- A unique tradition is observed in South India even today on special occasions.
- There are several practical reasons behind this method.
- There is also a special relationship with health and environment.
Although the world has moved on, some traditions continue to be followed today. In South India Even today, in most homes, food is served on banana leaves on special occasions or festivals. There is no doubt that food served on a banana leaf looks very attractive and gives a different experience. Especially in the 'Sadya' of Kerala, traditional meals of Tamil Nadu and South Indian weddings, you will find food decorated with banana leaves.
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But have you ever thought? Why is food served on a banana leaf? If you also think that serving food on a banana leaf is only a South Indian tradition, today you are going to know the real reason behind it. Although serving food on a banana leaf is a traditional practice, it started with a scientific reason.
The reason for serving food on a banana leaf?
Banana trees grow easily in the hot and humid climate of South India. In ancient times, banana leaves were easily available, which led to their use as a plate during communal meals. This use of banana leaves was natural and convenient.
Banana leaves are thrown away after use and then consumed by animals, thus creating no waste. This eliminates the need to wash hundreds of utensils while serving food to hundreds of people and makes the use of banana leaves convenient. The surface of the banana leaf is smooth and waxy, which makes it easy to grow rice, sambar, vegetables, pickles and other foods on it. The leaf also emits a faint natural aroma when hot food is placed on it, making the dining experience more pleasant.
Order of meals
Banana leaves are used not only for convenience but also because of the tradition of growing food in a certain order in traditional South Indian food culture. That is, each substance is grown in a special order on the banana leaf. Dishes like sambar, rasam and finally curd or payasam are added with rice. Foods like chutney, papad, vada are grown on one side of the leaf. This makes the banana leaf not only a serving plate but also a part of the food arrangement.
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Beneficial for health
Ayurveda has been practiced since ancient times in South India. It is also claimed that eating in banana leaves has many health benefits. Banana leaves contain many antioxidants that help protect the body from free radicals. Not only this, it is believed that eating a banana leaf also benefits digestion. When hot food is served on a banana leaf, its nutrients are automatically mixed with the food and provide benefits to our body.