As the name suggests Malayan Apple is a native of Malaysia. It is also a native of Malaysia’s neighboring countries Java, Indonesia, and Sumatra. Botanical name is Syzygium malaccense and belongs to … [Read more...]
Banana – Plantain
I could not believe when the Banana - Plantain plant that was growing in one patch of our garden flowered one day. We kept a vigil for the flowers to convert into fruit and we were successful … [Read more...]
String Beans
String beans, French beans also known as Runner beans is a vegetable that is used in cuisines across the globe but originated in Peru. The other common names are Snap bean, Bush bean, Pole bean, … [Read more...]
Corn – Maize
As you travel from South India to North India, you will come across many corn fields. There is an increase in the cultivation of Corn in North Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh due to the demand for the … [Read more...]
Jackfruit
The Jackfruit tree is an evergreen tree belonging to Moraceae family and the botanical name is Artocarpus heterophyllus. Jackfruit is native to South and Southeast Asia and has been cultivated in … [Read more...]
Sugarcane
I remember in childhood feasting on Sugarcanes during Shankranthi festival as it is a custom in Karnataka to distribute a piece of Sugarcane to friends and relatives on this harvest festival. We kids … [Read more...]
Thai Basil
“Kamakasturi” is a common plant found growing alongside the holy basil / Tulasi in backyards of most of the houses in South India. This common plant is the exotic herb known as Thai Basil or Sweet … [Read more...]
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 early morning sipping a cup of filter coffee is the ideal way to start the day … [Read more...]
Beetroot
Beetroot is cultivated widely across the world as it is one of the most popular vegetables used in a variety of dishes. The leaves are also edible when boiled or steamed. Beetroot has been … [Read more...]
Okra – Ladies Finger – Bhindi
Also known as Okra, Bhindi (Hindi), Bhendekayi (Kannada) is a very popular vegetable in India. It is grown all over the country and used to cook a variety of dishes. The botanical name is … [Read more...]
Peanuts
Peanuts or Groundnuts belongs to the legume family Fabaceae. Botanical name is Archis Hypogaea. Hypogaea means below the earth. In Kannada it is known as Kadalekayi and Shenga, Moomphali in Hindi, and … [Read more...]
Chickpea – Channa
Every December and January vendors would tie chickpea plants full of tender pods on their cycles and would cycle through the streets selling them. It used to be a tasty and protein rich snack for us … [Read more...]
Sandalwood Tree
I remember guests who would visit us at Mysore would always wish to take away a Sandalwood article as a memento and we would take them to Cauvery handicrafts to take their pick. Sandalwood is … [Read more...]
Sesame Seeds
"Open sesame", the famous phrase from the Arabian Nights, reflects the distinguishing feature of the sesame seed pod, which bursts open when it reaches maturity. Sesame Seeds is a flowering … [Read more...]
Preparation of Kadalepuri – Puffed Rice
Kadalepuri / Puffed Rice / Murmura is prepared from rice and it is something that can be eaten anytime anywhere. It is also used to prepare delicious dishes. I was intrigued to find how … [Read more...]
Oranges
A lady whom we used to address as “Chechi” / meaning sister in Malayalam in the school where I studied used to sell these tiny oranges cut in the middle with a dash of Salt and Chili powder mixture … [Read more...]
Henna – Mehendi Plant
Like any other girl, I would look forward to decorate my hands with Goranti as we called in Kannada for mehendi / henna. My sister would draw big and small circles on my palm using a broom stick … [Read more...]
Ker, berry of Rajasthan
Picture1 - Ker photographed in Jaisalmer The plants in the desert of Rajasthan are remarkable thriving in regions where the rain fall is just 2 cm a year. A plant that I took an instant liking … [Read more...]
Indian Gooseberry
I would wait impatiently for the Uttan Dwadashi festival to get over so that I could bite into the flesh of an Indian Gooseberry dipped in a mixture of salt and chili powder. It was a rule in … [Read more...]
Guava
When we took a house for rent, a small Guava tree was already planted in the space between the house and the compound. With care and constant pruning, the tree grew to a height of 15 feet and … [Read more...]
