Tag: Poriyal

Notwithstanding its uses nutritionally, medicinally and artisanally, the Palmyra tree has an incredible importance on an ecological level. Where it grows, they say cows will sleep. It is so because the roots of the Palmyra tree venture very deep into the ground and bring moisture up closer to the surface thereby maintaining a certain coolness…

Like the fruit, even the inner stem of the Banana plant (which is technically actually a flower stalk!) is nutritionally rich. Particularly in terms of fibre, and micronutrients such as Potassium – which helps muscle function, nerve impulses, maintenance of fluid balance and blood pressure within the body, and vitamin B6 – which helps the…

Sesbania grandiflora / West Indian pea, Jayanti Agathi keerai is the Tamil name for this plant, also known as the Hummingbird tree or Flamingo Bill because of the characteristic shape of its flowers. It is a fast growing tree which thrives in plenty of sunlight. In Asia, this tree’s leaves are used in cooking, and…

Chamaecostus cuspidatus These days what is commonly known in India as the Insulin Plant, is a species native to eastern Brazil. Its contemporary name comes from its anti-diabetic qualities. For a food to be accepted into our diet its medicinal benefits alone are not enough, it should also be palatable. The insulin plant leaves are…

Native to tropical regions, Annatto is a natural yellow–orange dye obtained from the plant Bixa orellana. Annatto colorants are used in several ways, extensively in the food industry. Annatto preparations are also used in makeup products and in textile industries. This batch of the dye was made from seeds my dear friend Krishna McKenzie collected…

Bhumi Devi I walk out into the millet field as the light breaks into day. Looking at the stalks that emerge out of the earth, holding the heads of grain as though they were a humble offering to the continuum of all life, and it is self-evident – that as life begets life, the soil…

‘Thinai’ Setaria italica Millets in general are nutritious, tasty and easy to grow, thriving on seasonal rain and requiring little to no irrigation. This makes them a viable and sane option to consider adopting, or rather re-adopting, as staple foods. One of the earliest dated cultivated Millets (back to 8,000 years ago along China’s Yellow…

A pesto is a super customizable green sauce, traditionally consisting of basil, pine nuts, garlic and cheese. We, at solitude, have made it local! Basil grows everywhere in the country. It can be planted in gardens and in pots alike. It can easily adapt to varied weather conditions and soil types. It has multiple culinary…

Many plants grow from cuttings. Acerola is really hard to grow from seeds; at least we haven’t figured it out yet. But, as a cutting, it’s really easy. Simply, cut off a woody branch that’s about 1 inch in diameter and 30 centimetres long, and plant it in sandy soil.  Put it in a safe…