Health Benefits of Cooking and Eating Food in Clay Pots

As more and more awareness is being spread about making environment-friendly lifestyle choices, there has been a revival in the introduction of clay pots and vessels in the kitchen. The surge in the steady popularity of clay or earthen utensils has opened the doors for sustainable living at home and has once again reminded us how the simple choices of the people of the past have had a tremendous positive impact on the environment.

In this space, we will look into the varied benefits of cooking and eating food in clay pots, along with the different types of clay pots you can have at home for everyday use. But before we do that, let us step back a bit and look into the relevance of clay pots in ancient times.

Historical Relevance of Clay Pots

Clay or earthen pots have been in use for centuries in numerous cultures across the globe, dating back to ancient times. Back in the Neolithic era, clay pots were used to cook and store food. The clay vessels were predominantly used by many civilizations including the Indus, Mesopotamia, Roman, and Greek. They were the preferred choice of vessels to prepare traditional dishes such as soups, rice, stews, and bread.

Furthermore, these clay pots were seen as valuable possessions and were often passed down from one generation to another. Since they were made by skilled artisans who used their technicalities and meticulous precision to mould clay into distinct shapes and sizes, based on their purpose of use, they were highly revered.

In addition, in various cultures, clay pots were decorated with intricate patterns and designs, which made them not only functional but pieces of art as well. Indian cooking has deep connections with clay pots since they are economical and serve various health benefits. Not to mention, they also add distinct flavours and aromas to the food, giving your favourite dishes their unique taste.

Benefits of Cooking and Eating Food in Clay Pots

The practice of cooking and eating food in clay pots has stood the test of time not only for their cultural significance but also for the plethora of health benefits they bring. Let us check out some of the most prominent health benefits of using clay pots to cook and eat.

Ensures Uniform Cooking

Since clay is a porous material, it allows moisture and heat to circulate evenly throughout the entire pot during the cooking process. This is in stark contrast to stainless steel or metal pots. You get energy-efficient cookware with clay as they maintain a steady temperature, ideal for slow-cooking dishes.

As such, vegetables and other ingredients cook evenly. Dum Biriyani and Handi Biriyani, two of the most popular dishes at our vegetarian restaurant in Dubai, rely on earthen pots for this very reason.

Helps Maintain pH Balance of the Food

Clay is alkaline in nature. As such, when clay pots are heated, they interact with the acid in the food and help neutralise it to maintain the pH balance of the food. It makes the food easier to digest while also elevating the taste of the food.

This is why you will often see acidic foods such as tomatoes take some natural sweetness and turn out extremely tasty when cooked in clay vessels.

Uses Less Oil

For those who want to be conscious about the amount of oil they want to use in their food, clay pots are the ideal choice. Clay vessels require minimal oil to cook food and thus ensure the food that ends up on your platter is healthier.

The non-stick property of clay vessels makes it easier to cook fat-free and oil-free meals. It has also been noted that clay pots usually require less salt.

Maintain Apt Food Nutrient Level

It has been seen that clay vessels have the unique ability to keep in all the vapour and steam that evaporates during cooking. This enables your food to retain all the necessary nutrients. As such, there is less need to add more water or oil to the dishes.

In fact, many clay pots can even add additional healthy minerals to your food, including iron, magnesium, calcium, phosphorous, and sulphur, which are highly beneficial to your body. Therefore, clay pots are our top choice to cook and serve Sattvic foods as well, which in itself is one of the most nutritious foods you can have.

Free from Toxic Elements

Unlike plastic and metal cookware, clay pots are non-toxic and do not release any dangerous chemicals into the food you prepare. This ensures a healthy and safe cooking option. This is especially true for those vessels that are made from unadulterated and pure clay that do not have any harmful coatings or glazes.

Clay is a natural material. As such, it does not react dangerously with the food when fired. This is why it won’t leach any harmful chemicals into the food. However, you need to make sure that you buy original clay vessels and not the secondary or tertiary clay that usually contains impurities.

Environmental Benefits of Clay Pots

Clay pots play a significant role in offering a sustainable lifestyle. While it boosts your health in a myriad of ways, as seen from the aforementioned discussion, it also leaves a positive impact on the environment. They are extremely valued by environmentalists and conservationists because of how much they give back to Mother Earth.

First and foremost, they decompose naturally and easily, which is in stark contrast to plastic and metal cookware or containers. As such, there is less stress on the environment. With reduced pollution, you contribute to a greener and healthier environment when you use clay pots for eating and cooking.

They are the perfect biodegradable and natural alternatives to plastic and metal cookware items. Besides, they have a high recyclability rate and are free from harmful chemicals. In addition, they are also long-lasting, thereby reducing the need for frequent replacements and ensuring minimal waste.

Different Types of Clay Pots to Keep in the Kitchen

Clay pots are extremely versatile and a wide range of them are available for you to suit your varied cooking needs. But if you are starting with clay vessels for the first time, we recommend you start with the basics.

Start with a clay Kadai that is ideal for spices to release their full flavours. Clay fry pans are perfect for sauteing veggies. Get some clay cups to sip your favourite hot and cold beverages, such as tea, coffee, or milkshakes. Serving mud pots keep food warm for a long time and add a rustic and Earthy charm to your dining experience.

Also, use clay water dispensers and water jars as they not only keep the water naturally cooler but also add a subtle sweet and earthy flavour to your regular water.

To Conclude

Clay pots have maintained their relevance for centuries due to their health and environmental benefits. They have been adopted by civilizations across the globe for their economical and sustainable features. Not only do they use less oil and maintain complete nutrition, but they also ensure uniform and even cooking.

They keep hot food warm and cold food cool for a longer time and ensure no toxic element leaches into your food. As they maintain an ideal pH balance, the taste of food prepared in clay pots is distinct and flavoursome. We, at MyGovindas, ensure we cook and serve many of our vegetarian dishes in clay pots so that they maintain the charm and authenticity of traditional cooking while also retaining a mouthwatering taste.