Daily Dose Of Interesting Information

[Visalakshi Ramani]

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# 39. GINGER.

Ginger is a delicacy, a medicine and a spice! It is the rhizome of the plant Zingiber Officinale. Other important members of this plant family are turmeric and cardamom.

Ginger cultivation began in South Asia and spread to other places. It is sometimes called Root Ginger to distinguish it from other things that share the name ginger. Uses as medicine:

Ginger and a local sweetener made from palm tree juice are boiled together and taken to prevent the flu, in Burma.

A drink made with sliced ginger cooked in water with brown sugar is used to treat common cold.

In India ginger is applied as a paste to the temples to relieve headache. It is used to treat common cold.
Ginger with lemon and black salt is also used to control nausea.

A herbal preparation with ginger to reduce fatigue, reducing "winds" in the blood, prevent and cure rheumatism and control poor dietary habits in Indonesia.

In U.S.A, ginger is used to prevent motion sickness and morning sickness. It is also a dietary supplement.

Ginger is sliced in hot water as an infusion for stomach aches in Peru. Ginger stimulates the production of saliva, which makes swallowing easier.

 

[Visalakshi Ramani]

தமிழில் இஞ்சி என்பார்கள்
இஞ்சி என்றதும் நினைவுக்கு வருவன:

1. இஞ்சி இடுப்பழகி...
இஞ்சிக்கும் இடுப்புக்கும் என்ன தொடர்பு? :noidea:

2. இன்னொன்று தெலுங்கு பழமொழி
Amma ante allam
Pellam ante bellam !

allam = இஞ்சி
bellam = வெல்லம்
pellam = மனைவி!

அம்மா இஞ்சி போல...!
அகமுடையாள் வெல்லம் போல...! :hungry:

சுவையை விட்டுத் தள்ளுங்கள்!

உடலுக்கு எது நல்லது சொல்லுங்கள்!

 

[sadasivam.sridharan]

இஞ்சியையும் தனியாக சாப்பிட முடியாது . வெல்லத்தையும் தனியாக சாப்பிட முடியாது .இரண்டையும் கலந்தே சாப்பிட வேண்டும் .மனிதனுக்கு வேறு வழி இல்லை.

 

[sadasivam.sridharan]

Ginger in dry form which in Tamil is known as sukku is the main ingredient for preparing sukku vellam or sukku kashaayam which is an energy booster available only in Tamilnadu and Kerala

 

[Visalakshi Ramani]

Ginger in dry form which in Tamil is known as sukku is the main ingredient for preparing sukku vellam or sukku kashaayam which is an energy booster available only in Tamilnadu and Kerala

Nature's way of proving that if a man should live a happy and healthy life,

the ginger ( his mother) and the jaggery (his wife) should blend into a

smooth edible product!

 

[sadasivam.sridharan]

Dear Mrs.VR
Good analogy. On thing I am sure is that for preparing sukku vellam, jaggery is not used. It is karuppatti ( not sure of English name ) a byproduct from palm tree is used which gives a special aroma to the rural elixir.

 

[Visalakshi Ramani]

dear Mr. S.S.

karuppatti = palm chocolate. Cures Piththam, nausea and Vaayu problems.

Panag kalkandu = palm candy is good for the throat and voice of singers and

speakers.

After a heavy lunch we are given 'chukku maanam' -a mixture of dry ginger

power and jaggery.

Helps to digest the heavy meal - as in the case of Sumangali praarthanai etc.

with best wishes,
V.R.

 

[Visalakshi Ramani]

# 40. HORSE RADISH. .

Horseradish is a perennial plant of the Brassicaceae family. Mustard, Broccoli and cabbage also belong to this family.

The plant is probably native to south eastern Europe and western Asia, but is popular around the world today. It grows up to 1.5 meters (five feet) tall and is mainly cultivated for its large white, tapered root.

The intact horseradish root has hardly any aroma. When it is cut or grated, it develops an aroma.Once grated, if not used immediately, the root darkens and loses its pungency, It becomes unpleasantly bitter when exposed to air and heat.However it can be kept fresh by mixing with vinegar.

Horseradish sauce made from grated horseradish root, vinegar and cream is a popular condiment in the United Kingdom. It is usually served with roast beef but can be used in a number of other dishes including sandwiches and salads.

Also popular in the UK is a blend of mustard and grated horseradish. Prepared horseradish is a common ingredient in cocktails and in cocktail sauce. It is used as a sauce or spread on meat, chicken, fish and in sandwiches.

Horseradish is also used as a main ingredient for soups. Even in Japan, horseradish dyed green is often substituted for the more expensive wasabi traditionally served with sushi.

 

[Visalakshi Ramani]

Dear Friends,

As suggested by Mr. Brahmanyan, I am giving the Tamil names of the some of the spices and herbs I am writing about. It is not possible to get all the names- may be because they are not used in India. However I will on the look out for the missing names.

1. Ginger = இஞ்சி .
2. Carom seed = ஓமம் .
3. Almond = பாதாம் .
4. Green cardamom = ஏலக்காய் .
5. Black cardamom = கறுப்பு ஏலக்காய்.
6. Cinnamon = லவங்கப் பட்டை .
7. Coriander seed = கொத்தமல்லி விதை.
8. Spice mixture = கரம் மசாலா.
9. rose water = பன்னீர் .
10. Turmeric = மஞ்சள்.
11. Cilantro = பச்சைக் கொத்தமல்லி.
12. Terminalia Chebula = கடுக்காய்.
13. Asafoetida = பெருங்காயம் .
14. Tamarind = புளி.
15. Nutmeg = ஜாதிக்காய் .
16. Cumin = ஜீரகம் .
17. Licorice = அதிமதுரம்.
18. Curry leaf = கறிவேப்பிலை.
19. Sweet neem leaf = கறிவேப்பிலை .
20. Cashew = முந்திரி.
21. Pepper/ pepper corn = மிளகு.
22. Nigella seed = எள்.
23. Fenugreek leaf = வெந்தயக்கீரை.
24. Saffron = குங்குமப்பூ .
25. Dates = பேரீச்சை.
26. Poppy seeds = கசகச.
27. Garlic = பூண்டு.
28. Red chilli = வர மிளகாய் .
29. green chilli = பச்சை மிளகாய் .
30. Cloves = கிராம்பு .
31. Fenugreek seed = வெந்தயம் .
32. Mint = புதினா .
33. Onion = வெங்காயம் .
34. Long pepper = கண்டந்திப்பிலி .
35. White pepper = வெள்ளை மிளகு .
36. Mustard = கடுகு .
37. Fennel seed = பெருஞ்சீரகம் .
38. Caraway seeds = கருஞ்சீரகம் .
39. Dill = சதகுப்பி .
40. Dried ginger = சுக்கு .
41. Aniseed = சோம்பு .
42. Bay leaf = பட்டை இலை .
43. Sesame = எள்.
44. Black cumin = கரும் ஜீரகம் .
45. Holy basil = துளசி.

 

[sadasivam.sridharan]

Dear Mrs.VR
When I read about the horse radish I found it be interesting. However it was more like a riddle as I could not decipher what is it in India and how do we call it here.Kindly give its Indian name if it is an Indian vegetable. Thanks

 

[Visalakshi Ramani]

Dear Mr. S.S,

I could NOT get the name of Horseradish in Tamil-though I looked.

Probably it is not used in India.

It looks our Maahaani roots! The aroma is released only when the outer shin

is removed and the grated root should be used fresh!

Due to want of space and time, I have to limit the size of my posts.

You may Google search /visit Wikipedia for the images and more info on the

topic.

with best wishes,
V.R.

 

[SuryaKasyapa]

on ginger again..

these were the other situation word ginger -inji in Malayalam- was heard used in my childhood.

If a man is called in nickname as "inji"- that means he is short tempered.

"Injikondhan" - meant to be a stupid.
"Inji kadicha maathiri"- foolish looking....cheated looking...

"Inji iduppazhagi.." was a Tamil film song , and discussed for the real meaning of inji in the context..

"inji neer" (as in ' oh ! nee periya engineer poda oru inji neer') was a nick name to ridicule an engineer.

and so many for an Inji puraanam..

Yesterday I had the 'Chukku Malli Kaapi" with "AAchi"brand ready made
mix.

 

[Visalakshi Ramani]

Forgot to add the famous :becky:

"Inji thinna kurangu pola.." ?

 

[sadasivam.sridharan]

God knows what connection is there between inji and the waist line of a damsel

 

[Visalakshi Ramani]

Both are curvy in the proper places perhaps???

 

[B.Krishnamurthy]

I googled and found that the equivalent name in hindi for 'Horseradish' is "Sahijan/sajana".Further search shows tamil name is'Murungaika".
I am totally confused.

 

[Visalakshi Ramani]

Dear Sir,

Horseradish ia a root . It looks like our Maahaani kizhangu. No aroma

until scrapped /cut /grated. Turns dark and bitter exposed to light nd

heat and must be stored immersed in vinegar. Similar to our Maahaani

which should be put in lime juice.

In any case it can't be murungaikkai.

with warm regards,
V.R.

 

[Raji Ram]

Horseradish Plant and roots:

Photo courtesy: Wikipedia

 

[Raji Ram]

Yummy for some! :hungry:

Photo courtesy: Wikipedia

 

[sadasivam.sridharan]

Dear Ms.Raji Ram
Thanks for the pains taken for finding the name of the Horse radish root in indian languages.From the picture you have posted it looks like our maanga inji. Mrs.VR's assumption that it could be maahaani kizhangu also appears to be appropriate.Unless we taste the stuff and see for our self we will be in dark about its identity.

 

[Raji Ram]

From the picture you have posted it looks like our maanga inji. ............

Dear Sir,

Just copy pasted from Wikipedia!! Took about two minutes..

Maangaa Inji does not turn color or become bitter when exposed to light!

So 'it' can't be M I either! :spy:

Raji Ram

 

[Raji Ram]

Some more info. on M I:

MANGO-GINGER (Curcuma amada)

It is an under-exploited spice crop, which grows luxuriantly in tropical

soils with good drainage. The rhizomes of mango-ginger are used for

preparing pickles, chutney, preserve, candy, sauce and salad and in

meat and other culinary preparations. The rhizome has excellent

medicinal properties and finds extensive use in the indigenous

system of medicine. It is, appetizer, antipyretic, aphrodisiac and

laxative. It is useful in biliousness, itching, skin diseases, bronchitis,

asthma, hiccough and inflammation due to injuries. The rhizomes and

roots are carminative and stomachic and in crushed pulp form they

are applied over contusions, sprains and bruises for rapid healing.


Mango-ginger is botanically related to neither mango nor ginger, but

to turmeric (Curcuma longa). Morphologically mango-ginger plant is

similar to turmeric, but has shorter crop duration of six months. The

rhizomes are pale yellow inside with lighter colour outside, have

sweet smell of unripe mango when crushed. The crop comes up well

in open conditions, but tolerates low levels of shade and therefore

partially shaded situations can also be utilized for its cultivation. It

can be well accommodated as an intercrop in coconut gardens and in

rotation with other short duration crops like vegetables and also as a

crop component in homesteads.


Info got by google search!! :thumb:

 

[sadasivam.sridharan]

Dear Ms RR
Thanks for the information and for the additional posting about maanga inji

 

[Visalakshi Ramani]

A request for a special favour from Mrs. R. R. :yo:

on behalf of all the readers of this thread! :nerd:

Madam! Can you please give the pictures of all the herbs and spices

being talked about in this thread- as and when you can spare sometime?

Thank you in advance. ray2:
Readers of this thread.:grouphug:

 

[Raji Ram]

Ok sis.... Joot....

Aniseed. (page # 34, post # 339)