This Red Ant Chutney From Chattisgarh Is Not For The Faint Hearted
Wednesday, August 1, 2018 IST
Chutneys have long been the mainstay of Indian cuisine. Whether it’s pudina, tomato, coconut, imli or mango chutney, our meals become wholesome only after a dash of chutney to it. On a day when tinda or kaddu is cooked at home, it is this humble chutney which saves our day.
Chhattisgarh has taken the chutney culture to a whole new level. Wonder how spicy their version of chutney is? As sharp as an ant bite. That’s right. It’s a chutney made from red ants & their eggs. The Red Ant chutney is one of those local dishes in India that you must try once.
In the jungles of Bastar in Chhattisgarh, red ants are found in abundance. The local tribes of Chhattisgarh no longer find them a cause for nuisance . They have actually utilized them to prepare a chutney called “Chapra ki Chutney”. The name chapra literally means a leaf basket and refers to the nests the ants make out of the leaves of the sal tree. Although it sounds bizarre, this dish is quite popular & is an indispensable part of all feasts in the region.
How is it prepared?
The red ants along with the eggs are collected from the nests and are crushed and dried. Then the dry chutney is prepared by adding salt, sweeteners, ginger, coriander & chillies. The tribal people sell this chutney in small packets. The red ant chutney will give a tough time to your tongue at first. The formic acid found in ants coupled with the seasonings renders this chutney very pungent & hot, but it’s found to have medicinal properties. Even Gordon Ramsay found it amazing in spite of it’s sour taste. Hunting for Red Ant nests is a favourite pastime for youngsters in the area .
Benefits of Red Ant Chutney
Red ants contain valuable proteins and this tribe has put this virtue to good use.This chutney provides essential proteins and calcium. It is also an excellent source of Zinc, which is good for our immune system. Vitamin B 12, which is essential for a healthy brain and nervous system, is also found in these ants. Consumption of Red Ant chutney helps to battle depression, fatigue and improves memory.
Who would have known, that a chutney can do a lot more than just lend zest to the cuisine. No wonder, it’s called an chutney adventure by the local Dhuruva tribe rather than just a dish.
The dare is on you, whenver next time you visit Chhattisgarh.
Got interested in chutneys?
Related Topics
Related News & Articles
Medicine is an ever-evolving field. New breakthroughs are being made all the time, but there are some discoveries that will always stand out as changing human think...
Recently posted . 1K views . 4 min read
Doctors and public health officials have long recommended that people use sunscreen to protect against the sun’s ultraviolet rays. But how safe are the sunscr...
Recently posted . 1K views . 2 min read
Often vegetarian food is underrated and neglected when placed in juxtaposition with non-vegetarian food. But in this diverse country, we have a substantial share ...
Recently posted . 692 views . 3 min read
Gingerol stimulates enzymes contained in saliva that breaks down foul smelling substances in the mouth ensuring fresh breath and better aftertaste.
Recently posted . 902 views . 1 min read
You know how your parents were always on your tail about not skipping breakfast and how it's the most important meal of the day?
Recently posted . 1K views . 1 min read
Trending News & Articles
Lung cancer is usually not noticeable during the early stages. Most people are diagnosed when the disease is at an advanced stage. According to Cancer.org, it is ...
Recently posted . 7K views . 2 min read
The health benefits of wood apple include [1] relief from constipation, indigestion, peptic ulcer, piles, respiratory problems, diarrhea, and dysentery. It also b...
Recently posted . 4K views . 2 min read
Bael, also known as the “Wood Apple”, is a species native to India. The bael tree is considered to be sacred to the Hindus. A famous drink known as sh...
Recently posted . 4K views . 2 min read
Do you know what milia are? Milia is a skin condition which causes the appearance of small white hard bumps on the skin which usually appear on the face, neck or ch...
Recently posted . 4K views . 2 min read
More in Food & Health
Breast cancer is a phrase no woman wants to hear from their doctor. Yet one in seven will hear those words, some for the second time. What can we do to protect ou...
Recently posted. 824 views . 1 min read
An Australian study found that participants felt happier, experienced higher energy levels, greater flexibility, improved posture and an enhanced sense of achieveme...
Recently posted. 766 views . 1 min read
To the point: Old school Indian cuisine has some loyal fan lineage, but how about we tell you that you can eat Biryani with Old Monk in it, blend...
Recently posted. 1K views . 2 min read
Recently posted . 670 views
Recently posted . 908 views
Recently posted . 1K views
Recently posted . 1K views
Recently posted . 1K views . 86 min read
Recently posted . 1K views . 88 min read
We are slowly realizing the impact of plastic accumulation in oceans and marine life. Marine animals and seabirds are consuming the innumerable plastic products tha...
Recently posted. 943 views . 3 min read
Is it too cold for you to go to gym, or are you looking for cheaper options? Here are some virtual training options for you that includes ce...
Recently posted. 851 views . 1 min read