Kola kenda the green herbal porridge and traditional health foods what are they and where do I try them
I am into healthy traditional foods and I read about kola kenda a green herbal porridge eaten for breakfast and other traditional health foods (the leafy mallung the herbal drinks) What is kola kenda exactly (a rice and coconut and herb porridge) what herbs go in it what is it good for and where do I try it (is it a morning thing at markets or homes) and what other traditional wellness foods should I seek I love the idea of the everyday healthy local foods Health food lovers and locals please tell me
3 Answers from travellers
Home cook and food blogger so the lovely world of traditional health foods Kola kenda the green porridge KOLA KENDA (meaning leaves porridge) is a traditional HERBAL PORRIDGE eaten especially at BREAKFAST it is a thin savoury porridge made from RICE (often red rice) cooked with COCONUT MILK and the extracted juice or paste of a green medicinal LEAF or herb so it comes out green and earthy lightly salted sometimes taken with a bit of jaggery (palm sugar) on the side to balance it What herbs many different medicinal greens are used each with its own benefit GOTU KOLA (a famous brain and wellness herb) HATHAWARIYA KARAPINCHA (curry leaf) WELPENELA RANAWARA POLPALA and many traditional leaves each leaf makes a different kola kenda with its own reputed health property (good for digestion immunity blood sugar energy and general wellness) it is everyday Ayurvedic nutrition in a cup What it is good for it is considered very HEALTHY and nourishing (the herbs vitamins and the gentle rice and coconut base) a traditional energising restorative wholesome start to the day it sits in the Ayurvedic and folk wellness tradition (the Ayurveda threads) light and good for you Where to try it MORNINGS is the time look for it at MARKET stalls and morning food spots (the pola the threads) small local eateries that do traditional breakfast some health and Ayurvedic cafes and BEST of all a HOME or homestay (ask your hosts many families make it and it is a lovely thing to be served fresh) there are also dedicated kola kenda sellers in the early morning try it fresh and green Other traditional health foods to seek MALLUNG (the shredded leafy green salads with grated coconut gotu kola mallung and others fresh and full of greens a daily healthy side) HERBAL drinks (BELI MAL the dried bael flower tea RANAWARA tea CORIANDER coriander seed brew for colds the herbal teas) traditional sweets from kithul and jaggery (natural sugars) the wholegrain RED RICE (the rice threads) veggie packed rice and curry the whole traditional diet is rather healthy fresh local and balanced so for the everyday healthy local foods try KOLA KENDA the green herbal rice and coconut porridge at breakfast (from a market stall morning eatery or best a home with a bit of jaggery on the side) made with medicinal leaves like gotu kola and seek the MALLUNG leafy salads and the herbal teas (beli mal ranawara) it is delicious wholesome everyday Ayurvedic eating you will love it
Kola kenda the green herbal rice and coconut porridge at breakfast made with medicinal leaves like gotu kola with jaggery on the side plus the mallung leafy salads and herbal teas like beli mal and ranawara this is exactly the everyday healthy local eating I hoped to find thank you
Take the jaggery on the side as intended a little bite of the palm sugar between sips balances the earthy savoury green porridge perfectly it is how locals enjoy it and makes the medicinal greens much more pleasant for a first timer a lovely wholesome ritual
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