Herbs: Fully Loaded with Flavour!

Just as any teen comedy in the early 00’s was incomplete without Lindsay Lohan, food is incomplete without some fresh garnish. So, it hardly matters if you have yourself a huge garden, or a balcony, or even a small windowsill – it doesn’t get any fresher than growing your own herbs.

Freshly-plucked seasonings on a bowl full of soup or curries or tea, do more than just look and smell lovely. They’re rich in antioxidants, are anti-inflammatory, they carry several vitamins and essential oils – that both, your palate and body will thank you for. Get your gardening gloves on, because it’s party thyme!

How you can get started:

• Growing your ‘herb garden’

There is a special ring to hearing the word ‘organic’ when it comes to your produce, and growing your bunch (of herbs) at home makes sure that your food is less commercial and more authentic. Herbs are like your low-maintenance friend – very easy to grow, while all they need is a good amount of sunlight and nice container that is roomy enough for its roots and has drainage holes.

The concept of “sustainability” has been in vogue for the larger part of the last few years, and your herb garden can be just that. Get creative with your plant containers – use cartons, plastic bottles, empty liquor bottles that are too pretty to throw out, etc. Adding to that, use your kitchen’s wet waste (like vegetable peels, tea leaves…) to make your own compost. Your herbs will appreciate it!

• Non-expert advice on what your garden needs

Like your diet needs a 360 degree balance, your plants need to be rotated regularly, keeping the source of sunlight in mind. This way, they grow best and you need not worry about the rest.

Checking the amount of water required by each plant’s soil prior to clustering them together is advisable. For easy estimation, dig your finger inside the soil and on the basis of dryness, you may decide to water it appropriately. Avoid overwatering your plant as it might lead to rot.

Your plants need as much fresh air as you do, so bear in mind to allot a well-ventilated space for your herb tray, which in turn will also help you avoid insects.

Clip and prune your herbs to allow them to grow faster and better. You might want to consult somebody with a green thumb for more on plant-specific tendencies!

• Herbs that you can easily nourish, that nourish you back

Choosing herbs that you would like to pluck for your cooking most often are a good place to start. You are what you eat, so here’s all the encourage-mint on why your meals need garden-fresh herbs –

1. Mint is rich in fibre, vitamin A, iron, and folate.

2. Lemon although not technically a herb, is a good source of not only vitamin C, but potassium and magnesium as well.

3. Coriander has the magical ability to make your food look better while boosting your strength with vitamin B6, folate, and vitamin E.

4. Basil with calcium, vitamin A, and thymine – for pesto and for your immunity, is the best-o.

5. Spring Onion has got phosphorous, vitamin B2, and vitamin A.

6. Curry Leaves and Carom Leaves (ajwain) both have jolly good amounts of calcium, iron, vitamin A, and magnesium to offer to your tastebuds and your immune system.

Herbs are refreshing and incredibly light, yet robust when paired with most Indian foods. Make the freshest, brightest salads, raitas, chutneys, tea concoctions, and curries with them! You’d be surprised at how many home remedies herbs bring to the table, aside from fragrance and bite to your food. They can be instant cures for colds, flus, and upset, rumbling tummies.

So, the next time you find yourself groaning about having to shell out 10s for a bunch of kothamalli from your grumpy vendor, start be-leafing in yourself, and make your own little herb garden because they will always be rooting for you!

Written by Vaishnavi Sarda

Photo Credit: Sahana Dasharathi

Cover Credit: Shria Bellalcheroo