What is 'Teflon Flu' and How Does Traditional Indian Cookware Offer a Safe, Non-Stick Solution?

Have you ever heard of Teflon flu? 

Above 300 degrees Celsius, the Teflon coating of your beloved non-stick pan begins to break down, releasing toxic fumes into the air. Inhaling these fumes could lead you to experience symptoms of polymer fume fever — shivering, sore throat, weakness, and elevated body temperature. 

Every chef’s dream is a frictionless surface on which vegetables and meats can glide effortlessly. For years, Teflon-coated pans have made this possible. 

But at what cost?

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An ingenious substitute to this is the terracotta cookware used by the Dhanak tribe in Gujarat. They’ve found a way to keep the ‘forever chemical’ Teflon at bay, by opting for a lac-based alternative. Made from the secretion of the Laccifer lacca insect, the coating is applied to clay cookware, providing it with a smooth, impervious finish. A bonus is that the cookware's non-stick surface requires less oil for cooking, promoting healthier meals.

This terracotta cookware could well be the advent needed in Indian kitchens. 

Edited by Khushi Arora