Even though I have experienced a wide range of cuisines and meals from various cultures, I still prefer to eat in “banana leaves” when I visit hotels or the homes of my ancestors because it makes me feel the happiest. Ask me why if you want to. It's not just because of the tradition I was up with; it's also because of the advantages and scientific explanations for the banana leaf that I recently learned.
Indian tradition heavily relies on banana leaves. Food is served on the large banana leaves for all events and gatherings. More frequently than in the north, people in South India use banana leaves. Nothing compares to the pleasure of eating a lavish dinner that is presented on a sizable, thin, and greenish-yellow banana leaf. Yes! You are accurate. Eating on a banana leaf has many other health advantages besides just being visually appealing.
Serving food on Banana leaves is followed as a custom in South India which became a beautiful trend in the world nowadays. Eating on banana leaves is chemical-free as well as flavorful, environmentally friendly, hygienic, and practical. In every aspect, eating off of banana leaves is healthful. Additionally, banana leaves have a wax coating that gives them a shiny appearance that adds a subtle flavor to the hot food when served on it.
A banana leaf can be cleaned with just a light sprinkle of water. By doing so, any contaminants that might be adhering to the leaf will be removed. It is usually advisable to eat in a banana when dining in locations with uncertain hygienic conditions and uncleaned cutleries. A banana leaf swelters when hot rice is placed on it. The chlorophyll in the leaf is absorbed by the rice, giving it flavour.
Due to the high levels of polyphenols present in banana leaves, they are rich in organic antioxidants. Green tea and several plant-based meals include them. Food placed on banana leaves absorbs the polyphenols, which are thought to prevent many ailments associated with an unhealthy lifestyle. They are also thought to possess anti-bacterial characteristics that help with digestion and can destroy bacteria in food and able to eradicate food-borne pathogens. The polyphenols in the leaf are activated and absorbed into the meal, then into our system, when hot food is served on it. This was still another factor in the fact that food was always freshly prepared and served hot on banana leaves.
Any advantage of the leaf that was still present by the time the last course of the curd/buttermilk arrived had been devoured! These polyphenols fight off all the body's free radicals and guard against illnesses. The Parkinson's disease treatment enzyme polyphenol oxidase is also abundant in banana leaves. Apart from that, One of the most cost-effective and affordable solutions is to eat your meal on banana leaves.
You don't have to worry about blowing all of your excess money on several serving utensils. All you need to do to finish the day is to take a couple of banana leaves from the banana tree. Simply give the leaves a quick water rinse, then continue.
Banana leaves are considerably more environmentally friendly than plastic disposable cutlery, so make the wise choice and switch. They not only decompose quickly—the majority of plastics, as we all know, do not—but they also spare you the extra time and work required to wash the dishes. Dishwashing soaps and solutions with chemical bases further pollute the groundwater and may eventually damage the water table.
Eating on banana leaves is usually a good idea because they are more hygienic than other eating utensils. Normal utensils must be washed with soap, and even after washing, there is a potential that residues of soap may still be present and your food could become contaminated by those remnants. The wax-like covering of banana leaves keeps dirt and dust from adhering to the surface. Additionally, it gives dishes that are served on leaves a mild, earthy flavor.
On holidays and family gatherings, most people prepare a traditional south Indian dish on banana leaves. They are also used frequently to present prasad to the gods and are highly revered. These substantial leaves are large enough to serve a multi-course dinner, including chutneys and sambhar. These leaves can also be divided into various sizes and arranged on a platter of any size.
We bet you were unaware of the high nutritious content of banana leaves. When food is served on banana leaves, various nutrients are added that we would otherwise miss. The custom of eating food wrapped in banana leaves is not only beautiful to look at but also delicious. Therefore, take it upon yourself to roll up your sleeves and dive in the next time someone gives you lunch on a banana leaf.
