Why Traditional Cookware is Making a Comeback
There used to be a time when soapstone cookware or kalchattis, cast iron kadais, bronze uralis or rustic earthen cookware were the jewels that adorned the kitchens of our grandmothers. Then came the era of modern cookware when stainless steel and non-stick made their way into our homes. But now, traditional cookware is slowly winning back its place in urban Indian kitchens. And why not? People are re-discovering the many benefits of traditional Indian cookware.
For one, traditional Indian kitchenware made of stone, cast iron, and brass, etc. lend themselves beautifully to the Indian style of cooking. For example, soapstone pots or stone cookware have an incredible capacity to absorb moisture and promote heat circulation slowly and evenly through the dish, thanks to their natural porosity and insulation. Also, the aroma of the spices lingering in the natural pores and crevices of stoneware imparts a complex and rather inimitable flavour to the food being cooked. On the other hand, we have cast iron cookware that is almost legendary due to its excellent heat distribution and natural non-sticking properties.
Steel or non-stick cookware can never match up to the taste and aroma of food cooked in a clay or stone pot. Nor do they offer the heat retention of cast iron. These traditional kitchen utensils promise a far superior result. From sambar, rasam, kuzhambu, kootu, or a range of different curries, gravies, or stir-fries — every dish comes alive in its most authentic self when cooked the traditional way. And goes without saying, the taste will take you back to your childhood.
However, it’s not just about the taste. The dangers of modern cookware are many — from nickel and chromium leaching from stainless steel vessels, toxic fumes emanating from commercial non-stick coating to BPA in plastics leaking into food. Traditional cookware is a safer and more sustainable choice.
The health benefits of cooking in cast iron cookware and eating from utensils made of brass and copper are derived from the ancient wisdom of our ancestors and now supported by several studies. [1][2][3] Today, we have enough evidence that the use of traditional metal and stone cookware ups the nutrition levels of food, enriching every morsel with minerals that our bodies benefit from.
Now coming to the question of convenience, it’s true that steel and non-stick pans are easy to use and clean. It’s also true that it does require getting used to the proper ways of using traditional Indian kitchenware, but the long list of benefits more than makes up for it. Plus, with little care, traditional cookware items last for generations and turn out to be true ‘heirloom’ pieces. Compare that to the fact that steel and non-stick cookware need to be replaced quite frequently, and it’s not hard to see why people are going back to their roots and showing a newfound love for traditional cookware.
As one of the leading suppliers of traditional Indian cookware in Chennai, we are proud to be able to promote and support this change. To be absolutely true to the heritage of traditional cookware, we work with rural artisans who have been handcrafting them for years using the methods handed down to them by their forefathers.
Come, explore our collection of traditional cookware online to savour the full-bodied flavour and soul-satisfying taste they can help you recreate, while enjoying their unique therapeutic advantages.
