banana leaves

From cooking to cleaning, discover how every part of the banana plant is used in Indian households — sustainably and smartly.

Wondering why Indians cook food in banana leaves? Scientific research has revealed some interesting facts about its many health benefits.

Traditionally eaten in many parts of India, banana stems are packed with flavour and nutrition. According to this research paper, they are also great for weight loss and controlling diabetes.

Sipping steaming chai in a Kulhad while the grandmother stitched cloth bags and mother ground ginger and chilli paste on a silbatta surely remains a favourite childhood memory for many.

About 50,000 plastic containers are used on a daily basis in the city, and what is worse, about 90 per cent of these show up in biodegradable waste collected by waste collectors.

It was only later when I found that the tradition of eating not only from banana plantains but most leaves is a tradition that dates back centuries.