When it comes to choosing the ideal storage, cooking and storage dishes and metals, the best bet would be to go back to our roots and look for answers. What kind of vessels were used in the yesteryears that kept our ancestors hale and healthy? In this article, we tell you the best cooking, storage, and serving vessels.
The Best Cooking, Storage, and Serving Vessels
Storage – Keep Away from Plastics
Plastic is a big no-no. It harms the environment and also tends to break down in a few months. It also has a tendency to induce chemicals into the food and adulterate it.
For dry goods like rice, wheat, lentils and grains, glass and stainless steel containers are the best. You can add a few sticks of Vasambu or Acorus Calamus, turmeric or neem leaves to keep insects and weevils away.
Store drinking water in Copper or steel bottles, avoid plastics. Copper has a number of health benefits as it aids in killing harmful pathogens in the water. Also during the summer season, it’s best to store water in an earthen pot for a natural cooling effect.
Cooking – Earthen and Iron Cookware the Best of All
With the advent of non-stick cooking utensils, the traditional vessels of iron and earthen cookware is forgotten. But it deserves its rightful place. The benefits of this cookware are plenty. For starters, food tastes better when cooked in these elements and they don’t contain chemical additives of the modern non-stick cookware.
Also, it’s cost-effective as traditional cookware lasts for a longer time and is often a one-time investment. We can see vessels handed down through generations that still stand the test of time.
Benefits of Cast Iron Cookware
This type of cookware leaches iron into the food, thus aiding you with your daily iron requirements. It lasts for decades and quite versatile too. On the flip side, it requires more maintenance – it can be prone to rust and need to be washed with care. It is also heavier and retains a lot of heat. But overall the health benefits of cast iron cookware far outweigh the flip sides.
Benefits of Earthen Cookware
Due to its slow heating properties, minimal nutrients are lost during the whole cooking process. The clay pot also absorbs moisture and circulates it back thus making food delicious and juicy. While buying clay pots, make sure that they are unglazed. Soak it in water for 2-3 hours so that any impurities are washed away.
Again, maintenance can be a little tricky here since clay pots can break easily. After every use, allow the pots to come to room temperature and then clean with running water and a soft sponge.
What about Stainless Steel?
Stainless steel seems like a viable option, however, it still has certain amounts of alloys with mixtures of metals like chromium and nickel. Higher levels of nickel in this cookware can be bad for health. Ensure to check the grade of stainless steel utensils and its chromium/nickel composition. The recommended grade to purchase is 304 grade.
Also, be aware that no matter what type of stainless steel vessels you buy, it is not 100% pure. Since it is a poor conductor of heat and electricity, a layer of copper or aluminum is sandwiched between them in order to improve conductivity and durability.
Better to avoid Aluminium Cookware
Aluminum is a highly reactive metal and may leach into your food, therefore, it is better to avoid aluminum. Aluminum is linked to many diseases such as Alzheimer’s If you have to use aluminum then go for anodized pressure cookers and pans. The process of anodizing keeps the aluminum away into your food but over the period of time this coating may break down.
Serving and Eating
Most popular forms of serving and eating dishes are stainless steel. Sure enough, it is easily available and relatively safe. But you can try out other alternatives as well. For example, Kansa which is a form of bronze can be used in the form of plates, tumblers and serving bowls. They help to purify food.
Another option, though a little expensive is silver cutlery. Don’t lock them up, put it to good use as they can offer several health benefits. Copper is better used for serving water at room temperature and not suitable for heated food as it is prone to leach.
There are a plethora of options when it comes to safe and healthy vessels. Many of these materials are easily found and don’t pose a threat to health like the way non-stick and plastics do.