Silver Queen, Burmese Gaint, Hill variety, Red, Elephant tusk, Country variety, these and more all varieties of ladies’ finger. The Burmese giant takes four and half months to grow and yield. The Burmese giant variety takes two to two and a half months to grow and yield.

The Burmese giant grows to a height of 3 meters, while the red ladies’ finger grows to a height of 1 and a half meters. People have very categorical opinions about food; some say, “ I don’t like ladies’ fingers,” but each ladies’ finger tastes different. Some ladies’ fingers are covered in mildly thorny hairs, and they are better cooked; others are delicious eaten raw. Nature is such a marvel, and yet we reduce her to an economic gain; crops that respond to chemicals and grow quickly are easy to transport and store.

Of course, this results in a loss of nutrition and biodiversity, and it is reflected in the lifestyle diseases that overwhelm our modern lives.

The only way to honor and preserve biodiversity is to eat these traditional local foods. Honoring a nutritional heritage honors Mother Nature and honors humanity as a whole.