Surjit Singh Flora
Earthenware was a regular feature in Indian kitchens long ago. Women handled everything, from cooking to water storage, using one pot as it is known in rural India. And appears like it’s time to return to the fundamentals even with trendy and costly culinary gear at hand.
In today’s era the methods and customs of food service have evolved. The use of disposables has expanded globally.
Terracotta sets, which are often used as showpieces, are rather prevalent in-home design shops; nonetheless, a genuine earthen pot is almost never used in the kitchen. Despite this, it offers a number of health benefits due to the fact that it cooks the food in a gentle manner. In addition, studies have shown that it is superior to aluminium. Research on the migration of this metal to foodstuffs from drink containers, coffee pots, grill pans, and camping equipment made of aluminium was conducted as a result of their frequent use in private households. In order to arrive at an assessment of the potential health risk to consumers, the European Food Safety Authority uses a dosage of 1 mg/kg body weight for all categories of individuals. There are situations when the TWI is significantly exceeded, and this is dependent on the food contact material as well as the meal itself. An article titled “Migration of aluminium from food contact materials to food-a health risk for consumers?” and published in the journal Environmental Sciences Europe provides evidence of this.
Neither earthenware nor copper vessels remain in homes as they once did. Consuming tea or coffee, as well as drinking water from disposable containers, poses significant risks. A report featured in the esteemed magazine Down to Earth reveals that over 1 million water bottles are sold every minute across the globe. Over the course of five decades, the bottled water industry has evolved into a significant economic sector. Disposable cups have a similar negative.
In fact, earthenware utensils tend to be more susceptible to breaking or chipping, which can pose a considerable disadvantage for regular use.
Their impact on the environment is significantly less than that of plastic. They typically consist of plastic or plastic-coated paper.
These small, plastic-coated, disposable paper cups can break down in liquid after being exposed to hot liquids for 15 minutes. Consuming hot drinks from paper cups raises the likelihood of birth defects, cancer, and neurological disorders. The Indian Institute of Technology published a study on this topic in 2020.
To investigate the properties of paper cups, IIT scientists conducted an experiment where they poured hot ultrapure water into 100 ml paper cups and allowed it to sit for 15 minutes. The researchers discovered that each cup could release approximately 25,000 small plastic particles. After 15 minutes of exposure to hot water, the study revealed that an individual who consumes three cups of tea or coffee daily could potentially inhale 75,000 invisible plastic particles.
The researchers identified the presence of fluoride, chloride, nitrate, sulphate, and toxic heavy metals such as lead, chromium, cadmium, and arsenic in the water samples. It is fair to assert that we are currently transitioning to an era dominated by plastic while moving away from traditional materials such as earthenware, glass, and copper dishes. Today, aluminium utensils are prevalent in our kitchens, weddings, fasts, festivals, parties, functions, and markets. Pressure cookers are primarily constructed from aluminium, and aluminium is generally regarded as unhealthy.
Experts suggest that aluminium utensils can remove over 80 percent of the nutrients in food. Experts regard silver, iron, brass, steel, and bronze as the finest materials for utensils. In the present day, we are increasingly turning to disposable options to conserve our time. In contrast, food prepared in earthenware contains a wealth of medicinal properties. The nutrients stay intact and resist any potential compromise. Earthenware-prepared food is abundant in iron, phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium, all of which consistently contribute to maintaining our health.
An earthenware pot features numerous tiny holes, allowing the food cooked within to receive an even distribution of heat and moisture from all directions. Earthenware has the ability to absorb excess oil and fat to a certain degree. Our body requires 18 types of micronutrients that remain intact when stored in earthenware. Furthermore, the earthenware contains no chemicals or harmful elements, ensuring that the food stays fresh and of high quality. In contrast to other utensils, food retains heat longer in earthenware, as the material itself stays warm for an extended period.
Earthenware, as a ceramic material, is non-toxic and does not leach into food products. Metal pots, pans, cups, and similar items can leach metallic materials into food, particularly when burnt or overheated.
Today, health faces ongoing challenges due to the rise of disposables. It is essential for us to revisit our cultural practices, embrace traditional eating habits, and utilize earthenware and metal utensils while avoiding disposables.
In spite of these challenges, a rising movement is emerging that embraces sustainable and traditional practices, such as the utilization of earthenware utensils. With growing awareness of their advantages, we might witness a revival in their popularity.
(The author is a veteran journalist and freelance writer based in Brampton)