Britain's Indian Balti cuisine seeks EU protection

Named after a small iron or steel karaahi or wok, the first Balti is thought to have been cooked up in the Sparkhill area of Birmingham in 1977.

It is now on the menu in more than 90 per cent of Britain's curry houses.

Balti, which literally means ‘bucket' in Hindi and Urdu, led to large clusters of curry houses scattered around the Sparkhill and Moseley area of south Birminghamin the West Midlands, giving it the nickname the Balti Triangle.  

Andy Munro, an advisor to the Asian Balti Restaurant Association, said, “We've worked for a year to get it right.  It will be the first ethnic dish (to gain protection) and will be brilliant for Birmingham.”