Glazed ceramic pieces are widely known in home furnishings stores, however, a suitable earthen pot or earth and pots is rarely used in the kitchen.
Do you realize that our forefathers always seemed to prepare their meals in clay pots, namely clayware/earthenware? Over time, humans have indeed transitioned to different types of kitchen equipment, such as metal, bronze, iron, and aluminum, to mention a few.
Haven’t you ever considered why our ancestors cooked their meals in clay pots or used them in the kitchen? Let’s find out here.
What is Earthen Pot
An earthen pot appeared as gods, and evil spirits churned the sea (Sheersagar) for the heavenly nectar (Mahamrita). This one is thought to be the initial earthen pot ever made by an artisan. Earthen pots, also widely recognized as Matkas, have become a piece of essential kitchen equipment in Indian households. They work like regular refrigeration systems. Because these pots are absorbent, the accommodated water are filtered through the pore spaces. The filters absorb the heat from the pot’s water but evaporate from the ground. It’s an ongoing procedure that maintains the pot’s surface wetness and the temperature of the water low. The greater the ambient heat, the greater the refrigerating effect.
Creating these simple earthen pots entails many steps, and despite what people think, the potter’s (who makes earthen pots) roller only aids in the beginning molding of clay.
The Soil Used for Making Pots
The activity began with the clayey soil getting molded on the potter’s wheel; once the preferred cylinder-like structure is achieved, the molded part is isolated at the bottom using a thread. This structure is then given time to dry to obtain sturdiness. The pot is washed once more and shaped with a forming pad as well as a made of wood beater. The potter pushes the shaping pad into the pot’s interior and consistently beats the outer layer with the hardwood beater, giving the pot a constant wall texture and a perfect spherical shape.
The finished shape is decorated using another range of colored clay and forced to fire in a kiln. These pots are then scrubbed and inspected for flaws. Earthenware fired in an accessible kiln on the surface appears auburn or light brown red, whereas fragments fired in a buried or shuttered kiln look bl
7 Earthen Pot Benefits in the Kitchen
Today’s society is returning to basic and simple items, and why shouldn’t it whenever it brings a slew of advantages? Although there are multiple explanations for using clay pots, some are purely too tempting to be true. Let’s look at what makes these earthen pots among the finest cookware options for our kitchens and everyday life.
- Pocket-friendly and available from every retailer
Earthen pots or clay pots are affordable and readily available. These pots can be bought from any store, regardless of brand or place. There seem to be numerous stores and vendors who offer such earthen pot cookware in a wide range of sizes and styles at a decent cost. And when compared to the price of your contemporary labeled dinnerware, it is an absolute bargain.
- Keeps Its Nutritional Content Intact
This represents one of the most significant advantages of using clay pots for preparing food. It has been proven scientifically that now the nutritious value of a meal stays at 100 percent due to the pore spaces in clay pots, which also control moisture and temperature throughout the preparation of food. Other cutlery, such as aluminum ware, has a nutritional content of only 7- 13%.
Whether you’re using a mitti ka tandoor or a simple handi being used to make a curry, the porous structure of a clay pot keeps moisture and temperature inside the pot itself, resulting in a cooked-to-perfection and flavorful dish! Furthermore, the earthy flavor and aroma are unrivaled!
A government research facility’s experimental results demonstrated that a meal (lentil) boiled in a clay pot managed to live a 36-hour non-air-conditioned train trip on a warm day without losing nutritional value. Because clay prevents the proliferation of certain kinds of microorganisms, its kitchen equipment creates a barrier to bacteria, restricting them from messing up your meals.
- It Maintains the Water’s Temperature
Users can store Tap water in clay bottles of water, and because clay includes additional mineral deposits, it will intuitively be incorporated into your liquid. The accessible pores of clay bottles enable evaporative cooling, allowing the water to cool naturally. The benefits of Matka water include aiding in the prevention of ailments such as common colds, coughs, and sinus infections.
Most of what we chew turns alkaline in the stomach and produces toxic compounds. Clay is naturally alkaline, so it engages with spicy foods to maintain a healthy pH balance. As a result, alkalinity and gastric-related issues are prevented from occurring.
Because water preserved in a clay pot contains no toxins, consuming clay pot water daily can boost the immune system. Because of the mineral resources in water, this can aid digestion.
- And Yes, They are Also Environmentally Friendly
Enameled earthen pots retain a great deal of potential for the climate and are good for meals.
So, Try Using Clay Pots Instead of Fancy Cookware to Avail Benefits
Terracotta products are commonly seen as displays and home accessories, but an earthen pot is rarely used in the Kitchen. Nevertheless, it outperforms aluminum concerning its health benefits.
While it is not challenging to find clay pots, obtaining items in their truest form is challenging, but again not unattainable. If you desire to learn how to cook in clay pots, avoid buying glossed or presentable ones and instead look for earthen clay pots.
Now that you’ve already seen the advantages of using clay pots for preparing food, you can comprehend why clayware was so widespread during ancient times. If you would like your meal to be the safest and best tasting, swap to clay pots, which are either affordable or readily available.
