Snippets of Information
Food / Herbs
* 30 May 2022
In different parts of the world, several types of basil are cultivated,
some of the widely used varieties can be categorized in two groups -
holy basil (ocimum sanctum) and mediterranean basil (ocimum basilicum).
Holy basil
It is known as Tulsi and is the most revered houseplant, in India
it is associated with ayurveda and hindu religion as goddess of wealth,
health and prosperity. The plants have strong medicinal properties
compared to second group species. There are several varieties popular
based on the regional religious beliefs which are known by a several
vernacular and common names such as in Sanskrit it is named as Rama
Tulsi and Krishna Tulsi, in Malayalam it is called Trittavu, in Marathi
as Tulshi, Tulasi in Tamil, Thulsi in Telugu and Holy Basil in English.
Not to be confused with Ocimum Tenuiflorum, it is a synonym for Ocimum
Sanctum. There 4 species popular of Holy basil:
1. Rama tulsi (ocimum sanctum)
2. Krishna tulsi (ocimum tenuiflorum)
3. Amrita tulsi (ocimum tenuiflorum)
4. Vana tulsi (ocimum gratissum)
Mediterranean basil
It is known as Sweet basil and is the most popular variety of basil
which is found all over the world including Asia, Eurpe, America and
Africa. It is most consumed herb world wide and known by several common
names such as king of herbs, royal herb, great basil and
Saint-Joseph’s-wort etc, it is used in culinary preparations and used in
several types of popular cuisines like Italian, Thai etc.
5. Sweet basil (ocimum basilicum)
6. Thai basil (ocimum thyrsiflora)
7. Purple basil (ocimum basilicum)
8. Lemon basil (ocimum citriodorum)
9. Vietnamese basil (ocimum cinnamon)
10. American basil (ocimum americanum)
11. African blue basil (ocimum kilimandscharicum)
12. Italian genovese basil (ocimum basilicum)
13. Lettuce basil
14. Green ruffles basil
15. Cardinal basil
16. Greek basil
17. Spicy globe basil
18. Summer long basil
Source: mashrita.com
* 25 Aug 2021
Tulsi plant or Holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum)
Tulsi is considered sacred and most Hindu households with a backyard
have a Tulai Maadam and offer daily prayers. It also has great
medicianal value.
Green type (Sri Tulsi) and Purple type (Krishna Tulsi).
Tulsi has been used in Ayurveda for its diverse healing properties. Tulsi,
the Queen of herbs, the legendary 'Incomparable one' of India, is one
of the holiest and most cherished. The sacred basil, Tulsi, is renowned
for its religious and spiritual sanctity, as well as for its important
role in the traditional Ayurvedic and Unani system of holistic health
and herbal medicine of the East. It is mentioned by Charaka in the
Charaka Samhita; an Ayurvedic text. Tulsi is considered to be an
adaptogen, balancing different processes in the body, and helpful for
adapting to stress. Marked by its strong aroma and astringent taste, it
is regarded in Ayurveda as a kind of 'elixir of life' and believed to
promote longevity. Tulsi extracts are used in Ayurvedic remedies for
common colds, headaches, stomach disorders, inflammation, heart disease,
various forms of poisoning and malaria and is taken in many forms, as
herbal tea, dried power or fresh leaf. For centuries, the dried leaves
of Tulsi have been mixed with stored grains to repel insects.
Source: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Read more at swayamkatha.wordpress.com
* 2 Dec 2021
Nakul Dana
These sugar balls distributed as prasad in several temples is also known
as Sakariya, Chironji Dana, Elaichi Dana or Mimosa sugar balls.
A centrifuge machine is used to transform sugar syrup into balls. They
can be used in several recipes as alternate to sugar and also for
decorating.
Source: tarladalal.com, image - youtube
* 17 Nov 2021
Udupi hotels
This is not a chain of restaurants owned by any single person or institution.
Sri Krishna temple in Udupi was founded by Shri Madhvacharya, proponent
of the Dvaita (dualism) school of Vedanta in the 13th century. At
this temple, annadhanam was a regular practice. The cooks who were very
particular in their hygiene and cooking process, in course of time moved
to different parts of the country such as Chennai, Mumbai and opened up
hotels, which came to be known as Udupi hotels. They had several
specialised recipes but the most popular dishes are their masla dosas,
vadas and unique sambar.
* 1 Oct 2021
"More than just a fruit, mangoes are revealed as a symbol of fertility
and picking them from trees as the ultimate princely pastime. "The sweet
and delicious mango has always been the favourite fruit in history, as
it is now. Shah Jahan had his mangoes from the Konkan coast couriered
regularly to the imperial kitchens in Delhi while his grandfather Akbar
had a mango grove, Laakhibagh in Darbhanga specially planted with a
hundred thousand choice mango trees," note the creators of Arts of
Hindostan, as they put together a selection of artworks from Mughal
Lucknow and Farrukhabad schools, the Rajput schools at Bundi and
Bikaner, the early Deccan school at Golconda and the Company School at
Calcutta, spread across three centuries."
Source: architecturaldigest.in
* 1-2 Sep 2021
Mango varieties in India
Alphonsos, Amrapali, Badami, Banganapalli,
Bombay Green mangoes,
Chausa,
Dashehari,
Fazli,
Gulab Khaas,
Hapus,
Himsagar,
Imam Pasand,
Kalapadi,
Kesar,
Kilichundan, Lakshmanbhog, Langra,
Malda,
Mallika,
Mankurad,
Mulgova,
Neelam,
Paheri/Pairi,
Raspuri,
Ratnagiri,
Rumani,
Safeda,
Sindhura, Totapuri,
Vanraj.
More details on region and quality
Source: mangoesmumbai.com ; holidify.com ; timesofindia.indiatimes.com ; gardendiary.info
* Jul 2021
Herbs associated with the Pancha Boothams
Land (Nilam in Tamil) - Arugampul (arugam grass)
Water (Neer in Tamil) - Maavilai (mango leaf)
Fire (Neruppu in Tamil) - Vaazhai ilai (banana leaf)
Wind (katru in Tamil) - Vepilai (neem leaf)
Sky (Agaayam in Tamil) - Vetrilai (Paan leaf)
* Jul 2021
Amla
Amla is Indian gooseberry (Emblica officinalis) (Nellikai, nellikani in
Tamil), a fruit found mainly in India. It is a greenish yellow fibrous
fruit about an inch or two in diameter, round shaped with vertical
stripes. It simultaneously tastes sweet & sour. It is rich in
natural vitamin C. It is used in making ayurvedic medicines, tonics for
it has several positive qualities - cooling, diuretic and laxative
properties, strengthens teeth and bones, antioxidant and
antibacterial properties. It aids in maintaining clear skin &
healthy growth of hair. It is eaten raw with salt and is also used to
make pickles.
* Jul 2021
Mango Day
The U.S. India Business Council in Washington, D.C. played host to the
first-ever 'Mango Day' celebrations on the arrival of Indian mangoes to
the U.S., after a gap of 18 years. The first mangoes arrived at the John
F. Kennedy Airport in New York. But the big welcome party occurred in
the nation's capital.
Reference: voanews.com
*
Jul 2021
Condiments and Nuts
|
English
|
Tamil
| | Aniseed
| Sombu
| | Asafoetida
| Perungayam
| | Almonds
| Badam Parappu
| | Arrow Root
| Koovak Kilangu
| | Bay Leaf
| Punnai Ilai
| | Black Pepper
| Milagu
| | Cardamom
| Yelakkai
| | Cinnamom
| Pattai
| | Cloves
| Lavangam
| | Coriander Seeds
| Vara Kothamali
| | Cumin Seeds
| Jeeragam
| | Curry Leaves
| Kariveppilai
| | Cashew Nuts
| Mundhiri
| | Dry Ginger
| Sukku
| | Femmel
| Perunjeeragam
| | Feenugreek
| Vendhayam
| | Garlic
| Vellai Poondu
| | Ginger
| Ingi
| | Groundnuts / Peanuts
| Verkadalai
| | Jaggery
| Vellam
| | Lemon Rind
| Yelumichai Thol
| | Mace
| Jadhipathiri
| | Mango Powder
| Mangai Podi
| | Mustard
| Kadugu
| | Nutmeg
| Jadhikkai
| | Poppy Seeds
| Kasa Kasa
| | Roasted Gram
| Pottu Kadali
| | Red Chillies
| Sigappu Milagai
| | Raisins
| Ularndha Dhirakshai
| | Rice Flakes
| Arisi Avial
| | Sesame Seeds
| Ellu
| | Saffron
| Kungumapoo
| | Sugar Candy
| Kalkandu
| | Tamrind
| Puli
| | Turmeric Powder
| Manjal Podi
| | Tymol Seeds
| Omam
|
* Jul 2021
Jhavvaadhu powder is a perfume made out of a blend of sandal wood powder, sandal wood oil and floral extracts.
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