Snippets of Information
Food / Herbs
* 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
* 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
* 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.
|
