The 6 tastes- அறுசுவை உணவு

Whenever we say Full meals in Tamil Nadu, we say we want "அறுசுவை உணவு" (meaning food with 6 tastes).

In South India, typically the full meals are served in Banana leaves in which the first item to be served is a pinch of salt followed by a sweet.

Ever wondered why?

A meal is considered to be complete and balanced when it has all 6 tastes like Salt, Sweet, Sour, Bitter, Spicy and Astringent.

These tastes helps in the following:

• Salt: Balances Electrolytes, gives energy and calmness to the body.

• Sugar: Promotes digestion, cherishes feeling of love and calmness.

• Sour: Helps in good absorption of nutrients and produces heat for facilitating appetite.

• Bitter: To immunity boosting and detoxification.

• Spicy: Eases digestion, burns fat, facilitates blood circulation, induces aggression feeling.

• Astringent: Improves nutrient absorption from food, as anti-inflammatory (typically Mint leaves)

Imagine getting all the above benefits in a single meal?

That's a WOW factor right?

This is the reason why South Indian meals are said to be full and balanced, be it Vegetarian or Non-vegetarian.

No matter if you eat at home or outside, make sure you balance out all the six tastes in every meal you have.

Also see to that, you take all these six in appropriate quantities, if taken in excess, that might lead to Imbalance of diet resulting in Indigestion and other effects.

You may also notice that if you take any of these six in excess, the body will naturally reject🧐.

In Tamil, there is a wise saying,

அளவுக்கு மீறினால் அமிர்தமும் நஞ்சு

meaning,

Too much of anything is good for nothing.

Listen to your body for signals, it always tells you what to eat and what not to eat.

Choose and eat wisely for a healthy and long life.

Let me know your favorite dish/part in the whole banana leaf Virundhu.

Mine is: Catching up the Rasam without flowing out from the field 🤣 ( it's always a task right?)

Anbudan,

Divya Bharathi.