Recent searches
Search options
Administered by:
* A mysterious plant that’s not well known even by scientists in India *
Today I came across this 3' large and strange "tuber"(?), whose thin slices were being sold as a street-side snack near #mumbai in #india
It seems to be popular in southern India, usually near Hindu religious sites. It is sold under the name “Ram Kand Mool” and the mythological claim is that when the Hindu god Ram was in exile for 14 years, he sustained on this “fruit”.
Turns out, no one really knows what plant this is, and if it’s even safe to eat. There was some genetic testing done and it was found to be similar to Agave. The street vendors and their suppliers have kept it a secret all these years. This is honestly mind-boggling to me, that in a country of 1.3 billion a street snack’s origins is a secret.
The Wikipedia article on this seems to be plagiarized from this article - https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/food-wine/ram-kandmool-vegetable-summer-8604125/
@Ohsin - Thank you, going through this right now. Seems to have a lot more info than the link I shared.
@yazad3
Well, agave is edible, and is used to make tequila, and very many cacti are edible, and used in many ways. When I lived in Southern California, I had a huge cactus garden, and used various parts to make salads, pickles, jellies. I had so much that I gave a lot away to Mexican neighbors who had it as a regular part of their diet. I also grew agave, aloe, yucca - all edible (yucca has become a "fancy" food in urban restaurants).
@lolonurse thank you for sharing. I guess some of the concern of botanist here stems (pun intended) from not knowing the source (exact species) and also where it is sourced from. Also when you eat the agave - I would imaging you eat the leaves, right? This is the stem I think. When tequila is made I would imagine it is processed. Thank you again for sharing.
@yazad3
Hi. Agave is a cactus. It doesn't have stems & leaves, but rather, it has, much like aloe plants, fleshy "stems" with stiff, almost waxy exteriors, and pulpy interiors. With the Aloe Vera, the pulp, or gel, is used topically to treat burns, & help wounds heal. It can also be drunk as a juice to soothe ulcers. The edges of these "stems" generally have modified thorns or rough seams, for a modicum of self protection.
@lolonurse thank you again. 