Ridge Gourd known as Heerekayi in Kannada is a popular vegetable in South Indian cuisine. As children we would be given a raw piece to taste and identify the ones that are bitter. The other … [Read more...]
Cheese
Photograph smiles and Cheese have a lot in common. People being photographed who say Cheese seem to be smiling more than the ones who don’t say cheese. For some the smell of it can make them … [Read more...]
Dragon Fruit
Other common names of Dragon fruit are Pitaya, Moon lovers, Night blooming Cereus, Strawberry Pear, Belle of the Night, Conderella plant, and Sweet Pitaya. Botanical name is Hylocereus undatus and … [Read more...]
Wheat
Wheat or Godi in Kannada is widely consumed in India. It is known as Gehun in Hindi, Marathi and Urdu. In Sanskrit it is Arupa, Bahudugdha, Godhuma. The botanical name is Triticum aestivum and belongs … [Read more...]
Fenugreek
Fenugreek is an annual and belongs to Fabaceae (pea) family. The botanical name is Trigonella foenum-graecum. Other common names are Greek-clover and Greek hay. Fenugreek is known as Menthya in … [Read more...]
Spinach
The cartoon character Popeye, the sailor man and Spinach are synonyms to each other and kids are coaxed to eat the power packed Spinach by reminding them about Popeye getting strength from this humble … [Read more...]
Ramphal
Other common names of Ramphal are Netted Custard Apple, Bullock's heart, Bull's heart. In Sanskrit it is known as Lavani, Krishnabija. Botanical name is Annona reticulata and belongs to Annonaceae … [Read more...]
Capsicum
Common names of Capsicum are Sweet Pepper, Bell Pepper. In Hindi it is known as Shimla Mirch and in Kannada it is known as Donna Menasinakayi. The botanical name is Capsicum Annuum and belongs to … [Read more...]
Drumstick Tree – Moringa Tree
You can see a drumstick tree growing in most of the houses in South India. The Drumstick is relished in Sambar by the South Indians. Another common name is Horse-radish. In Hindi it is known as … [Read more...]
Chayote Squash
The much loved Seemebadanekayi in South Karnataka is known as Chayote Squash. Most of us in South Karnataka would have enjoyed Seemebadanekayi Palya with Saaru Anna. Chayote Squash is also … [Read more...]
Palmyra Palm Tree
Palmyra palm tree is also known as African fan palm, Borassus palm, Doub palm, Great fan palm, Lontar palm, Ron palm, Toddy palm, and Wine palm. In Hindi it is known as Taad, Kannada it is … [Read more...]
Sapodilla – Sapota Tree – Chikoo Tree
My earliest memory of Sapota is my uncle getting these fruits home and asking us to keep them buried in Rice to ripen. Another uncle of mine had planted many Sapota trees in his farm where we used to … [Read more...]
Chili Pepper
Chilies are an integral part of Indian cuisine. The varieties available in the market is mind boggling. Botanical name is Capsicum frutescens and belongs to Solanaceae family (potato). In Kannada it … [Read more...]
Bitter Gourd
Most of us at one time in our life would have hated Bitter Gourd and some of us during the lifetime would have also acquired the taste of Bitter Gourd. Common names are Bitter Melon, Bitter Squash, or … [Read more...]
Pigeon Pea
In South Indian kitchens you are sure to find Pigeon pea cooked almost every day. It is the staple diet served as an accompaniment with another staple diet of the region: Rice. Dal is prepared in most … [Read more...]
Cuban Oregano – Doddapatre – Patharchur
I remember as a child when allergic rash would erupt on the skin, I would crush Cuban Oregano leaves and apply over it and also follow the advice of consuming two or three leaves to get … [Read more...]
Pepper
One of the reasons for a number of invasions on India was for the priced spices like Pepper. They found their way to South India by sea to take away as much of spices as they … [Read more...]
Sorghum
Sorghum is known as Jower in India and belongs to Poaceae (grass) family. It is a native of Australia, Africa, and Asia. It is known as Jola in Kannada and is the staple diet of North Karnataka, … [Read more...]
Coconut
Having been bought up in a region surrounded by Coconut palm trees, I cannot imagine a day not seeing the Coconut in various forms or hearing the sound of a Coconut being cracked open. Every … [Read more...]
Cardamom
Cardamom is known as Queen of spices and it is a native of India. It is known as Elaichi in Hindi, Yelakki in Kannada, Ela or Ellka in Sanskrit and the botanical name is Elettaria cardamomum. Cardamom … [Read more...]
