Vijayawada: The value of chinta chiguru (tender tamarind leaves) is competing with these of hen, fish, prawn and mutton. These tender leaves can be found in Might and June months. Individuals combine them in varied mixtures of various dishes, notably curries, treating the tender tamarind leaves as being good for well being.
Tender tamarind leaves hitherto value Rs 200–Rs 300 per kg. However their value has touched Rs 1,000 per kg. This is the same as 3.5 kg of hen, almost one kg of mutton, 4 to 5 kg of fish and almost two to 3 kg of prawn, relying on the standard.
The rationale for this hike is that tamarind bushes was earlier present in each place. However they’re now disappearing as a consequence of swift urbanisation.
A pickle made with tamarind leaves – chinta chiguru pachadi, made by grinding these leaves with peanuts, garlic cloves, dried pink chilies and cumin seeds – could be very in style in Andhra Pradesh and different elements of the nation. It’s thought-about to be good for digestion, as a result of tamarind leaves act as a laxative.
Chef P. Ramesh underlined that tender tamarind leaves are an vital ingredient in Andhra delicacies, because the leaves are very tasty. The leaves are utilized in getting ready dal, fish, hen, mutton, prawn and different curries. Majority of individuals make it a degree to eat dishes with chinta chiguru yearly with out fail.
Considerably, distributors on pushcarts and footpaths are promoting tender tamarind leaves in grams. Their charges in Vijayawada and different cities are Rs 100 for 100 grams.
Vendor D. Ravanamma recalled that earlier tamarind bushes may very well be discovered on each side of the roads in cities, cities and villages. However now, they’ve been minimize off to make approach for roads and buildings. She stated, because of this, she is having to journey to hilly areas and inside villages to gather tender tamarind leaves.
One other vendor S Mani stated earlier employees specialising in plucking tender tamarind leaves readily provided their companies. However now, they’re in extreme scarcity. The few employees obtainable are demanding enormous cash to pluck the leaves. They’re including to the bills, additional rising the costs of tender leaves abnormally.
Homemaker Rehana Shaheen, nevertheless, emphasised that regardless of the irregular value, they’re buying chinta chiguru, as it’s obtainable solely throughout this season. It has well being advantages, aside from being tasty.
Ayurvedic physician P. Krishna Rao stated tender tamarind leaves are very efficient in easing joint pains, wealthy with ascorbic acid, vitamin C and tartaric acid, which assist construct an individual’s immunity.
