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  • Whether these suggestions can be followed while cooking


    Confused about what suggestions to follow while cooking? Searching for correct suggestions which have a scientific base? On this Ask Expert page clarify your confusion.

    While cooking we are cutting vegetables. But some says that:
    1.Ginger should be used by removing skins as the skin is poisonous - please clarify is it not sufficient to clean well before use.
    2. While using the seeds and inner portions of tomato, bitter guard, bottle guard, capsicum etc., are to be removed - is it correct to do so
    3.We found curry leaves plant in our house garden with white dots in the leaves. A relative told us not to use such leaves - is it correct.
  • Answers

    4 Answers found.
  • We learn such things by seeing our elders doing and later increase or reinforce the knowledge rom other sources in the course of our life.

    1.Ginger: Yes we have to use Ginger after removing the thin layer skin. Ginger is a root and grows below soil. So it is just natural that the outer surface will have contamination from the soil. So for any root or tuber that grows below soil we always use them after cleanly peeling the outer skin. It will be again clean washed if needed. In the case of Ginger , I have heard from an Ayurvedic expert that the outer skin of it is to be removed as that part contains unusable contents. He used a word in local language which approximately means toxin, though not exactly so. Raw Ginger is used only in home cuisine buying rom vegetable vendors. But dried Ginger is stored , traded(including export) in large scale and widely used. The local method of preparing dry ginger is to peel the outer skin, applying lime or Chuna and drying them under Sun. That shows that the outer skin of Ginger is to be removed .

    2.Seeds generally not consumed: The ripe seeds are meant for further germination and growth of more plants and trees. They are one of the major ways of propagation of species. The fruits are actually for helping the seeds to grow and ripe and also enable carried away and discarded for further growth. The fruits attract the carrier birds and animals and the eat and discard the seeds either straight from mouth or via excretion. The seed skin has to be thick and strong to withstand the various chemicals and acids in the guts of the animals and birds and humans too.

    However As suman digestive system and excretion system are different from other small animals and birds. There are chances that the seeds get stuck at some place inside the system or there are also chances that the seeds break because of the acids and chemicals and physical movements in the system and may react with the chemicals and enzymes inside and may cause production of some harmful products. The outer skin (husk) may break and then can cause abrasions on the soft linings or get stuck at throat and cause inconvenience. However if a little quantity is get consumed, generally they come out intact in excretion.
    When we consume seeds, it is mostly by roasting or frying them and removing the outer skin (husk) only.

    3.Curry leaves: Curry leaves grow quite abundantly in places with good rainfall and good sunlight. Usually they co-exist with other trees and plants on a plot of land. In thick growths the branches may be below some other trees Those branches and leaves that grow below or behind shades of other trees and plants tend to have discolouration, spots etc. Sometimes it may be due some fungus infection too. Before use one should thoroughly check the leaves front and behind and ensure that no pests, worms or insects or eggs are there. Try scraping by a knife to know if anything is sticking. If there is no indication of presence of eggs ,or micro pests, slightly discoloured leaves can be used after hygienically washing, because we use them mostly for hot cooking. However if there is availability of good leaves it is preferable to avoid the spotted leaves. Try using some fungicide spray to protect the residual plant and leaves.

  • 1. Ginger Skin: Ginger skin is not harmful to you. It will have a light gingery flavor. It has some nutritional value. Some will be making a broth with the skin to flavor dishes. Ginger is textural. The skin is tougher than the flesh. That is why some people peel it. Generally, ginger will be cut into small pieces and added to dishes. Hence there is no necessity to peel the skin. You can eat as it is.
    2. Seeds: There is no necessity to remove tomato seeds. these tiny seeds are packed with nutrition. They are one of the healthiest foods. They have good dietary fiber, vitamin A and C. They are a healthier alternative to aspirin! These seeds are good for overall health and skin too.
    3. Curry leaves: These white spots are caused by bacteria, fungus or rot. So eating those leaves not good. In some leaves by washing them the white patches may go away. In some cases they will not go. Never eat such leaves. You should throw away.

    drrao
    always confident

  • While we pick up the spices from the market, it is always associated with contamination and as such it cannot be used. The following are the precautions being taken for each of the spices.
    1) Ginger - Ginger is a root and remains inside the soil. The soil is often contaminated with lead, arsenic and lead depending upon the area where it is grown and hence a thorough cleaning is required before it is made to use. This spice once picked from the market needs to be thoroughly cleaned with tape water several times and finally it is dried in presence of sunlight for removal of bacteria and other fungus.
    If you peel off the skin, it is always safer for its consumption. Regular usage of the same in course of vegetable preparation or chewing the same would eliminate cough and cold apart from enhancing metabolism.
    2) Seeds of Tomatoes and Bottle Gourd and Bitter Gourd are not detrimental since they are well cooked covering a plate during the process of preparation. Hence it would not produce any ill effects of the seeds. However, care should be taken in course of Tomatoes and always fresh and ripe tomatoes should be used especially in case of salad preparation since the seeds of unripe tomatoes are toxic in nature.
    3) Curry leaves is known for reducing the sugar level of diabetic patients since it enhances insulin. However, care has to be taken to avoid the white patches appearing on the leaves. Only the green leaves are to picked up and before its use in the raw form it should be thoroughly rinsed with tap water a number of times and may used for mastication for controlling the sugar level in the empty stomach to reap its benefits.

  • By using ginger with the skin removed, you can be more rest assured because ginger is found disrespectful to the ground and that is why it also has a lot of soil and bacteria present in it. It cannot be said that the upper skin of ginger is poisonous, but it is very important to clean it thoroughly before using it. For this, first, you put ginger in water for a few hours, and when it becomes a little soft, then rub it very well and wash it, so that there is no soil left in it. If you don't want to spend that much effort, then peeling it and using it is a better option. But even after peeling, again wash the ginger thoroughly, then use it only.
    The seeds and interior of tomatoes are very harmful in some climates. It has been seen many times that the tamarind looks fresh from the outside but its interior is rotten, so always look very carefully while cutting vegetables like tomatoes or capsicum and you can recognize it even by smelling it if you have a little bit. If in doubt, don't use it. Many times some people grind tomatoes and do it, for this also first cut tomatoes, check them and only then grind them in a mixer.
    These white spots leaves are not good for health because they could be infected by some fungus or any specific bacteria so one to should not have those leaves.


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