Goodness of Nature

Lablab Bean

Lablab Bean

Other common names of Lablab are hyacinth bean, dolichos bean, seim bean, Egyptian kidney bean, Indian bean, chicharo and Australian…

Brahmi

Ondelaga – Brahmi – Gotu Kola

We are all aware of Brahmi because of Brahmi Amla Kesh Thel (Brahmi – Gooseberry – hair oil) that is…

Bay Leaves

Indian Bay Leaf Tree

We came across this good looking tree in Padubidiri. My city bred eyes could never have identified the tree. My…

Carrot

Carrot

Carrot Kosambari is a favorite and a very common traditional salad in Mysore so is Carrot Halwa in North India.…

Ganika Patram

Ganika Patram – Garden Night Shade

Ganika Patram is known as Kasi Soppu in Kannada, Makoi in Hindi, and Manathakali in Tamil. Botanical name is Solanum…

Tomato

Tomato

Tomato Saru, Tomato Bhajji (raitha), Tomato Chutney, Tomato Onion Chitranna (Rice) were some of the dishes enjoyed while growing up. …

Malayan Apple

Malayan Apple

As the name suggests Malayan Apple is a native of Malaysia. It is also a native of Malaysia’s neighboring countries…

Banana – Plantain

I could not believe when the Banana - Plantain plant that was growing in one patch of our garden flowered…

Tamarind Tree

Childhood memories of preparing and devouring Chigali (tamarind sweet-sour lollipop) flash as I write about this tree. I also remember…

String Beans

String beans, French beans also known as Runner beans is a vegetable that is used in cuisines across the globe…

Corn – Maize

As you travel from South India to North India, you will come across many corn fields. There is an increase…

Jungle Jalebi

I found Jungle Jalebi the perfect name for Pithecellobium dulce known as Malnad Hunchikayi in North Karnataka and Seeme Hunase…

Ber the Indian Jujube Tree

I remember an old lady whom we used to address as “Ajji” (grandma) selling Ber the Indian Jujube Tree (Yelachi…

Bamboo

Presence of Bamboo in most of the South Indian wild life sanctuaries like Bandipur, Madumalai, Bhadra, Nagarhole, Tholpetty, and Kabini…

Jackfruit

The Jackfruit tree is an evergreen tree belonging to Moraceae family and the botanical name is Artocarpus heterophyllus. Jackfruit is…

Sugarcane

I remember in childhood feasting on Sugarcanes during Shankranthi festival as it is a custom in Karnataka to distribute a…

Thai Basil

Botanical name is Ocimum basilicum. Thai Basil plant grows up to 3 feet in height and has purple-green wide, lance-like…

Coffee Break – Coffee Plant – Coffee Tree

“Coffee should be black as hell, strong as death, and sweet as love." – Turkish Porverb Reading newspaper in the…

Beetroot

Beetroot is cultivated widely across the world as it is one of the most popular vegetables used in a variety of…

Okra – Ladies Finger – Bhindi

Also known as Okra, Bhindi (Hindi), Bhendekayi (Kannada) is a very popular vegetable in India. It is grown all over…