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Daily Dose Of Interesting Information

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# 24. BROWN MUSTARD. .

Brassica juncea is a species of mustard plant. It is also known as mustard greens, Indian mustard, Chinese mustard, and leaf mustard.

Sub varieties include southern giant curled mustard, which resembles a headless cabbage and has a distinct combined horseradish-mustard flavor. It is also known as green mustard cabbage.
The leaves, the seeds, and the stem of this mustard variety are edible. The plant appears in some form or other in African, Italian, Indian, Chinese, Japanese cuisine.

Cultivars of B. juncea are grown for their leaves and oil seeds. The leaves are used in African cooking; the leaves, seeds, and stems are used in mountain regions of Nepal.

Cuisines of India and Pakistan a famous dish called mustard greens is prepared.

The mustard made from the seeds of the B. juncea is called brown mustard.The leaves are used in many Indian dishes.
The Gorkhas of Darjeeling and Sikkim prepare pork with mustard greens called 'rayo' in Nepali. It is usually relished with steamed rice, but could also be eaten with chapati (griddle breads).
Brassica juncea is more pungent and is frequently mixed with the milder greens in a dish of "mixed greens",

Mustard greens are rich in Vitamin A and K and trace elements Selenium, Chromium, Iron and Zinc.
 
# 25. CARDAMOM. .

Cardamom is one of the world’s very ancient spices. It is native to the East originating in the forests of the western ghats in southern India, where it grows wild.

Today it also grows in Sri Lanka, Guatemala, Indo China and Tanzania. The ancient Egyptians chewed cardamom seeds as a tooth cleaner; the Greeks and Romans used it as a perfume.

Vikings came upon cardamom about one thousand years ago, in Constantinople, and introduced it into Scandinavia, where it remains popular to this day.

Cardamom is an expensive spice, second only to saffron. It is often adulterated with many inferior substitutes.

Indian cardamom is known in two main varieties: Malabar cardamom and Mysore cardamom. The Mysore variety contains higher levels of cineol and limonene and hence is more aromatic

cardamom is attributed with many Medicinal Properties.It is a stimulant and cure for flatulence. Cardamom is used in Western medicine as a flavoring base for medicinal preparations for indigestion and flatulence.

The Arabs attributed aphrodisiac qualities to it as it features regularly in the Arabian Nights.The ancient Indians regarded it as a cure for obesity. It has been used to help digestion since ancient times.
 
# 26. CAYENNE PEPPER. .

The cayenne pepper is also known as the Guinea spice, Cow Horn Pepper, bird pepper. Its powdered form is red pepper, a hot red power used to flavor dishes and used for medicinal purpose.

It is named after the city of Cayenne in French Guiana. It is a cultivar of Capsicum annuum related to bell peppers, jalapenos and others.

The fruits are generally dried and ground, or pulped and baked into cakes, which are then ground and sifted to make the powdered spice of the same name.

Cayenne is used in cooking as a powder or in its whole form or in a thin sauce. It is also used as a herbal supplement.

Cayenne is a popular spice in a variety of cuisines. It is employed variously in its fresh form, dried and powdered, and as dried flakes. It is also a key ingredient in a variety of hot sauces, particularly those employing vinegar as a preservative

Cayenne pepper is rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin B6, Vitamin E, Vitamin C., Riboflavin, Potassium and Manganese.
 
# 27. CHICORY. .

Chicory (Cichorium intybus) is a hardy perennial which came to North America from Europe in the 1700s.Though chicory has a variety of uses, it's best known for its association with coffee.

Whenever coffee became unavailable or too costly, people turned to roasted chicory, roasted acorns, yams and a variety of local grains as substitutes.

The root of the chicory plant is long and thick, like the tap-root of the dandelion. When dried, roasted and ground, it makes an excellent substitute for coffee.

Though is no caffeine in chicory, it produces a more 'roasted' flavor than coffee does. Many coffee blends with up to 30% chicory, cut down on the caffeine content of our cup. But many folk enjoy a cup of 'coffee' made entirely from chicory.

Chicory is more soluble in water than coffee.Very economical for someone on a tight budget.

Chicory offers extra health benefits that we normally do not get from our cup of coffee. It helps to cleanse the blood and improve the health of liver.

The young leaves can be used in salads, and the root can also be boiled and eaten like a vegetable. It's also grown for cattle food in Europe.

The blue-purple are time watchers and will open and close exactly at the same time every day!!
 
# 28. CHILLI PEPPER. .
Chili pepper (chilli, chilli pepper, chillie, chili, and chile) is the fruit of plants from Genus Capsicum. Americas was the origin of Chili peppers. Later chili pepper spread across the world and was used in both food and medicine.

Chili peppers have been a part of the human diet in the Americas since at least 7500 BC. One of the first Europeans to encounter them was Christopher Columbus and he called them "peppers" because they had a spicy hot taste unlike other foodstuffs.

Upon their introduction into Europe chilies were grown as botanical curiosities in the gardens of Spanish and Portuguese monasteries.

But the monks experimented with the chilies' culinary potential and were happy to discovered that their pungency offered a substitute for black peppercorns. At that black peppers time were so costly that they were used as legal currency in some countries.

Eating chili is viewed as a warrior’s ritual in Japan because of its spiciness that gives individual fear and mental block. By forcing themselves to eat chili, warriors’ mental state gets stronger and may even feel invincible when stepping onto the battlefield.

Eating chili has been a popular practice among the karate athletes who use it to strengthen their minds and determination.

Capsaicin is a safe and effective in the management of arthritis pain, herpes zoster-related pain, diabetic neuropathy, post mastectomy pain, and headaches.

Capsaicin extracted from chillies is used as a non lethal irritant spray.
 
# 29. CINNAMON.

Cinnamon has a long history both as a spice and as a medicine. It is the oldest spice known to man. It had been used both as a flavoring agent and an embalming agent by the ancient Egyptians.

Cinnamon is the brown bark of the cinnamon tree, which is available in its dried tubular form known as a quill or as ground powder.

The two varieties of cinnamon, Chinese and Ceylon, have similar flavor, however the cinnamon from Ceylon is slightly sweeter and more refined.

Cinnamon contains Manganese, Iron, Calcium and fibers. It has several medicinal properties.

1. It is an anti clotting agent.
2. It has anti microbial actions.
3. It controls blood sugar.
4. It boosts the brain function by its pleasant smell.
5. It protects the colon from colon cancer.
6. It protects us from heart diseases.
7. It has a warming quality which makes it very useful in winter season.

Cinnamon can be stored in air tight glass containers in a cool, dark and dry place of in a refrigerator.
 
# 30 . CLOVES. .

 The word ‘clove’ is from the Latin word for ‘nail’ – clavus. The clove is native to the North Moluccas, the Spice Islands of Indonesia. It is cultivated in Brazil, the West Indies, Mauritius, Madagascar, India, Sri Lanka and Zanzibar.

The Chinese have recorded about cloves as early as 400 BC. In 200 BC of courtiers kept cloves in their mouths to avoid offending the emperor while addressing him. Arab traders delivered cloves to the Romans.

Cloves are the immature unopened flower buds of a tropical tree. When fresh, they are pink, dried, they turn to a rust-brown color.

They measure 12 to 16 mm (1/2” to 5/8”) long. They resemble small nails, with a tapering stem. The large end of the clove is the four-pointed flower bud.

Cloves are attributed with several medicinal properties:
1. Clove can cure stomach ulcers, vomiting, flatulence and stimulate the digestive system.
2. It has powerful local antiseptic and mild anesthetic actions.
3. Clove contains antioxidants. Antioxidants help prevent the cell damage that eventually causes cancer.
4. Sucking cloves helps to curb the desire for alcohol .
5. Clove has Anti fungal and anti microbial properties.
6. Is an aphrodisiac.
7. Clove is a mouth freshener and controls tooth aches.
 
# 31. CORIANDER SEEDS .
Coriander is one of the most used and versatile of all the spices and herbs. Coriander seeds are considered a spice while coriander leaves, or cilantro is an aromatic herb.

The flavor of the leaves and the seeds are completely different.Outside of Asia, coriander seed is used for pickling vegetables, and making sausages in Germany and South Africa .

In Russia and Central Europe coriander seed is an occasional ingredient in bread made of rye. Coriander seeds are used in brewing certain styles of beer. The coriander seeds are used with orange peel to add a citrus character
Medical benefits:
 1. Is an anti oxidant.
 2.contains fatty acids ans essential oils.
 3.Contains dietary fiber 42 percent by weight.
 4. Protects colon.
 5. Contains Iron, Copper, Calcium, Potassium, Manganese, Magnesium and Zinc.
 6.Contains Vitamin C, B complex with Thiamine, Riboflavin, Niacin.

 
Also in south indian homes the fresh coriander leaves in large quantity is used with tamarind,dried chillies and other ingredients to make the mouth watering side dish for thayir saadam known as காருப்பு which is also known as கொத்தமல்லி தொக்கு
 
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Visalakshi Ramani said:
# 27. CHICORY. .

Chicory (Cichorium intybus) is a hardy perennial which came to North America from Europe in the 1700s.Though chicory has a variety of uses, it's best known for its association with coffee.

Whenever coffee became unavailable or too costly, people turned to roasted chicory, roasted acorns, yams and a variety of local grains as substitutes.

The root of the chicory plant is long and thick, like the tap-root of the dandelion. When dried, roasted and ground, it makes an excellent substitute for coffee.

Though is no caffeine in chicory, it produces a more 'roasted' flavor than coffee does. Many coffee blends with up to 30% chicory, cut down on the caffeine content of our cup. But many folk enjoy a cup of 'coffee' made entirely from chicory.

Chicory is more soluble in water than coffee.Very economical for someone on a tight budget.

Chicory offers extra health benefits that we normally do not get from our cup of coffee. It helps to cleanse the blood and improve the health of liver.

The young leaves can be used in salads, and the root can also be boiled and eaten like a vegetable. It's also grown for cattle food in Europe.

The blue-purple are time watchers and will open and close exactly at the same time every day!!
Click to expand...

I am under the impression that chicory is bad for health. I thought it is a "cheap substitute" to coffee. So, there is no harm in having chicory?
 
Chicory offers extra health benefits that we normally do not get from our cup of coffee. It helps to cleanse the blood and improve the health of liver.

Dear Mr. Siva,
Obviously Chicory is more beneficial than coffee and also fits in the poor man's budget better. :)
with warm regards,
V.R.
 
dear Mr. S.S,
You said it right.
I and my husband bought coffee in a hospital canteen two days ago.
We paid Rs 10 for a 50 ml cup!
So how much will a liter cost???
Funny thing is that I saw a man buying 10 coffees for Rs 100 in a small flask.
Proves that the cost of what we really want hardly matters!
with best wishes,
V.R.
 
# 32. CULANTRO .

 Culantro (Eryngium foetidum) is a culinary and medicinal leafy green herb commonly used throughout the West Indies, Latin America and many Asian countries.

The herb is mainly used as a seasoning in the preparation of a range of foods including vegetable and meat dishes, sauces, chutneys and preserves.

In addition to its culinary usage, E. foetidum is commonly used for its medicinal properties, among them as an anti-inflammatory and analgesic.

Culantro is a tender perennial and is grown as an annual in the Northeastern U.S. Since it is frost sensitive and can take up to three weeks to germinate, transplants are recommended for the cultivation of Eryngium foetidum in the Northeast.

Germination can take 3 weeks or longer even with bottom heat supplied at 75°F. The plants should be set out after the danger of frost has passed.

Transplants should be spaced 4 - 6 inches within the row and no closer than 6 inches apart between the rows. It is recommended to use the same fertilizer used for other leafy greens.

When culantro begins to produce flowers, the leaves become tough and less suitable for eating. The harvest is achieved by cutting the entire rosette at soil level. The flower stalks must be pruned regularly in order to maintain vegetative growth and maximize yields.
 
BETEL LEAF.

The Betel is the leaf of a vine belonging to the Piperaceae family. Pepper is another well known member of this family.
Betel is a mild stimulant with medicinal properties.

The betel plant is an evergreen perennial creeper. It has glossy heart-shaped leaves. The betel plant originated from South and South East Asia.

The other Indian names of this leaf are :-

1. Paan in Assamese, Hindi, Urdu, Odia and Bengali.

2. Taambula in Sanskrit.

3.Vetrilai in Tamil,

4. Vettila in Malayalam,

5. Tamalapaku in Telugu.

6. Veeleyada yele in Kannada.

Medicinal properties of betel leaf:-

1. Removed bad breath.

2. Cures worms.

3. Has aphrodisiac properties.

4. Can be used to treat head aches,

5. Reduces arthritic pain,

6.Reduces joint pain.

7. Has anti biotic properties.

8. Promotes digestion.

9. Aids breast feeding mothers,

10.Relieves constipation.

Eat more paan for better health, but do not forget to

brush your teeth after eating them for better looks! :)
 
Visalakshi Ramani said:
BETEL LEAF.

The Betel is the leaf of a vine belonging to the Piperaceae family. Pepper is another well known member of this family.
Betel is a mild stimulant with medicinal properties.

The betel plant is an evergreen perennial creeper. It has glossy heart-shaped leaves. The betel plant originated from South and South East Asia.

The other Indian names of this leaf are :-

1. Paan in Assamese, Hindi, Urdu, Odia and Bengali.

2. Taambula in Sanskrit.

3.Vetrilai in Tamil,

4. Vettila in Malayalam,

5. Tamalapaku in Telugu.

6. Veeleyada yele in Kannada.

Medicinal properties of betel leaf:-

1. Removed bad breath.

2. Cures worms.

3. Has aphrodisiac properties.

4. Can be used to treat head aches,

5. Reduces arthritic pain,

6.Reduces joint pain.

7. Has anti biotic properties.

8. Promotes digestion.

9. Aids breast feeding mothers,

10.Relieves constipation.

Eat more paan for better health, but do not forget to

brush your teeth after eating them for better looks! :)
Click to expand...

Now I know why when I was in college Paanwala used to stare at us girls while he kept chewing betel leaves refer to medicinal properties point No 3.
 
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For the very same reason the Brahmacharis were forbidden from chewing paan!

On the wedding day the groom is allowed to eat/ chew paan for the very first

time in his life !!

I have heard of a special paan called

"Palang thodnewaala paan"!!!

For the sake of those who do not know HIndi:-

Palang = cot.

Thodnewaala = the one who is capable of breaking!

P.S.

Dear Renu!

People will stare at a glam-mam like you--- Paan or NO paan!! :)
 
Just a point to note:Never sleep with a Betel Quid in the mouth overnight or dont store the quid in a corner of the mouth as its a major cause for Oral Carcinoma.
Once you are done chewing it..just spit it out.
 
Visalakshi Ramani said:
For the very same reason the Brahmacharis were forbidden from chewing paan!

On the wedding day the groom is allowed to eat/ chew paan for the very first

time in his life !!

I have heard of a special paan called

"Palang thodnewaala paan"!!!

For the sake of those who do not know HIndi:-

Palang = cot.

Thodnewaala = the one who is capable of breaking!

P.S.

Dear Renu!

People will stare at a glam-mam like you--- Paan or NO paan!! :)
Click to expand...

Dear VR Ji,

That Paanwala was too much.His language also was real bad.He would be teaching all the guys nonsense and he used to sell Paan 420 some "lethal" combination types.
 
Dear Renu!

He must have been a 420 himself. :spy:

So he chose to sell Paan 420 to guys along with :loco:

the necessary nonsense that goes with the Paan! :crazy:

V.R.
 
Persons visiting ASSAM and other parts of North EAST should be careful while taking betul leaves with wet kottapakku inside.They are a nice people and offer betul leaves generously to Guests.I was not accustommed to take betul leaves except'Meeta Pan'after heavy meals.
When I took the betul leave with wet supari,my entire body started sweating and I was feeling hot inside my body.I requested them not to offer me betul leaves with wet supari.
 
Dear Sir,

After one of the heavy dinners arranged by our Officer's club, one lady took a

second pan since it was really irresistible and fainted right away. She had to be

taken to the hospital and given some first aid and treatment. :faint:

I myself feel choking sensation if ever I get tempted by a second pan!

Irresistible dangerous article! :fear:

with warm regards,
V.R.
 
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