Banana leaf

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Banana leaf is the leaf of the Banana tree. It is used as a decorative element for auspicious ceremonies in Hindu and Buddhist cultures. It is also used as a plate to serve food in countries like India.

[edit] Ceremonies

Predominantly used by Hindus and Buddhists as a decorative element for auspicious functions (marriages) and ceremonies in India (notable states Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu)and Southeast Asia, notably Thailand [1] and Cambodia [2].

[edit] Food

South Indian food [3] is usually served in Banana leaf.Often used for visiting guests as a mark of hospitality. Today western tourists visiting South India often try an Indian meal in them (which often seems to be on their priority lists). Also, banana leaf experience can be had in Indian restaurants in Malaysia and Singapore [4].

Also some South Indian and Khmer (Cambodian) recipes uses banana leaves as a wrapper for frying, later removed to retain flavour.

In some Indian states, banana leaves play such an important role that there a banana plantations that solely depend on banana leaf trade.