South Indian Tradition and Benefits of Eating Food on Banana Leaves #southindian

In several south Indian states, it is traditional to serve food on banana leaves. Guests are given the top part of the leaf while family members are given the lower parts. Everybody sits together on the floor and eats with their hands. Rice, meat, vegetables, lentils, curries and pickles are all served on the same leaf, since it is large enough to accommodate a whole meal. Eating on banana leaves is a custom that dates back thousands of years, however its benefits are still relevant today. Banana leaves are packed with plant-based compounds called polyphenols such as epigallocatechin gallate, or EGCG, which is also found in green tea. Polyphenols are natural antioxidants that battle free radicals and prevent diseases. While banana leaves are not easy to digest if eaten directly, the food absorbs the polyphenols from the leaves, so that you get the benefit of the nutrition. Banana leaves have a waxy coating that has a subtle but distinct flavor. When hot food is placed on the leaves, the wax melts and lends its flavor to the food, making it taste better. Since plates are washed with soap and water, traces of the chemicals in the soap may still remain on the plates, contaminating your food. Banana leaves just need to be rinsed with a little water, and do not need to be washed with soap, so your food will be chemical-free.