Posts Tagged ‘curry leaf plant’
Update to Curry Leaf Plant Review: Tiny White Flowers
NOTE: DoT has been posting from Honolulu since late July when she left California to help her mother through some medical procedures. She will be doing so until she can return to Orange County
Curry Leaf Plant Flowers August 2009, SoCal
DoT’s Thot: ” The flower’s are gone when the Fruits appear to ripen.” — Alexander Pope
Curry Leaf Plant Produces Flowers
Back on July 17, I wrote up a description of the curry leaf plant and mentioned that it produces tiny white flowers. At that time, I only had a picture of the plant with leaves. Here in August, I can share with you a picture of the tiny white flowers that the plant produces. Later, we will try to capture pictures of the seeds. Although the flowers are modest, they do add a nice touch to the plant whose leaves alone do make this a potentially decorative patio plant.
As a reminder, these are the fresh leaves are an ingredient in many Indian dishes and is quite different from the western bay leaves.
Aloha, DoT
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- For more pictures and information see Gernot Katzer’s Spice Pages.
- TIps on growing curry plant…
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Curry Leaf Plant Review: True Indian Curry Leaf Herb Has Mildly Pungent Aroma and Health Benefits
DoT’s Thot: “The gardener who cooks or the cook who gardens often has a preference for the freshly grown — including herbs and whatever spice elements we can get our hands on. The reward of growing an interesting, scented plant is enhanced by the aroma of a flavorful dish in the kitchen. ” — DoT
DoT's Curry Leaf Plant (Murraya Koenigii) Growing In a Pot
The Curry Plant, an Indian Herb
Thot you might enjoy a review of one of the more interesting edible plants I have. Here is one of the Murraya koenigii or Indian curry leaf plants in my garden that fits the garden plus kitchen category.
The Indian curry leaf plant has little leaves used as a fresh curry leaf herb that yields a mildly pungent and pleasant savory aroma. Some say it has a citrus aroma.
The curry plant is next to my hydrangea plant, so those are not blossoms. The blossoms on the curry leaf plant are tiny and white. The seeds form within a round, deep purple fruit the size of large black peppercorns or of very small blackberries.
Health Benefits of the Indian Curry Leaf Plant
The plant has been used in South Asian traditional medicine as well as being used in cooking. The conditions that the plant is applied to include diabetes, skin conditions, and the digestive tract.
The Curry Plant Leaves Adds Spice as a Savory Flavor
These leaves are used to flavor a number of Indian vegetable dishes. One of my family’s favorite dish is a flavorful and spicy tomato “stew” or “soup”, depending on how thick I make the dish, called tomato sabzi or subji (depending on who I am talking to — either spelling is OK with me). This dish is superb in summer when our tomatoes come in fresh from the garden, warm from the sun, redolent with flavor, in colors of fire — red, orange, gold, and yellow.
The curry leaves are used along with other spices and create a flavorful dish that also lends itself to canning or bottling for a quick pick-me-up or as a side dish during the rest of the year. In addition, those bottled, curry-flavored tomatoes afford my hubby a way out when I am not home. Instead of opening cans
DoT's Curry Leaves Close Up
of other stuff, he opens our bottled tomato stew and heats it, eating the dish with what happens to be on hand: plain yogurt, tortillas or Indian roti flatbread or pita pocket bread or a good whole-grain bread; or, sometimes, with brown rice.
He is a Gujrati or an Indian from Gujrat and in his native tonge, this herb is called “Mitho limado”. In Hindi, it is “Karipatta or Mitha nim, or Mitha neem patta”.
The Curry Leaf Plant Suitable as Decoration
The leaves are somewhat dainty and the plant could be viewed as somewhat decorative. I find it a charming addition to the patio as a potted plant and looking at it now, realize it deserves a prettier home. I think I will transplant it.
Dried Curry Leaves as Spice
If you cannot find the plant at a nursery near you or if the weather does not suit this plant, you can find dried curry leaves at an Indian grocer’s or through a spice store. I have included a source for the fresh curry leaves below, if online seems to be your only choice at this time.
Do give this a try and realize that these curry leaves are not synonymous to bay laurel leaves and once you taste the difference, you will likely want to use these authentic curry leaves for Indian recipes.
Aloha, DoT
Fresh Curry Leaves - Fresh South Indian and Sri Lankan Herb - Citrus Aroma
Online Source for Indian Curry Leaves
Fresh curry leaves from the Buy Spice Now.com store. It is found in the “Grocery” category with a search on “Indian curry leaves”.
List Price is $3.99
Features:
- 100% Natural, Fresh herb
- Exclusive sellers for Ajika on Amazon.com
- Adds fresh citrus aroma to food
- Essential herb in South Indian cooking
Description and Review:
Curry leaves are used as a seasoning in Indian Cooking. When starting a curry or soup dish, the curry leaves should be left in hot oil until they sizzle. Curry leaves are generally sizzled in hot oil with mustard seeds, ginger and asafetida and are added to salads, dals, fresh coconut chutney or vegetable dishes. Curry leaves are very important to South Indian cooking. Curry leaves add a fresh citrus fragrance to food that is simply irresistable. Fresh curry leaves have a short life in the fridge and dried tend to be bland. Fresh curry leaves will remain fresh for a week if kept in a dry plastic bag in the fridge. Curry leaves are not the same as curry powder which is a blend of dry spices. Curry leaves are a fresh herb.
Fresh Indian Curry Leaves Available In Grocery Category; Search "Indian Curry Leaves"
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Related Articles or References
- For more pictures and information see Gernot Katzer’s Spice Pages.
- TIps on growing curry plant…
