Not just banana, eating food on these leaves is healthy too

For a change, forget your plush crockery rack in the kitchen and think of eating on fresh leaves! Sounds exciting or bizarre? Well, to the young generation, this might sound bizarre, but the elders of the family might associate with the fact and health benefits of eating on fresh leaves. Yes, you heard it right. Eating on leaves have numerous health benefits that can keep you fit and fine always. Read below the tradition of eating on the leaves, their health benefits and the plethora of varieties we are blessed with.

This is not a new trend where people eat on fresh or dry leaves. In olden days, family gatherings and functions saw the concept of eating on ‘Pattal’ or ‘Patravali. It is an Indian eating plate made with dried broad leaves of Sal or Banyan tree and is stitched with tiny wooden sticks. These plates are very popular in rural regions of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal and Karnataka.

With the change in standard of living of people, the mode of offering food to the Almighty has also changed. At present, we use plates and bowls made of precious metals, but in olden days, crockery made with dried leaves were considered pious and on festivals, they were used to offer food to Gods and Goddesses. Apart from this, fresh banana leaves were also used to offer food to deities.

If you think that dried sal, banyan, and fresh banana leaves are the only leaves that can be used to serve food, then you need to scroll below and see the plethora of options we Indians are blessed with. Trust us and you might end up ditching your favourite glass and steel crockery.

They are packed with a natural antioxidants called polyphenols and when warm food is served on the fresh leaves, they get absorbed in the food and provide all necessary benefits. They are also rich in antibacterial properties, vitamin A, calcium, and carotene.

Rich in antioxidants, the oval leaves of jackfruit are most commonly used in southern parts of India. They are not only used for serving but are also used for cooking food, as food can be wrapped inside them and steamed. The steaming process leaches out the phytonutrient and lowers the risk of cancer and other heart diseases. They also support detoxification and control diabetes.

Commonly found at pani puri stalls to serve the popular snack, these leaves are rich in natural fibre and their astringent property makes them ideal for the healthy and glowing skin. According to experts, these leaves also have a natural form of glucose, that when consumed with food enhances the taste of the food.

Rich in alkaloids, these leaves are a natural cure for diarrhoea, and also improve heart health and overall blood circulation in the body. Just like jackfruit leaves, these leaves are only used for cooking and if you have never tried, try cooking sticky rice in it and see the magic.

While we all know that eating in copper and steel is good for health, the whole idea of eating on leaves is truly exciting and reminds of the olden days when family functions had the tradition of serving food on ‘Pattal’. So, are you willing to relish the exotic dishes on the fresh leaves? If yes, then try it and don’t forget to share an image with us on the social media.