavourings and spices the traditional way of eating a meal involves being seated on the floor having the food served on a banana leaf and using clean fingers of the right hand to take the food into the mouth after the meal the fingers are washed; the easily degradable banana leaf is discarded or becomes fodder for cattle eating on banana leaves is a custom thousands of years old imparts a unique flavor to the food and is considered healthy idli dosa uthappam pongal and paniyaram are popular breakfast dishes in tamil nadu palani panchamirtham ooty varkey kovilpatti kadalai mittai manapparai murukku and srivilliputhur palkova are unique foods that have been recognised as geographical indications