Goodness of Nature

Malayan Apple

As the name suggests Malayan Apple is a native of Malaysia. It is also a native of Malaysia’s neighboring countries…

Banana – Plantain

I could not believe when the Banana - Plantain plant that was growing in one patch of our garden flowered…

Tamarind Tree

Childhood memories of preparing and devouring Chigali (tamarind sweet-sour lollipop) flash as I write about this tree. I also remember…

String Beans

String beans, French beans also known as Runner beans is a vegetable that is used in cuisines across the globe…

Corn – Maize

As you travel from South India to North India, you will come across many corn fields. There is an increase…

Jungle Jalebi

I found Jungle Jalebi the perfect name for Pithecellobium dulce known as Malnad Hunchikayi in North Karnataka and Seeme Hunase…

Ber the Indian Jujube Tree

I remember an old lady whom we used to address as “Ajji” (grandma) selling Ber the Indian Jujube Tree (Yelachi…

Bamboo

Presence of Bamboo in most of the South Indian wild life sanctuaries like Bandipur, Madumalai, Bhadra, Nagarhole, Tholpetty, and Kabini…

Jackfruit

The Jackfruit tree is an evergreen tree belonging to Moraceae family and the botanical name is Artocarpus heterophyllus. Jackfruit is…

Sugarcane

I remember in childhood feasting on Sugarcanes during Shankranthi festival as it is a custom in Karnataka to distribute a…

Thai Basil

Botanical name is Ocimum basilicum. Thai Basil plant grows up to 3 feet in height and has purple-green wide, lance-like…

Coffee Break – Coffee Plant – Coffee Tree

“Coffee should be black as hell, strong as death, and sweet as love." – Turkish Porverb Reading newspaper in the…

Beetroot

Beetroot is cultivated widely across the world as it is one of the most popular vegetables used in a variety of…

Okra – Ladies Finger – Bhindi

Also known as Okra, Bhindi (Hindi), Bhendekayi (Kannada) is a very popular vegetable in India. It is grown all over…

Peanuts

Peanuts or Groundnuts belongs to the legume family Fabaceae. Botanical name is Archis Hypogaea. Hypogaea means below the earth. In…

Orchid – Vanilla Planifolia – Vanilla Plant

Everyone loves Vanilla Ice-cream and this flavor goes well when served with any of the Indian sweets like Gulab Jamoon,…

Chickpea – Channa

Chickpea also known as Kadale in Kannada, Channa in Hindi and other common names are Bengal Gram, Garbanzo Bean, and…

Sandalwood Tree

I remember guests who would visit us at Mysore would always wish to take away a Sandalwood article as a…

Sesame Seeds

"Open sesame", the famous phrase from the Arabian Nights, reflects the distinguishing feature of the sesame seed pod, which bursts…

Preparation of Kadalepuri – Puffed Rice

Kadalepuri / Puffed Rice / Murmura is prepared from rice and it is something that can be eaten anytime anywhere.…