When it comes to cooking, Indians have developed the cuisines and recipes from ages. We have gone strong on herbs, spices and condiments to enhance the flavors, and add their benefits.
With ingredients, our great recipes are also made with the help of pure metals & utensils. If you visit your hometowns and villages, you may find the golden utensils in huge sizes as a part of their sustainable living culture. These gold-like utensils are not only used for their solid structure but also because of the natural minerals that they infuse into cooking and serving the food.
Likewise, choosing the proper utensil for cooking becomes important according to the ingredients as well. With natural metals, it enhances the nutritional value of the food and works on the taste as well.
Benefits of using brass utensils have been celebrated since ages. Let’s discuss the multiple uses, benefits and understand the importance of brass in kitchenware-
Brass or “Pittal” is an alloy made with 70% copper & 30% zinc. It is antibacterial in nature and pacifies imbalanced Pitta dosha according to Ayurveda. Brass has been used since ancient times as referred in Charak Samhita, as multiple treatment tools, and in powdered form as ashes or bhasma. If the brass utensils are tinned properly and from time to time, it can be utilized for many purposes.
- Since the lactic acid of milk doesn’t cause any reaction with the tinned brass utensils, it can be used to store milk, ghee and curd as well. Without tinned brass utensils, it would react and sour the milk, so make sure every six months the tinning is done in your utensils.
- It is suitable for cutting and storing fruits and vegetables as it can store citric food without causing oxidation.
- Brass utensils are used in holy activities. Brass diya is used in every Pooja and religious activity as it is pure alloy. The sound created from brass temple bells is considered holy, therapeutic and creates a positive aura in the room.
- Brass is highly useful in creating water pipes and joint elements for plumbing, electronics and construction material, all thanks to its corrosion resistant nature.
- Brass is used to make the connectors and fasteners, tools and appliances parts as it is low friction and doesn’t corrode easily.
- Brass is used to make musical instruments. Trumpets, trombone, baritone, tuba and French horn, all are made with brass.
- Brass is very popular for creating decorative items. For its aesthetic value, brass is popularly used to create show pieces, table lamps and hangings, door handles and knobs, door knocks, hardware for cabinets, bathroom accessories etc.
Brass is ductile, antibacterial, corrosion resistant and strong, and it makes a popular choice of metal to work and create useful products for sustainable living. Instead of using corroding, or environment damaging materials, one should choose brass in their daily living to maintain the ecosystem, reduce our carbon footprint, and become earth-friendly.
