The festive season is here, and what’s the most important part of this season? Delicacies cooked in ghee. Have you ever wondered why so many festive delicacies are cooked in ghee? Read on to know more about the benefits of ghee and why it is used in festive day preparations.
Indian cuisine is incomplete without ghee, the Indian clarified butter. Along with cooking, the health benefits of ghee are also marked in Ayurveda. It is an essential ingredient in Indian cuisine, especially during the festive season.
You can name any popular and tasty food item relished during the festive season, and the most important ingredient in these dishes is ghee.
Did you know, on average, India alone produces around 170 thousand metric tons of ghee? This is how important it is in Indian cooking. Pure desi ghee is a versatile ingredient and this article helps you discover different aspects of this super-ingredient and where you can find pure desi ghee in the USA.
What is the importance of ghee?
Ghee is clarified butter filled with taste, nutrition, and a lot of goodness. It is one of the reasons we can enjoy our sweets and snacks to the fullest. Right from delicious ladoos to spicy curries, ghee is a great ingredient, and it showers goodness in our festivals.
Along with great taste, ghee is also great for health. Indians across the world consider it as a home remedy.
Here are some reasons why ghee is important to health:
- Ghee works as a digestive stimulant.
- Ghee helps improve immunity.
- Because of its low levels of lactose and casein, ghee may be a good choice for lactose intolerant people.
- Ghee is nutritious and safe for most allergies and chronic conditions like diabetes.
- One teaspoon of pure ghee contains 42 calories and 5 grams of fat, Vitamins A, C, D, and K.
- Ghee is also a good source of Vitamin E which might lower the risk of cancer, arthritis, and cataracts.
- It can also help reduce the risk of heart disease.
- Ghee helps in getting relief from cough and cold.
- Ghee is traditional medicine and provides energy.
What is ghee used for?
Here are widespread uses and benefits of ghee during the festival time:
Religious rituals
Religious ceremonies like poojas and Aartis are an important part of every indian festive celebration. Using ghee in diya is auspicious as it spreads positivity during the aarti. Pooja and aarti literally mean worshipping god and offering devotional homage. The aarti plate or thali has a significant ‘Diya’ or traditional lamp used to offer prayers, and these diyas are lit with wicks soaked in pure ghee.
Festival food preparations
Whether a fasting or a regular festival menu, Indian festive recipes are incomplete without a generous amount of ghee. With multiple benefits of eating ghee and its nutritional values, it is used on festivals to keep us healthy and active.
Ghee is a low-calorie substitute for heavy oils and butter and is easy to digest during this season. Most festival food preparations are made with pure desi ghee, which makes every recipe nutritious and tasty.
Havans
Havan literally means sacred oblation performed in Hindu culture. It is a traditional ritual accomplished by burning offerings such as sandalwood, ghee, and grains. Havans are performed during the major poojas at home or on special occasions like the birth of a child in a family, weddings, house-warming ceremonies, etc.
Ghee is used generously in this havan as it helps ignite the fire, and the havan continues to be fiercely lighted. In Hindu culture, burning ghee is believed to be an invitation to Lord Kubera, the treasurer of wealth. This is why havans are performed on significant occasions like buying a new house as it is believed to be maintaining positivity, opulence, and healthy-wealthy being of the family members in their fresh starts.
Is it OK to eat ghee every day?
Ghee is safe to consume at any time of the year, not just during the festivities. With a longer shelf life, you can enjoy the benefits of ghee for a longer time.
Festivals bring the entire family together.
Indian festivals are about preparing tasty delicacies on special occasions and bringing relatives and close ones together during auspicious times. The joy that echoed from these get-togethers, adults cheering with playful kids, and having their mouthfuls of sweets makes Indian festivals memorable. This all brings the family closer and marks memories for a lifetime.
Ghee is a special ingredient that keeps the tradition going along with multiple health benefits discussed in this article. We hope this article helps you understand the benefits of ghee, its regular use in diet, maintaining health, and enjoying delicious preparations on these festive days.
Rajbhog Foods is the perfect place for you to get pure desi ghee. Along with ghee, all our dairy products are made with fresh cow milk and the highest quality ingredients. Here is an interesting article explaining the benefits of adding dairy products to your diet.
This festive season, you can buy packs of Rajbhog Ghee at the nearest grocery stores across the nation along with Rajbhog Cafés, our iconic Indian restaurants.