Can you imagine sweet without sour, black without white or ice without water? It’s hard. The same mix of yin and yang has continued in typical Indian cuisine in the incredible coexistence of chili and powdered brown sugar.
No experienced housewife in our country would dare to prepare a chutney without the perfect ratio of both extremes in the recipe. The same goes for most chutneys, sandwich toppings, sauces, pickles, soups, and even legume preparations.
The strong flavors that these ingredients individually pack are amplified when opposites begin to complement a dish. To enjoy the good heat of pure red chilli, what better way to enhance it with a touch of brown sugar and vice versa. It’s no wonder that even ice cream brands have started incorporating a chili sundae onto their tempting shelves.
However, this is not all about the taste. Red chillies contain a wide variety of health-promoting parts such as capsaicin, vitamin C, carotenoids, and some vital antioxidants. The presence of healthy compounds makes them useful for many bodily functions and metabolic processes. Therefore, they are particularly important in cases of inflammation, nervous disorders, arthritis, psoriasis, etc. They are also useful in problems such as cholesterol, coagulation, triglycerides, platelet formation, free radical formation, lung disorders, etc. due to the presence of cayenne. In addition, they help in aspects such as the treatment of congestion, the strengthening of immunity, the treatment of mucosal infections, stomach ulcers, etc.
They are also useful in the treatment of diabetes (especially the risk of hyperinsulinemia) and in the maintenance of an adequate weight.
Choosing organic varieties ensures that irradiation problems are resolved. One can choose from a wide variety of dry options now available that can be tailored or chosen according to one’s comfort with pungency levels and the type of recipes being prepared.
Similarly, jaggery powder can be enjoyed not only for its flavor and complementary benefits, but also for its health benefits such as aiding digestion, treating constipation, etc. Jaggery powder is also a solid source of minerals and other important nutrients while providing good calories and strength to the body without damaging it like refined sugar does. Here it is advisable to collect derivatives of the date palm or coconut. Unlike sugar, which is a simple carbohydrate; Jaggery is a complex carbohydrate and therefore a good source of healthy calories without the side effects of weight gain. Speaking of weight, the presence of potassium in brown sugar powder helps balance electrolytes and thus aids in weight loss.
Other minerals such as iron, folic acid, magnesium, selenium, zinc, etc. they are also deep into this little pleasure which makes it ideal for maintaining good hemoglobin levels, maintaining immunity, treating anemia and bone disorders, etc.
Jaggery is especially used in the treatment of cough, cold and joint pain. It is extremely beneficial as a liver detoxifier and blood cleanser as well. This is a food that tempts and treats people of all ages and palates alike.
So, restock your pack of organic jaggery and red chili powder today. Keep enjoying the wonders of this incredible friendship between two names that almost seem like enemies but turn out to be cousins disguised in a well-made recipe.