The humble Idli
A warm Sunday morning…waiting for a wonderful lip-smacking breakfast! The aroma, the texture, the taste, the color, everything perfect! The breakfast is none other than our humble Idli.
Idli is the healthiest food in the Indian cuisine. It is a round, white fluffy rice cake made of rice and urad dal. It is accompanied by a piping hot sambar, idli podi or chilli powder and some colourful chutnies. People of all ages, be it 6 months old or 60 years old, can relish it, and it is a perfect meal for any occasion: breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Idli’s Origin
Idli is a cultural icon of south India, but the fun fact is idli did not originate here. According to KT Achaya, a food historian, idli has its roots in Indonesia and that it came to India around 800 to 1200 CE. The origin of Idli is debated, as there is another claim that it actually came to India through the Arab settlers. However, modern day idli is totally different from how it was when it came to India.
Health benefits
We grind rice and urad dal, and ferment it for 10 to 12 hours, steam the batter for 10 to 12 mins. Since idlis are just steamed, they are very healthy. The ingredients of idli makes it a complete meal – rice gives us carbohydrates, urad dal gives us proteins and fiber, the sambar and chutney (idli’s best partners) act as a source of fats, minerals, and vitamins. A plate of four idlis gives us only 300 to 350 calories, which is very less compared to other breakfast items. Further, it contains no cholesterol, no saturated fats, and so is very good for the heart. The good bacteria present in the fermented batter helps maintain a healthy intestine that is very essential for a long and healthy life. Considering the health benefits of idli, WHO has recognized idli as the most healthiest and safest food.
Types of Idlis
There are around 185 varieties of idlis – some commonly known ones are mini idli, Kanchipuram idli, thatte idli, rava idli etc. One quick tip about Kanchipuram idli is that you should not eat it immediately after steaming it – allow for it cool down for at least 2 hours. The more it rests, the better it tastes!
World Idli Day
Considering all the nice things about idlis, every year March 30th is celebrated as Idli Day! World idli day is a brainchild of Mr.Eniyavan, restaurateur (founder of Mallipoo Idli), who in 2015, made 1328 types of idlis to celebrate the occasion. Service providers like Swiggy, Zomato, and Uber Eats provide discounts upto 30% on Idlis on this occasion every year!
Space Idli
The humble idli is not only served on earth, but it also has been to space. Our own Defense Food Research Laboratory (DFRL) has invented an idli along with chutney and sambar powder that can be eaten in space! The astronauts who get to eat this surely will have an out of world experience!
