Customers often ask me “Is turmeric safe for everyone?” My quick response is “Yes it’s Turmeric, it’s good for everyone”. But then, as the thought “Could something as medicinal as turmeric be unsafe?” popped up in my head, I erased my answer. Worth looking up, I thought. Turmeric is my favourite spice as it helped …
A Touch of Spices – Spending Time With Bei Bina
Bei Bina Shylla of Iewduh Market, Shillong ‘Bei’ is an endearing term meaning Mother in the Pnar language of the Jaintias, a sub-tribe of the Khasi people of Meghalaya. Bei Bina is one of the retailers of Khasi spices in Shillong. I had an appointment with Bei through my sister Lina who knows her well. …
OMG! The Best Turmeric Festival Ever
Have you ever played the word association game? I say, “Turmeric” you say “______________” Last week, at Zizira, we sort of played this game. Suddenly we were associating the word Turmeric with Festival! If you’re a health-conscious turmeric lover, you might have other word associations 🙂 Our conversation prompted me to do some digging. I soon …
Amazing Black Pepper, Black Gold and King of Spice
Early Days of Black Pepper In medieval Europe black pepper, like other spices, was a commodity of the nobility and the rich, coveted not only for the flavours it imparts on cuisines but also for its purported medicinal properties. Europeans of those days had so dismal geographical knowledge that they thought spices had mystical origins. …
8 Incredible Ways Cinnamon Helps Boost Health, Beauty & Brains
Aroma and Cure Cinnamon! The name itself evokes a magical aroma. We know too well how cinnamon spices up motley foods from soup to gravies to breads and more. We use it in our biryanis and pulaos, meats and vegetables, cakes and pastries, pizzas and cookies, ice-creams and shakes…just about everywhere. As a spice cinnamon …
8 Incredible Ways Cinnamon Helps Boost Health, Beauty & BrainsRead More
The Road to Discovery – Ing Makhir a Potent Medicinal Ginger From Meghalaya
Zizira is always on the hunt for new unique plants and herbs from the hills of Meghalaya. Some may be new, some old, but mostly unknown, even to the locals. As we hunt, we make new discoveries, and it never ceases to amaze us. As we hunt, we want to make our discoveries available to …
The Road to Discovery – Ing Makhir a Potent Medicinal Ginger From MeghalayaRead More
Ing Makhir Local Ginger Plant, a Spice from Meghalaya
From curing several ailments and diseases to the preparation of our favourite Khasi dishes, medicinal herbs hold a special place in the lives of the people in Meghalaya. For years, the locals have relied on herbal remedies, recipes and formulations to cure their ailments, passing them down from generation to generation. In most cases, they …
Ing Makhir Local Ginger Plant, a Spice from MeghalayaRead More
Medicinal Use of Plants in Meghalaya – A Brief Study
Medicinal use of plants has been incorporated by the people of all races and regions since time immemorial. These plants grow abundantly on the pristine and lush green forest of Meghalaya, you can find the common herbs on our backyards itself, that’s the main reason the people of Meghalaya used plants to treat almost all …
Medicinal Use of Plants in Meghalaya – A Brief StudyRead More
Ing Makhir: Potent Indigenous Ginger Root of Meghalaya
Everyone recalls childhood days as always fun-filled and carefree. So do I. Days long ago were fun and games with not a care in the world. And, there was a significant difference: sicknesses were rare, mostly restricted to the odd common ones like colds, coughs, sore throats, or toothaches. Besides these, we had injuries galore because we …
Ing Makhir: Potent Indigenous Ginger Root of MeghalayaRead More
Why Turmeric Is Used for Natural Cures by Indigenous Folks
Do you know there is a delightfully colourful ceremonial in Indian weddings called the ‘haldi ceremony’? Usually a day before, or in the morning of the wedding, ‘haldi’ (turmeric) paste is applied to the bodies of the bride and groom. Wonder Why They Cover Their Bodies in Yellow? ‘Haldi’ or turmeric was known and used …
Why Turmeric Is Used for Natural Cures by Indigenous FolksRead More
Easy Spice Storage for Preserving Lakadong Turmeric
Easy Spice Storage Method Turmeric, a significant spice in Indian cooking is always near at hand when in the kitchen. It is a spice present in nearly all Indian dishes. But, this does not mean you place them next to your stove. Warm places are in fact, the worst places to store your spices because …
Easy Spice Storage for Preserving Lakadong TurmericRead More
Quest for Spice – Turmeric in the Ri-Bhoi District of Meghalaya
The quest for indigenous crops took Zizira explorers in search of locally grown turmeric to Kyrdem Kulai, in Meghalaya’s Ri-Bhoi district, near Umsning, well known for the Government’s poultry and animal farms and farmers’ training centres. It turns out it was not easy to find local turmeric in that area. The farmers we interviewed hardly …
Quest for Spice – Turmeric in the Ri-Bhoi District of MeghalayaRead More
Story Behind Chilli Flakes
Have you ever wondered how come we find shakers of chilli flakes in Pizzerias and restaurants selling Italian food and not in others? Are chilli flakes used only in Italian cuisine? Which other regions in the world use it and for what kinds of food? As Meghalaya is home to some of the spiciest and …
Find Out How Good Bay Leaf Is Against Type 1 Diabetes!
Indian Bay leaf also called as tej-patta is widely used in Indian cuisine and is an integral part of “garam masala” spice. Scientifically called Cinnamomum tamala, it belongs to the Lauraceae family, and is endemic to India. In this article, we will learn from a study, how bay leaf may help in the improvement of …
Find Out How Good Bay Leaf Is Against Type 1 Diabetes!Read More
Little Known Facts of Black Pepper Plant [Infographic]
Black pepper plant is a well-known spice plant that it is widely used for its spicy flavor in seasoning and flavoring cuisines all across the globe. Black pepper is a spice that will be found in almost all the restaurants and kitchen, in fact, it is one of the most commonly used spice. It is …
Little Known Facts of Black Pepper Plant [Infographic]Read More
5 Effective Health Benefits of Black Pepper Powder
Every time you buy black pepper spice, remember that this spice holds more benefits than you can imagine. Black pepper belongs to “Piperaceae family”, this pepper plant is processed in multiple ways to yield a different kind of pepper variety. For instance, the dried fruit is the black pepper and the white pepper is the …
Easy to Make Healthy Turmeric Vegetable Smoothie
One of the healthiest food for summer morning is a healthy, good and nutrient-packed vegetable smoothie. It is perfect after a heart-pounding work out session. This vegetable smoothie recipe is an easy trick to getting yourself hydrated, refreshed and energized. This turmeric smoothie is filled with vitamins, is naturally sweet and flavorful in taste. And, …
Healthy ways of using Turmeric Powder at Home [Infographic]
Turmeric powder is a spice that has always been there in the Indian kitchen spice rack, displaying a lovely golden color. Widely used in Indian and Middle eastern cuisine, it also has potent antioxidants that is beneficial to health. Turmeric has a yellow-golden color that has an earthy scent and a peppery taste. It is …
Healthy ways of using Turmeric Powder at Home [Infographic]Read More
8 Incredible Health Benefits of Szechuan Pepper
When you have any food seasoned with Szechuan pepper, you may find it hard to stop eating. You could get addicted to it! Szechuan pepper has a strong flavor that leaves your tongue with a tingling sensation. It numbs your tongue, opening the pores of the taste buds, which is good, as it enhances the flavors of the …
5 Surprising Benefits of Cinnamon for Skin
Cinnamon is a well-known spice for its uses in both sweet and savory foods. It has also played a key role in traditional medicines across various cultures. Though popularly used for flavoring and as condiment in cooking, its medicinal benefits have been recognized through the years. Production of Cinnamon in India In India, the southern …
Easy to Make Veggie Salsa Recipe Using Black Sweet Corn
Are you looking for an easy to make, fresh veggie recipe for your weekend this summer? Here is a sunny salsa recipe! It is a perfect appetizer if you’re hosting a luncheon for your dear ones. It would be an excellent idea to mix up a batch to keep it in the fridge for snacking anytime. …
Easy to Make Veggie Salsa Recipe Using Black Sweet CornRead More
The Story Behind Zizira’s Bird Eye Chilli Chutney
The Origins Bird’s eye chilli, as is with other chillies, originated from Mexico and is now cultivated in other parts the world, specially after the discovery of the New World. In India, it grows in the northeastern region and in the southern state of Kerala. The Bird’s Eye chilli variety found in India is the same …
The Yellow Spice – Megha-1, Meghalaya’s other Lakadong Turmeric
Meghalaya’s Lakadong turmeric is perhaps the best in the world because of its high curcumin content of more than 7%. Scientists at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) at Umiam, have developed a cloned variety, which carries the goodness of Lakadong and more. Zizira explorers met with the scientists to find out what went …
The Yellow Spice – Megha-1, Meghalaya’s other Lakadong TurmericRead More
A Trip to Meet Farmers Growing Ghost Chili and Here’s What We Found
Beginning of February 2017 Zizira explorers visited the Umden weekly haat and witnessed a market packed with farmers and local traders. We learnt that a lot of produce sold here, such as black pepper, perilla seeds, ginger and chilies, are collected from few local backyard farmers and sold collectively at these haats. Did you know? …
A Trip to Meet Farmers Growing Ghost Chili and Here’s What We FoundRead More
Bhut Jolokia Farmer of Umtangngi, Meghalaya
In an earlier post, Zizira brought out a story on planet Earth’s fiercest chili: Northeast India’s Assam Bhut Jolokia Chili, with over a million Scoville Heat Units that far exceeds Mexico’s Red Savina’s record of half a million Scovilles. Bhut Jolokia is also known as Ghost Chili, Naga Mircha, Naga Morich or Raja Mircha We learned …
Amazing Bhut Jolokia,One of the Hottest Chilli on Earth
Bhut Jolokia – the Hottest Chilli on Earth Our Grandma used to prepare sumptuous stew for the family, a healthy broth of vegetables, with pieces of meat thrown in. That done, she would ladle away half the stew to another vessel (for us children), leaving the other half on the boil. She would then dip …
Amazing Bhut Jolokia,One of the Hottest Chilli on EarthRead More
Quick and Easy Turmeric Tea Recipe with Wildflower Honey
Turmeric tea is a favored and trendy beverage throughout many parts of Asia. Primarily, due to its health benefits and high curcumin content of turmeric, it is popularly used as a natural remedy for cold and cough, and to boost the immune system. The other ingredients used in this recipe elevate the taste of turmeric. …
Quick and Easy Turmeric Tea Recipe with Wildflower HoneyRead More
Indian Long Pepper Could Hold the Key to Fight Cancer
Great news! Researchers have discovered a compound in Indian long pepper, or Piper Longum as it is known, that may hold the key to fighting cancer. The reason we are excited is because this spice grows in Meghalaya. Team Zizira is always looking to spot and unleash the agricultural potential of Northeast India. Hence when …
Indian Long Pepper Could Hold the Key to Fight CancerRead More
Versatile Cinnamon Spice Cultivated Naturally in Meghalaya
The warm aroma of cinnamon spice is what comes to mind when we think of it. Thoughts of delicious treats of cinnamon rolls, pastries, cinnamon bread may quite likely follow! Cinnamon Spice is well-known for its uses in both sweet and savory foods. Its sweet woody fragrance is what is highly desired. As a spice, …
Versatile Cinnamon Spice Cultivated Naturally in MeghalayaRead More
How Simple Medicinal Herbs and Spices can Heal
One Common Medicinal Herb and Nine Common Spices That Help Heal Injuries and Illnesses Did you know that there is a shrub that grows abundantly in Meghalaya, one that is considered an obnoxious weed, that can effectively stops bleeding in cuts and wounds? Or, that simple spices you use in your kitchen can effectively help …
Long pepper – a Spice that Spices and Cures
Grandma’s Go-to Doctor — Mother Nature It was a lazy Sunday when I was recollecting younger days and was reminded of my grandmother and how she used locally grown herbs and spices to churn up a cure for many ailments! Grandma knew how to get us kids up, and off to school. As kids we …
Explore the Medicinal Benefits of Ginger
Ginger is renowned for its taste elevating properties and is almost a ‘must have’ in Asian cooking. Its use is so common that at times one tends to forget that ginger has many medicinal properties too. This spice is of special interest to Zizira explorers as many farmers grow ginger in Meghalaya the natural way …
Bird’s Eye Chilli – A Red Confetti for Your Chicken Salad Recipe
Spicy chicken salad recipe! What can ever go wrong with something so delicious? Chicken salad can be surprisingly healthy and nourishing with the right ingredients. “Vegetables in a salad are the source of fibre and chicken the protein. The Bird’s eye chilli provides heat and spiciness”. Eating salad can decrease the intake of calories, your …
Bird’s Eye Chilli – A Red Confetti for Your Chicken Salad RecipeRead More