BANANA LEAF

     Serving food in Banana Leaf is a tradition unique to India, especially in South India.  Eating food on a banana leaf is a custom that dates back to thousands of years.  That's when men lived along with Nature.  They efficiently embraced the benefits of nature as a 'Way of Life'.  Food served in banana leaves have a special aroma and enhanced flavour.
     Eating food in Banana Leaf makes the food,

• Tasty
• Healthy
• Eco-friendly
• Hygienic

    The antioxidants (polyphenols) in banana leaf is reported to help fight cancer and Parkinson's disease. When hot food is placed on the leaves, the wax melts and infuses its flavour into the food, making it taste better.
     Eating food in banana leaves has loads of health benefits. When hot food is served in banana leaves, the various nutrients mix with the food, as the waxy coating over the leaves melts and adds a subtle aroma and flavour to the dish.

• It purifies the blood.
• It stimulates appetite.
• It aids in the digestion of food.
• It is a good remedy for kidney stones and other bladder related diseases.
• It boosts the Immune system.
• The chlorophyll in the leaves soothes the mucous lining in the stomach and prevents intestinal ulcer and skin disease.
• It can be beneficial for your skin.

      Cooking and eating in a banana leaf has been adapted by various cultures and traditions around the globe.  Serving food in banana leaf is very common in South India.  Cooking certain food wrapped in banana leaves has been a common practice in India. Cooks around the World have adapted numerous ways to cook and present their food in this beautiful giant leaves.  Wrapping them around the food, make handy Parcels out of them, or artistically serving them on these leaves or using them as table decors. Banana leaves are quite versatile for the purpose.
     Food wrapped as a parcel or cooked in banana leaves seals the moisture and flavour of the food and gets infused with a subtle aroma of Banana leaves.

Foods Cooked/Served with Banana Leaves :

Steamed /Grilled Fish :      

IKAN BAKAR

     Marinated Fish or Fish seasoned with spices and herbs are wrapped with these leaves and then Steamed or Grilled.  Malaysian famous Ikan Bakar, Cambodian style Amok-fish all follow this style of cooking.  This makes the fish fragrant and locks the moisture within.  Also, it prevents the fish from sticking to the grill and adds a smoky flavour to the dish.  Even vegetables and Prawns can also be cooked in this method.

 

MEEN POLLICHATHU

 

Kerala style Meen Pollichathu, Odisha Style Macha Patropoda, are Indian regional delicacies where fish is wrapped and cooked in Banana Leaves.

Savories and Sweets:    

KUIH KOCI GULA KELAPA

 Throughout the length and breadth of South East Asia, these are numerous varieties of Kuihs(Sweets) and Savouries cooked in Banana Leaf. Glutinous rice Kuihs of Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia, Otak-Otak and Savoury Custards are few to mention.

 

ELAYADA

 

 Indian Sweets like Ela Ada(elayada) and a savoury dish called Rice Panki are cooked using banana leaves.

Tamales :

     Tamales are meat cooked in MaSeCa or Corn Husks which imparts a different flavour of corn husks into the cooked meat.  Alternatively, in some parts of Mexico and Central America, Tamales are cooked by wrapping them in banana leaves.

Pasteles:

     Pasteles are Puerto Rican dish prepared with Raw Bananas/Taro wrapped in banana leaves.

Bibingka :

     Philippine famous Bibingka is a type of rice cake traditionally made from galapong (milled glutinous rice), coconut milk, margarine, and sugar. Traditionally they are baked in a terracotta pot lined with banana leaves.

Parcel/Wrapping in Banana Leaf :

NASI LEMAK  IN BANANA LEAF

      In Malaysia, uniquely parcelled Nasi Lemak packets use Banana leaves to wrap the dish.

Most of the Indian restaurants parcel their food wrapped in banana leaves.  Kerala famous Pothi Choru is a takeaway meal with special Vegetarian or Non-vegetarian dishes all served side by side in Banana leaf Parcel. 

 

KANYAKUMARI KATTU SADHAM

 

Yet another regional delicacy called Kanya Kumari Kattu Choru is one dish when wrapped and served in a Banana Leaf enhances the very nature of the dish.

Presentation :

     Freshly cut Banana Leaves can be used as Plates or table decors.  They can be converted into beautiful plates or bowls to serve Rice, Vegetables, Desserts etc.,

Serving :

SADHYA

     A whole Vegetarian or Non-vegetarian meal can be served on a Banana Leaf.  It's not only a tradition but also a hygienic and eco-friendly method.  Banana Leaf plays a vital part in Virundhu/Sadhya - Banquet an elaborate meal served during festivals, marriages or functions.

Apart from just using them for serving food and wrapping, it can be used as a simple home remedy for various ailments too:

• Fresh juice extracted from banana leaf  can treat 

               - Minor skin wounds
               - Rashes,
               - Skin irritation.
               - Dandruff,
               - Eczema,
               - Sun burn.

• Soak banana leaves in cold water and apply it on the sun burnt area.

• Banana leaves have medicinal properties which can treat

                - Poisonous Insect Bites
                - Bee Stings
                - Spider Bites   


     Most of all, food served in a Banana Leaf has a beauty of its own.  A tradition to keep up and a goodness for us to embrace and forward it to next generation.  Least to mention the nostalgic aroma of food packed in banana leaf parcels.  As said by Thirumoolar -"Yam petra inbam peruga ivvayagam" which means "Let the world rejoice the bliss I've realized".


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*DISCLAIMER:

Please remember, these options are only meant as guidelines and in no way replaces the advice or treatment provided by your medical practitioner. It is always good to seek the advice of your physician for professional advice in any matter related to your health. This is for information purposes only.