The Surprisingly Strict Practices of Hare Krishna

This one surprises a lot of people: Hare Krishnas avoid onion and garlic in their meals. Not because of allergies or taste — they believe these ingredients can make the mind restless or overly stimulated. So cooking focuses on gentler flavors like ginger, turmeric, and fresh herbs.

Most devotees say they don’t miss them after a while. The dishes are fragrant, colorful, and comforting in a different way. Removing onion and garlic actually teaches people to cook more creatively, and many end up loving the clean, balanced flavors that come out of it.