Sweet and sour - tamarind in the kitchen and beyond

Ever heard of the Indian date? The edible one, not the one you go on to socialize. Well, that’s what Tamar Hindi derived from Arabic means. This was romanised to tamarind and is the condiment that no south Indian meal, worth its salt, can be complete without.

Today, India is the largest producer of tamarind, but this leguminous plant was originally indigenous to tropical Africa. Asian tamarind trees produce longer pods than their African cousins: each pod has 12 seeds whereas the African and West Indian varieties have short pods with only six seeds. The fruit is edible though the green pulp of the raw fruit is almost impossibly sour. As tamarind fruits ripen they get softer, a rich brown and acquire their hallmark tangy- sweet taste.

Tamarind pulp from the ripened fruit is used extensively to flavor foods in Indian cuisine. It is also used across the Middle East, the Levant and Africa in meat-based stews, mostly combined with dried fruit to add more sweetness to the tang. Across the world, it is used varyingly in cooking sorbets, ice creams, snacks and even in Worcestershire sauce.

Cooking and culinary methods and ingredients have evolved over generations of human civilization, as much for the pleasure of taste as for the benefits they bestow.      Tamarind is no exception.

Good digestive:

Tamarind has sizeable quantities of malic acid and tartaric acid and potassium bitartrate. Its sticky pulp is a rich source of fibre- 100gms of the fruit has 13% fibre. This increase bulk in food and adds to good digestion and bowel movements. The fibre also protects the colon mucus membranes. It is a mild laxative and a natural one.

Good for nausea and biliousness:

Who hasn’t heard of this stereotype – the expectant  mother popping a small ball of ripe tamarind into her mouth to fight nausea? Tamarind encourages the production of the digestive juice, bile, and encourages digestion. Its unique sweet-sour taste is great for fighting nausea. In fact, a piece of ripe tamarind in the mouth is indigenously used for fighting motion sickness- it is cheap and effective.

Rich source of essential minerals and vitamins:

Tamarind is a good source of potassium, calcium, iron, zinc and magnesium. It is rich in vitamins like thiamine, Vitamins A and C, folic acid, niacin, among others. All these are essential for the body to function optimally. For example, potassium is an important constituent of fluids in the cell and the body in general. It helps  maintain the heart rate and blood pressure. Iron is essential for the production of red blood cells.

Anti- oxidant properties:

The tartaric acid in tamarind is a rich anti-oxidant. It is also good protection for the heart and controls harmful LDL cholesterol levels.

Folk Medicine:

Tamarind is used in poultices applied to the forehead of a person suffering from fever in many Southeast Asian countries. Flowers and leaves of the tamarind tree can be added to the pulp to and applied to swollen joints for pain relief.

Beauty secret:

The pulp of tamarind is used in hair and skin care. It is used to lighten skin tone and is ideal for oily skin. It is considered a great exfoliator. Mix one teaspoon of tamarind pulp with ½ a teaspoon of turmeric and a teaspoon of honey. Apply on the face and wash off after 15 minutes. This takes care of tan, skin blemishes and is good for a smooth and even skin tone.

Thin tamarind extract can be massaged onto the scalp, allowed to soak in for half an hour and then shampooed off. This is advised to prevent hair loss.

Shine brighter:

Traditionally, Indians have always used tamarind pulp to clean articles including jewellery, made of silver. The acidic content of tamarind is good for removing the tarnish from metal objects made of brass, silver and copper which tarnish when they react with the oxygen and moisture in the air or when they come into contact with water.

Too much of a good thing:

Tamarind is highly acidic and over use is likely to damage tooth enamel. It can also cause stomach acidity and acid reflux if used excessively.

Take your pick:

Tamarind is available in the market in many forms today.

Dried tamarind is available throughout the year. Gently squeeze the packs to see if the tamarind is soft if you are buying the packaged variety. Too many seeds mean too little pulp, so beware the lumpy package. Tamarind in deep brown shades is preferable as it lends a rich colour to the dish being cooked and tends to stay fresh longer. If you need to store tamarind for a longer time, pick a medium ripe variety with shiny seeds. Store in an airtight container. Some recommend the sprinkling of a little rock salt to prevent the fruit condiment for getting dehydrated. Since ripe tamarind is picked, “husked” and dried, it tends to collect dirt.

Ripe tamarind is not just attractive to humans: it attracts insects too. So, take care to check for pest ridden products.

Choose a good brand to avoid that grit and insect pests.

Concentrates and ready to use pulp are also available.

Organic Cinnamon - More than a Nice Spice

Cinnamon is a spice obtained from the inner bark of some species of the trees.Cinnamomum. This aromatic spice can be traced back to Egypt as early as 2000 BCE where it was a prized import. Among ancient nations, Cinnamon was a highly valued gift fit for Monarchs and even Gods.

What did the ancients know? Why was cinnamon such a prized possession?

Modern studies and scientific research have actually led us full circle to why cinnamon is such a valued spice since time immemorial.

In addition, enlightened minds have clearly showed us why it is advisable to live a chemical-free life. In this world of free flowing pollutants, we must build that island of purity. Health and wellness experts advise the use of organic products to wring maximum benefits from our diets.

“Organic” must become a way of life.

God Bless You Cinnamon!

Those nasty coughs and colds are not life threatening, but make you so uncomfortable that you can’t go through a normal day. Soaking a cinnamon stick in warm water, adding a little honey and sipping this drink  few times a day helps  soothe that kitch-kitch in your throat.

Bye Bye Tummy Troubles

Cinnamon improves digestion and absorption.It is also great for soothing cramps. Try Cinnamon Tea - this can simply be organic cinnamon sticks or a little powder added to regular tea. Half a teaspoon of organic cinnamon powder added to yoghurt/curd can soothe the raw feeling that diarrhoea can give you.

Natural Anaesthetic

Cinnamon contains Cinnamaldehyde (or cinnamic aldehyde) which makes it a natural anaesthetic. Cinnamaldehyde inhibits the release of an inflammatory fatty acid from blood platelets.This makes it a great anti-inflammatory .

Cinnamon, applied topically, also helps in relieving pain in certain cases .

Half a teaspoon of organic cinnamon powder mixed in a little water to form a paste and applied to the forehead can relieve a sinus headache. Experts recommend a paste of ginger, honey and cinnamon powder to alleviate post-workout soreness and even arthritic pains.

Cinnamon is a good source of manganese which helps to build bones and other connective tissue - so helpful in osteoporosis.

Anti-Microbial and Anti-Allergic.

Terpenoids are one of the healing compounds in cinnamon.These are strongly anti-fungal and antimicrobial. Diterpenes in volatile cinnamon oil have been successfully used to fight bacteria like oral Candida (thrush). They also exhibit anti- allergic properties.

Preservative Action

The antimicrobial properties of Cinnamon also makes it a good preservative since it stops the growth of yeasts and fungi.This small spice actually combats much bigger problems.

The Heart of the Matter

Cinnamaldehyde in cinnamon has been a subject of intensive research. It has been found that it  prevents unwanted clumping together of blood platelets and has a huge potential in treating cardiovascular diseases which are essentially caused by the restricted flow of blood to and from the heart.

 Cinnamaldehyde and cinnamic acid in cinnamon also cause a reduction in triglycerides (fats in the blood), LDL cholesterol and overall cholesterol levels.This is great for a healthy heart.

Diabetes Control Too: Several studies have shown that cinnamon extracts can lower not just cholesterol, but blood glucose levels as well. A new compound from Hydroxycinnamic acid  has been isolated and dubbed an insulin potentiating factor. It enhances the secretion of insulin (the hormone that uses sugar); this results in lowering blood glucose.

This C can even fight the Big C: Cinnamaldehyde are flavonoids which give cinnamon its distinctive flavour and odour. Laboratory synthesis of these has clearly proved that they are inhibitors of angiogenesis. Simply put, angiogenesis is the growth of new blood vessels.This is what aids in the transition of tumours from the benign to the malignant.Thus, cinnamon extracts can actually aid in anti- cancer activity.

Also Boosts Brain Function: Its unique essential oils have this spicy sweet smell which enhances your mood too. It is used in aromatherapy to make one feel contented and uplifted  

Here’s one such recipe for boosting your day:

Bay Rum and Cinnamon Aftershave: Not only does this have a delightful spicy scent, it also has antibacterial properties, and  cinnamon helps stop bleeding from little nicks and cuts.

Fill a screw-top jar with dried bay leaves.

Add 2 broken cinnamon sticks and 1 tablespoon of cloves.

Pour in enough dark rum to cover the herbs

Let this mixture steep for 14 days or longer, shaking it daily. Strain through a sieve and coffee filter, bottle the liquid, and use a splash of it after shaving.

Who would have thought that this common and popular spice has so much goodness hidden in it?

You can add it to dishes like pulaos, use it in baking like in cinnamon rolls and buns, infuse it in teas.Could anything be better?

YES! Organic cinnamon for the best of the best! Double the benefits !

Organic cloves- the bountiful boon of Mother Nature

Cloves are the calyx and the unopened petals of the flower bud of Syzygium aromaticum - a tree in the family Myrtaceae. The tree is an evergreen and these aromatic flower buds are available throughout the year. They were native to the Maluku Islands in Indonesia originally, but they are an indispensable part of many different cuisines today.

Cloves-they spiced up history:

Archaeologists have found evidence that this aromatic spice was used in Syria even before 1721 BC. In the 3rd century AD, a leader of the Han dynasty insisted his subjects chew on cloves before they opened their mouths in his vicinity.

So profitable was the clove trade, that wars over the monopoly of clove production and distribution were fought in the 13th and 14th centuries!

Not sugar, but spice and all that’s nice:

The nutrients found in cloves include protein and dietary fiber. Cloves are also rich in minerals like calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, sodium and zinc. They are also a source of vitamins C, D. E, K, B6, B12 and contain riboflavin, niacin, thiamine, and folate.

That something so small can be so packed so much goodness demonstrates the power of Mother Nature.

Grandma’s remedy for a toothache:

This is probably the most commonly known fact about cloves today.This is the reason that so many toothpaste advertisements revolve around this theme.

This little flower bud is great for oral health in two ways-:

First, it contains constituents like kaempferol and oleanolic acid which fight oral infections.

Second, it acts as a good analgesic or pain reliever. In fact,clove oil is the prime constituent of a many toothache relieving products.

Cloves are used in cooking for their wonderful aroma. In addition,they are immensely good for digestion as they stimulate the secretion of digestive enzymes. They also reduce flatulence, gastric irritability, dyspepsia, and nausea.

Cloves are antimicrobials. They can help fight against serious diseases like Cholera which, in epidemic form, claim thousands of lives. Cholera is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholera which often attacks the small intestine resulting in debilitating and life-threatening diarrhea. The eugenol in cloves combats and eliminates the parasites and bacteria which trigger diarrhea.

Boosting the immune system: is an extension of the anti-microbial quality of cloves as this spice keeps infections at bay. The principle of prevention being better than cure is relevant for conserving health and boosting immunity.

Cloves for a healthy liver :The liver is the second largest organ in the human body (the largest being skin). It processes everything that we eat and drink  while filtering our blood to purify it. All this is inhibited if the liver is fatty. Studies have shown that the eugenol in cloves is beneficial for a fatty liver. Eugenol also arrests cirrhosis of the liver which might otherwise progress to fibrosis (cancer).

Cloves can fight against cancer : Cells are destroyed by the human system as a matter of course to maintain regular function and activity. This is called apoptosis. A hallmark of cancer is anti-apoptosis or the ability of cancer cells to avoid apoptosis or programmed cell deaths. Studies prove that the aqueous infusion of cloves has the ability to arrest the proliferation of cancer cells by causing cells with faulty DNA to die.

Use one or two cloves a day to keep diabetes at bay as compounds found in cloves help to increase insulin efficiency.

Clove compounds are good for heart health:

Cloves work in regulating triglycerides (or fats in the blood), LDL cholesterol and total serum cholesterol.They are also good anti- coagulants and help prevent blood clots.

Cloves are good for preserving good bone quality: as they are rich in manganese and vitamin K. Just 2 teaspoons of ground cloves covers 60% of your daily allowance of manganese.

Get rid of that headache by adding 2 drops of clove oil to a tablespoon of coconut oil and some sea salt and gently massaging this on your forehead. This is way healthier than popping a pill.

The wonderful aroma of cloves makes them a popular spice in cooking, no doubt. But cloves are used in so many other ways because of their aroma.

In Victorian England, the gift of  a fragrant pomander made of orange and cloves was considered to convey the warmth of feeling.

Clove cigarettes are popular, especially in Indonesia where they are called kretek. However, cigarette smoking remains injurious to health : cloves just enhance flavor, they do not in any way detract from the harmful effects of smoking.

Soaps with clove oil are not just fragrant; they have a soothing effect and are anti- bacterial too.

Not all living creatures like the aroma of cloves. They are actually used in ant repellants.

 There is just one note of caution that must be sounded here. Clove oil is extremely strong and is best used diluted with something like coconut oil. It is also advisable to avoid consumption of clove oil; use the ground spice instead.

We have all heard the talk about “going organic”. Organic farming is a nonchemical way of cultivation which uses natural fertilizers and pest control methods.

As a result, organic clove or food for that matter does not contain chemical residues or preservatives: it is thus fresher, safer and healthier.

Remember that we can enhance the bounty that Mother Nature has blessed us with many times over by going organic.

Organic cloves can be used with great versatility. They are living proof that goodness comes in small packages. Even while opting for organic spices make sure they are of the best quality or from a trusted name in organic Products.

Crack open the secret of cumin for the treasure of health

Cumin (Jeera /Zeera in Hindi) is a spice indispensable to the Indian kitchen. It is also a popular ingredient in South Asian, North African and Latin American cuisines.

Cumin is the dried seed of the herb Cuminum cyminum of the Umbelliferae family which includes caraway, parsley and dill. No wonder then that cumin is often confused with its cousin, caraway.

Seeds excavated at Syrian and Egyptian archaeological sites date the use of cumin to as far back as the second millennium BC. In fact, cumin was used as a preservative in mummification in ancient Egypt. This tiny little seed even finds mention in both the New and Old Testaments of the Holy Bible.

Cumin is not just a ruling ingredient in many kitchens. This tiny seed holds great potential as a  health aid in ways mentioned below:

Uses in Aromatherapy:

The main constituents of cumin are the compounds cuminalldyhde and cuminic alcohol which give cumin its distinctive, strong flavour .It’s warm aroma is due to its essential oil content. The essential oil of cumin is extracted from dried and crushed seeds by steam distillation. Cumin oil is not used on its own in aromatherapy because it is so pungent; it mixes well with the essential oils of Angelica, Caraway, Camomile and Coriander and can be used in small doses. The essential oils of cumin are good to allay anxiety and decrease stress. They also tone  muscles, tissue and skin.

Stimulates Digestion:

Cumin is a very good digestive which stimulates the digestive as well as the excretory systems .It contains Thymol which encourages the secretion of digestive enzymes, bile and stomach acids  responsible for the digestion of food in the stomach and the small intestine. Cumin is also a carminative-  preventing gas formation, flatulence and stomach ache.

Useful in Treating Piles or Haemorrhoids:

Haemorrhoids are caused by  increased pressure on the veins of the anus and the rectum. The pressure results in swelling, pain and even bleeding. Haemorrhoids are a common discomfort in almost 75% of people who  suffer from them due to varied reasons: constipation, pregnancy, obesity or a low fibre diet. Cumin is high in fibre. As already discussed, it is a good digestive. It  is,thus, very useful in the treatment and prevention of piles. Cumin is also used in Ayurveda to treat severe digestive disorders which result in piles.

Helps you Breathe Easy:

The richly aromatic and pungent oils of cumin make it a great anti-congestive. They work by acting as an expectorant - they eliminate accumulated phlegm and mucus from the upper respiratory tract through coughing and sneezing.

They are also good disinfectants and help fight viral infections like the common cold. Cumin also contains Vitamin C which boosts our immune systems and defends us from toxins and, thus, infections.

A great recipe for cold and cough relief would be to boil one tablespoon of cumin with a small piece of crushed ginger in 2 cups of water. Simmer and then strain. Sip this decoction a few times to soothe a sore throat or to relieve a cold.

Good for Lactation:

Cumin is a boon to lactating mothers. It contains 900 mg of calcium and 66.4 mg of iron per 100gm. Calcium is an important constituent of milk and iron is essential for the body to make blood – both of which are important when a woman has delivered and is feeding her baby.

The thymol in cumin stimulates glandular secretions. This includes the secretion of milk from the mammary glands after childbirth. Cumin is good for increasing the quantity and the quality of milk in lactating mothers.

Skin Care Aid:

The essential oils of cumin are good anti-fungal agents and are, thus, good disinfectants. They help to prevent microbial and fungal infections of the skin.

The vitamin E in cumin acts as an antioxidant and is beneficial to skin. It can help in keeping the signs of premature aging like wrinkles and age spots at bay.  A face pack made of finely ground cumin and turmeric in the ratio of 1:3, added to honey or yoghurt and applied to the face gives you glowing skin. Just keep the pack on till it dries and wash off gently with warm water.

Fights Anaemia:

The iron in cumin helps in the production of Haemoglobin, the protein in the blood that carries and transports oxygen to the cells throughout our bodies. Cumin makes a good supplement in treating anaemia or inadequacy of red blood cells.

Protects our Kidneys:

Cuminaldehyde, thymol and phosphorus which are present in cumin are good detoxifying agents. They help to remove toxins from the body through the excretory system and thus aid our kidneys. Cumin oil also protects kidney tissue from free oxygen radicals which might otherwise damage cellular membranes.

The following are some suggestions to help you to magnify the benefits that you can reap by using cumin

1.    Buy organic cumin, free from harmful chemical fertiliser and pesticide residues, untainted by preservatives as well. Do not diminish the goodness of this wonderful little seed.

2.    Prefer whole seeds over powdered cumin as they keep fresh longer and cannot be adulterated as easily as powder.

3.    Grind lightly roasted cumin at home and then powder. Keep in a tightly closed bottle to preserve the aroma. If your use of the powder is limited, you can even store it in the freezer tightly sealed.

Sow the seeds of good health and well being: go for organic cumin right away. Make your job easy by looking for India’s leading  organic products brand.

Why We Love Organic Food?

She took some ragi flour and neatly kneaded it into the dough with her expert hands using a small amount of curd instead of water. Then she made nice and small balls out of that dough. I knew what would follow next. But to my surprise instead of using a rolling pin to roll them, she used her palms to flatten out the balls, till they spread out to the desired size. Ragi rotis that she made turned out to be exceptionally soft and supple. And everybody loved them!

I always enjoyed watching my grandmother cook. For me, my granny has been the source of formulae to some lip-smacking old time delicacies. She always emphasised on the use of grains like ragi and bajra for all their amazing health benefits.

With time, rice and wheat have become the primary ingredients of our regular meals and lesser used grains like ragi and other millets had taken a backseat. But in recent times, with the growing consciousness towards health and preference towards gluten free food, more and more of us are again including ragi and other non-glutinous food grains back into use.

But the regular ragi flour is something that everyone refrains from buying, owing to the awareness about the pesticides and fertilisers used in conventional farming methods. Organic and natural are the buzzwords today. Industry experts are surprised with the rate in which the demand for organic ragi flour and other organic food is growing.

When it comes to advantages of eating naturally grown food, it is not just about you; it is also about others and the environment. Here is why we love organic ragi flour more than the regular ragi flour.

1. For nutritional superiority:

   Our grannies have told us enough about nutritional values of ragi grains, what they would not have said is that how organic ragi is denser in those nutrients. Choose wisely what you eat to derive the maximum nourishment for your body.

2. For protection from the dangers of pesticides:

   Pesticides are known for causing leukaemia, breast and prostate cancer, infertility, Parkinson’s disease, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and depression. Does that sound scary? Go organic if you don’t want to invite these ill effects of pesticides used in non-organic food.

3. For safeguarding against chemicals:

   Food, when not grown organically needs a lot of processing and treatment with herbicides and fertilisers. These chemicals cause cardiac diseases, immune disorders, hypertension and many types of cancer. Your body deserves better than this.

4. For giving the best to your little ones:

   We know ragi makes a great baby food. And when it is about our small bundle of joy, we don’t want to compromise, and we want to feed them purest of the pure. Organic is a safe bet for babies as their digestive system are not mature enough to fight with the harmful effects of pesticides, chemicals and adulteration.

5. For more health to plants and animals:

   When more and more of us will use organic products, there will be less chemical exposure for farms and wild spaces and birds and water life. Thus healthier plants, animals, birds and water lives.

6. For environment-friendly options:

   When we resort to more natural ways of growing our food there is minimum cruelty to mother nature through pollution, nutrition depletion, soil erosion and scarred landmarks from cutting of trees and plants. Moreover as discussed earlier we will have healthier plants and animal and thus healthier ecosystem.

7. For a stronger local economy:

   More you buy organic products, less is the need to import, creating more demand and jobs locally. Thus letting you contribute to the local economy.

8. For your guilt free eating:

   When you eat organic food, you are safe from chemicals and pesticides, you know your eating habit is not causing any threat to the environment. You know you are enjoying the best nutritional benefits. All these reasons are enough to shun away any guilt while you eat.

9. For a healthier generation:

   The usual eating habits are known to cause congenital disabilities, autism, leukaemia, learning disorders in children. The conventional ways of producing food lead to people coming into contact with harmful effects of chemicals. Support organic farm to benefit the entire nation’s and ultimately world’s health.

Considering the countless benefits of organic food, today we want all our ingredients, from fruits to vegetables, grains to pulses and even the spices as natural and fresh as we can have them. Moreover, in a country like India, where we are most liberal with the quantity of spices we put in our food, we should be careful when buying spices and should go with organic spices only.

You don’t need more reasons to go organic. While you are looking to buy organic ragi flour, organic spices or other natural food products, find the best quality products at TerraGreens.

Why Should You Eat Organic Cereals?

What has made cereals enter the mainstream of food and why is every food marketer jumping on the bandwagon? There must be something significant that is making every food category vying to include this element in some form or the other. From products made for kids to items intended for adults hitting the gym or sports-ring, they are a part of every package today.

The interesting twist is that food marketers in our households have been selling us this power-source for many years, but we have not been listening carefully.

• Cereals like Upma, Poha provide not only taste but also immense health benefits. Nowadays you can access ready to cook Upma mix.
• Foxtail Millets Upma Mix: Regular use of foxtail is a good guard against coronary diseases and reduces chances of cardiac arrest and fatalities. Being a diabetic friendly food, it contains a fair amount of phenolic (a strong anti-oxidant) used to get rid of toxins in the body. People who cannot consume wheat are left with very few options as most of the products in the market like biscuits, bakery items like bread, etc., are made from Wheat. As a gluten free diet, foxtail millet is a perfect food for people suffering from Celiac, promoting digestion, increases energy levels and helping in maintaining cholesterol levels.
• Sooji Rava Upma Mix: Sooji is very good for diabetics or those who wish to lose weight. Sooji is made from the durum wheat and is slow to digest, thus sustaining energy for a longer period of time.
• Wheat Daliya Upma Mix:  An excellent source of dietary fiber, Daliya is one of the best alternatives to wheat. It aids in weight loss, diabetes and prevents constipation. It is also used as a weaning food, to transition babies from breast milk to semi-solid food. Being rich in proteins it helps in building muscles.   
• Cereals need not be equated to Oats. Cereals like puffed paddy are simply store-houses of health. When one has to control weight without starving too much and without letting the stomach run empty, the best way is to eat a good organic cereal like puffed paddy, also called nel pori or aralu in the local language. It is a very good source of potassium, zinc, copper, thiamin, niacin, Vitamin B6 pantothenic acid, iron, magnesium, phosphorous and manganese. The presence of magnesium aids in enzyme function, energy boosters, strengthening heart muscles, preventing strokes and avoiding heart attacks. Magnesium is also linked to treatment of depression. You can make Bhel Puri with this puffed paddy.  

Many recipes that are usually sacrificed by weight-conscious people can be easily remade with cereals like Wheat Daliya, Foxtail Millets, Rava Sooji and Puffed Paddy.

It is an added advantage when the cereals are organic. Organic crops are not exposed to synthetic pesticides, GMOs, and fertilizers that are petroleum-based or sewage sludge-based. Organic farming practices include the usage of natural fertilizers such as compost and manure to feed soil and plants. Crop rotation, mulching and tilling are used to control weeds, while insects are controlled using natural methods such as traps and birds.

Enjoy the comfort of organic cereals and the health that accompanies them.