Banana leaf rice

Banana leaf rice is a traditional method of serving rice dishes in South Indian cuisine.^[1] Due to the migration of South Indians, banana leaf rice can also be found in areas with significant ethnic South Indian diaspora like Malaysia and Singapore.

In banana leaf meals, white rice (or parboiled rice in authentic South Indian restaurants) is served on a banana leaf with an assortment of vegetables, pickles, papadum and other regional condiments (usually sour, salty and/or spicy). The banana leaf acts as a disposable plate and it in itself is not consumed. The choice of banana leaves is mainly due to the broad leaves as well as to the ubiquity of the plant in South India. Typically, only vegetarian gravy (e.g. sambar) will be served on the rice as it is meant to be a traditional vegetarian dish. However, sometimes boiled eggs, curried and/or fried meat or seafood are served as well. Traditionally there will be two servings of rice, with the first being served with gravy, side dishes and condiments whilst the second serving will be just rice with curd as a palate cleanser.

Banana leaf meals are eaten with hand. Banana leaf meal etiquette also dictates that, after the meal, the guest must always fold the banana leaf inwards as a sign of gratitude to the host, even when the host is the proprietor of an eatery. However, when meals are served at funeral wakes, the leaf is folded outwards as a sign of condolence to the family of the deceased. Due to this, folding the leaf outwards is considered rude in any other circumstance. In Malaysia, some Malaysians of non-Indian origin sometimes fold their banana leaf outward as a sign of dissatisfaction with an eatery's banana leaf meal. This is due to the erroneous belief that folding the leaf inwards or outwards is a way of rating the meal.

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Kayi Saasive Anna (Coconut Mustard Rice)

Here is the traditional way of serving food on plantain leaves in the traditional Madhwa Shivalli Brahmin style (Photo & information courtesy: udupipages. Thanks for their effort)

1. Uppu (Salt)
2. Uppinakai (Pickles)
3. Chutney Pudi (Chutney Powder) (Note*)
4. Kosumbri (Green Gram Salad)
5. Kosumbri (Bengal Gram Salad)
6. Kayi Chutney (Coconut Chutney)
7. Pallya1 (Vegetable Stirfry 1)
8. Pallya2 (Vegetable Stirfry 2)
9. Chitranna (Lemon Rice) /Kayi Saasive Anna (Coconut Mustard Rice)
10. Happala (Papad)
11. Sandige (Crispies)
12. Kadubu (Steamed Rice Cake)
13. Anna (Rice)
14. Thovve (Dal)
15. Sihigojju (Raitha)
16. Saru (Rasam)
17. Uddinahittu (Black Gram Paste)
18. BadanePodi (Brinjal Pakoda)
19. Menaskai (Sweet And Sour Gravy)
20. Goli Baje (Maida Fry)
21. Avial (Vegetable Mix)
22. Gatti Baje (Ladies Finger Pakoda)
23. Gulla Koddel (Brinjal Sambar)
24. Sweet-1
25. Gojjambade (Masalwada Curry)
26. Sweet-2 to sweet-N (minimum would be 4 types of sweets)
27. Vangi Bath (Vegetable Bhath)
28. Bharatha (Sour Ginger Gravy)
29. Paradi Payasa (Sweet)
30. Mosaru (Curds)
31. Majjige (Butter Milk)

http://www.wikihow.com/Eat-Food-on-Banana-Leaf

Why is traditional food served on a banana leaf in the states of South India?

Especially in the southern Indian states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala. Is it only because there is wide availability of these leaves in these states or historic/religious reasons also apply?

1. It is one of the most eco-friendly, disposable food serving systems. It degrades quickly and unlike a metallic/porcelain utensil, it requires very little cleaning with water or soap. Great for a water  scarce India. 
2. It is healthy. The antioxidants (polyphenols) in banana leaf is reported to help fight cancer. http://www.livestrong.com/articl.... Another research says the leaf contains polyphenol oxidase that help fight Parkinson's disease. http://ejournal.sinica.edu.tw/bb... Banana leaves are also used in some ayurvedic medicinal preparations. By serving hot food on a banana leaf, one could get a lot of those good stuff although the leaf is hard to digest for human when eaten as-is.
3. It  is hygienic. A simple sprinkling of water is enough to clean a banana  leaf. When you are eating at places with questionable hygiene it always  preferable to eat in a banana leaf than an inadequately cleaned plate.
4. It is practical. Other leaves are too small to have food in and Indian population is too big to have everybody use plastic utensils without screwing up the environment in a big way.
5. It is waterproof. South Indian foods involve a lot of liquids and many other bio materials don't fit in easily.
6. The leaves can be quite big and is great to present the diverse food stuffs in a South Indian menu. Most plates are not good in this aspect.
7. Since the leaf can hold a large volume of food, it requires less rounds of serving and thus it is easy when you are serving parties of 1000s of people (not unusual in Indian weddings).
8. It adds a nice aroma to the food and improves the taste of some foods like rasam (Indian soup).

Finally, we love to follow the ways of our ancestors (especially when they are right). It is nice to have a bit of history and culture when you are dealing with something as fundamental as food.

Source: http://www.quora.com/Why-is-traditional-food-served-on-a-banana-leaf-in-the-states-of-South-India

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Banana Leaves: Indian way of eating

In Hindu culture people used to eat from banana leaf. A banana leaf is a long leaf which has a long rib in the middle. Banana Trees are considered to be sacred tree. It is used all celebration like marriages, temple functions etc. Planting a banana tree in front of the house is considered very important. 

The banana leaf is also a practical kitchen tool. As a food wrapper, it functions like a plastic wrap, parchment paper, and aluminum foil to prevent drying, sticking and retaining heat. You can lay a banana leaf down and serve food on it like a plate or placemat, and fold it into various shapes as to-go containers. It's also great for lining steamer trays to prevent sticking. It's bio-degradable too. 

Banana leaves are so large they are used as umbrellas during monsoon season. The leaf also makes an attractive serving platter because of its size and sturdiness. The shrub produces only one leaf per month in winter and three to four per month in summer.

Cultural Beliefs:

A traditional meal on a banana leaf is a must at any South Indian celebration.one has to eat carbohydrates (rice) first, then protein (dal), iron-rich vegetables and fat (curd). This is the order in which food is served and consumed as well. It is even more traditional to sit on the floor on a mat and eat one’s food. One has to squat as if one is sitting in the padmasana (lotus) pose.

Eating from a banana leaf is considered hygienic and healthy. Any guest can be served on a banana leaf which is considered humble and respectful.

Benefits:

• Eating food served on banana leaf is found to be healthy. Serving hot food on banana leaf will emanate important nutrients from the leaf which will be mixed with the food and will be eaten. This is considered to be very good for health.
• In the past there were no plates available; banana leaves were easily available and were large enough to contain all the food. Also, there is no particular smell in the leaf that can put you off.
• Leaves are easily disposable and environment friendly. Even burning the leaves, the ozone layers are not affected.

Scientific Reasons:

Banana leaves contain large amounts of polyphenols such as epigallocatechin gallate, or EGCG, also found in green tea. Polyphenols are natural antioxidants found in many plant based foods. 

According to an article by Augustin Scalbert and colleagues published in the January 2005 issue of the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition," extensive research is ongoing to help determine the extent of how polyphenols affect human cells, the oxidative process and its impact on disease prevention.

Other Reasons:

As there is no chemical reaction, the food keeps its value intact: it can endure heat and react well without tearing apart from the heat. 

The green leaf adds value to food (just like any other greens) and it contains the leafy taste to make it better

Source: http://theancientindia.blogspot.in/2012/07/banana-leaves.html

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The Nutritional Value of Banana Leaves

ooks in Asia and India have use banana leaves in many of the same ways Western chefs use aluminum foil or parchment paper. According to an article on the Sampradaya Sun news site, banana leaves do not grow on trees but are actually the leaves of a large herbal shrub.

Significance

In India, banana leaves are so large they are used as umbrellas during monsoon season. They are used as natural food wrappers when steaming, grilling and baking different types of food. The leaf also make an attractive serving platter because of its size and sturdiness. The shrub produces only one leaf per month in winter and three to four per month in summer.

Nutrients

In addition to their value as food wrappers for cooking, banana leaves contain large amounts of polyphenols such as epigallocatechin gallate, or EGCG, also found in green tea. Polyphenols are natural antioxidants found in many plant based foods. According to an article by Augustin Scalbert and colleagues published in the January 2005 issue of the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition," extensive research is ongoing to help determine the extent of how polyphenols affect human cells, the oxidative process and its impact on disease prevention.

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Advantages Of Eating Food In Banana Leaf.

In This Modern And Fast Growing World , We Are Losing Our Traditions And Customs In India.Eating Food In Banana Leaf Is One In That.This Practice Have So Many Advantages And Good For Human Life.

1.Banana Leafs Are Cheaper Than The Plastic Items Like Papers And Cups.
2.Banana Leaves Are Easily Destroyable And Dilute In Earth In Rapidly.These Are Environmental Friends.
3.Usage Of Water Is Very Less While Comparing With Plastic And Steel Items For Cleaning Purpose.
4.Ayurveda Gives Most Important To Banana Leaf.It Is Widely Used In Many Treatments.
5.We Can Cut The Leaves In Different Sizes As We Like It.
This Is The One Of The Best Tradition For Telugu People Culture.
6.By Eating Food Daily In Banana Leaf And Sitting On The Floor, Will Acts As Best Remedy For Joint Pains.
7.This Will Help To Farmers To Earn More Income.
8.Hindu Traditions Are Suggesting This Practice.

We Can See This Culture Widely In Tamilnadu Hotels, Houses ,And Marriages Even In So Many Functions.This Is The Best Culture For Everyone.Glsobal Warming Is The Biggest Problem In Now A Days.The Main Reason Is Usage Of Plastics,These Are Not Easily Destroyable In Earth.It Will Damages The Ground Water Levels.So Try To Follw It.By Using This You Will Indirectly Helps To The Environment.

Source: http://swamulu.blogspot.com/2013/06/advantages-of-eating-food-in-banana-leaf.html

So eat healthy and live healthy.

Others sources: wikipedia and internet related searches