Ancient Ayurveda recognizes that our food and eating habits contribute immensely to our health and wellbeing. Therefore it places great emphasis on the value of the food we consume, into which goes a lot of things – from the raw food items and ingredients used to the herbs or spices added to enrich the taste and nutrition. But not to be missed out in this regard is the cooking process of the food in which the utensils the food is cooked in play a significant role.
The ancient sages of Ayurveda knew that cooking in the right kind of cookware could make you healthier. The material food is stored or cooked in can change the properties of the food and add to its contents. Therefore, different metals have been used to make utensils to cook food. For the same reason, recommended by Ayurveda, the Indian kitchen houses a variety of cooking utensils. Inside any traditional Indian Rasoi, utensils made of iron, copper, clay, even pure silver, and gold in wealthier households!
Brass cookware, even though an alloy, is a proud member of this family. Utensils made from brass have been used for centuries as they are ideal for cooking thanks to their property of being good conductors of heat, but that’s not the only reason they have such a special place in the Indian kitchen. Food cooked in Brass is thought to possess many nutritional and therapeutic qualities and is considered healthy. Let’s look at why it is so –
Brass pacifies Pitta
Pitta, along with Kapha and Vata, is one of the tridoshas in the body. According to Ayurveda, these three should stay in balance to maintain optimum health. Pitta is characterized by aggression and irritability in a temper and manifests as acid reflux or burning sensation in the body. Eating food cooked in brass cookware pacifies pitta while balancing Vata and Kapha. It is even known to cure respiratory illnesses such as cough and asthma due to an imbalance of the pitta dosha. If you suffer from elevated levels of pitta, you should use a Brass Handi For Cooking.
Rich in nutrients
Our body requires a healthy dose of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals for its healthy functioning. These can be naturally acquired through our diet. As we know, ancient Ayurveda prefers certain cooking vessels because they add nutritional qualities to the food.
The composition of brass is 30% zinc and 70% copper and is a good source of these minerals, which are absorbed by the food during cooking and supplied to our body in trace quantities. Copper and zinc are known to possess unique qualities to fight and cure certain diseases. Brass cookware is also a good source of tin which is used in its coating (Kalai).
Increased shelf life of food
Eating food cooked and stored in brass cookware doesn’t go bad easily. Storing pickles and herbs in brassware was a common practice in the olden days for this reason. That’s because brassware doesn’t change the qualities of the food stored or cooked in it and retains its quality. Brass keeps almost 90% of nutrients intact while cooking, which is one of the highest in metals. Steel cookware has only about 17%.
Adds strength and immunity
Food cooked in brass cookware provides us with a healthy dose of minerals such as copper and zinc, essential to our body. Apart from this, it also possesses potent antioxidant properties and prevents the growth of bacterias and viruses. This is especially good for protecting us from abdominal infections and stomach-related issues. Brass utensils also increase hemoglobin that boosts energy, and removes fatigue coming from the tin coating. It is also known to sharpen memory.
Great skin
It is also great for maintaining the general health of the skin. Brassware encourages the production of melanin in the body, which is extremely important to ensure your skin’s health and protect it against harmful Ultraviolet rays of the sun. Also, Copper rich foods are known to boost collagen. Since brass is primarily made of copper (70%), it naturally encourages collagen production and maintains the skin’s youthfulness.
Now that you know all the benefits of using brass cookware, maybe it’s time to take out your grandmother’s brass handi for cooking! If you don’t have brassware, you should invest in it. It’s going to bring a plethora of health benefits to your food and last you a lifetime.
Check out Zishta’s range of brass cookware and serve ware that traditional artisans of rural India handcraft in unique designs to bring the authentic benefit of the golden metal and an aesthetic appeal to your kitchen. Explore the entire collection here.