In India, Banana Leaf is not just a tree leaf. It’s a beautiful tradition and culture!!! Hardly anything can beat the pleasure of eating on banana leaves. A delicious meal served on a slender, big, green-yellowish banana leaf. Yes, you heard it correctly! After listening to so many childhood stories from my parents, I tried to eat from a banana leaf. And, interestingly, it was an overwhelming feeling with superb taste. Banana leaf not only looks appealing. But it also comes with a vast list of health benefits of eating on banana leaves. Here I am also listing some of the facts that will convince us to use the banana leaf for serving and consuming meals.
Ancient Usage of Banana Leaves
Banana leaves are used for symbolic and decorative purposes for various Buddhist and Hindu rituals and ceremonies. Even traditionally, in some of the country’s states, they are an essential element for building a home. The fences and roofs are made up of dry banana leaves. Moreover, in ancient times people of Southeast and South Asia used banana leaves as a writing pad. Now, let’s look at the benefits of eating on banana leaves.
Free From Chemicals
Eating on banana leaves protects you from consuming unwanted chemical particles of the detergents, washing soaps, etc. These particles cannot be noticed naked eye, but they lurk somewhere on your dish. The use of banana leaf in functions can save people from consuming toxic agents presented in plastic or thermocol plates.
Rich in Antioxidants
Banana leaves are laden with polyphenols that are mostly present in various leafy plants and green tea. Because of the polyphenols, banana leaves become rich in antioxidants. These antioxidants battle and help you to prevent lifestyle diseases, ageing, and some cancer types too.
Eating on Banana Leaves Helps in Keeping the Environment Green and Clean
Though plastic and thermocol dishes result in the pile of landfills. Because they are of non-biodegradable nature that requires several years to transform into compost. Yet banana leaves serve the purpose of green and clean India as they are eco-friendly. Moreover, they can be processed into compost in countable days.
Comfortable and Convenient
If banana leaves are readily available nearby you, then why to wastewater and time for washing utensils? Eating on banana leaves not only saves water and time but offers comfort for serving any dish directly on the leaf.
Best Cooking Tool
Many people use banana leaves for cooking purposes too. Steaming food on the banana leaves gives a sweet taste with EGCG traces. These EGCG traces serve as dietary supplements for keeping your digestive system active. Moreover, you can use these fantastic banana leaves for wrapping and packing your food well.
Eating on Banana Leaves Enhances the Taste
Banana leaves appear waxy in look. But, believe it or not, the meal served on the leaf becomes tastier when the hot food is poured on it. And, the coated wax merged with the food and gave you an earthy flavour.
Eating on Banana Leaves Maintains hygiene
Most people said that the wax is harmful to health. But, the waxy layer of banana leaf proves it wrong. Banana leaves have a waxy exterior that is not at all sticky and allows easy cleaning of it. You can easily wash them and utilize them for serving or eating food.
Even most of the South Indian restaurants serve their delicacies on these leaves. As banana leaves are cleaner and safer than the used utensils.
Eating on Banana Leaves Because it’s Inexpensive
If you have a banana tree nearby you, then banana leaves don’t cost you a penny. Even if you buy from a market, it still costs you less than the plastic or thermal plates. In simple words, banana leaves are an economical and healthier way to serve food.
Customize size
Whether you have to serve a large feast or a small meal, you can customize banana leaf according to the feed’s size. Banana leaves are very wide and can easily usable for serving a whole meal on a single plate.
Waterproof surface
In our country, many dishes have liquid curries that require a waterproof surface. But, banana leaves make it a convenient task. It will save you from spillage stains on your clothes. Even oil or ghee will not stick to the leaf. In short, you enjoy your delicacies without any difficulty.
