· They are primarily used in Indian cuisine to temper recipes. Use torn curry leaves or whole as a tempering agent for dals, rasams, sambhar, chutneys, dhoklas etc.
· Use chopped curry leaves along with green chillies and ginger to flavour upmas.
· Dry roast curry leaves and combine with dried red chillies, asafoetida and urad dal to make spicy chutneys and powders which should be had with sesame oil and steamed rice.
How to store curry leaves, kadi patta, kadipatta
We show you 3 ways to store curry leaves, first in the fridge, second to leaving them outside and third to freezing curry leaves.
1. Remove the stalks of the curry leaves and wash them. Hold all the stalks together like a bunch and tie it. Hang the bunch to drain the water and allow it to dry. Now line a box with paper towels and spread the stalks on the paper towel and use the paper towel again to cover it and close the box and keep it in the fridge. This way the curry leaves stay fresh for a longer time. You can make curry leaves chutney/ thuvayal.
2. Separate the curry leaves from the stem, wrap them in kitchen paper towel, should be covered properly as exposure shall lead to leaves wilting and changing color. Wrapping them thoroughly lasts the leaves for more than 10-12 days.
3. Freezing curry leaves: Wash the leaves and take a Tiffin box put a white hanky and place the leaves in it and cover the leaves with the hanky and close the box keep in freeze for one month it won't dry. See more details on
how to store curry leaves, kadi patta.
Health benefits of curry leaves, kadi patta, kadipatta
Curry leaves have
antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti inflammatory properties and is thus used widely in Ayurvedic medicines. Its antioxidant action helps to scavenge the harmful free radicals from the body and protect the health of our organs. These antioxidants may also show
cancer preventive benefits. Curry leaves also aid in digestion and thus one can chew curry leaves when having a tummy ache. Some scientific research has shown that inclusion of curry leaves is beneficial for people with
diabetes by stimulating insulin producing cells. It helps in
skin care too. Intake of curry leaves can promote clear and healthy skin as well as promote
hair growth and prevent hair fall. They are a fair source of
Vitamin A (promotes vision) and
calcium (promotes bone health) too.