Avocado, being of American and Mexican origin has successfully seeped in the diets of us Indians. It is rich in fibers, fats and proteins and has many health benefits too. It can be blended with some of the dishes that Indians include in their diet. But a big question that arises here is do we really need any western fruit if we have an equivalent alternative from India? Here Jackfruit, also known as Kathal, comes into the picture.
Overview of Kathal:
Kathal, a superfood, is of Indian origin, rich in fibers, protein, vitamins and minerals which can be paired with many staple Indian dishes. But the sad part is that very few Indians barely know about the benefits of Kathal.
India is the largest producer of Jackfruit, a major portion coming from Odisha. The irony is we export around 27 million kgs of Kathal each year to nations like the USA, Saudi Arabia, and New Zealand. On the other hand, we import 3.09 million kgs of avocado from the USA and New Zealand. People in the west have been able to understand the benefits of Indian fruits more than the natives.
We should rethink this information and see how we can consume what we already grow in our own country rather than being dependent on other nations. Lately, people have started to look at it as a meat alternative. As it has a fibrous and meat-like texture, it absorbs the flavours well. Jackfruit is known as the powerhouse of nutrition.
Overview of Avocado:
Avocado on the other hand, is also a fruit rich in fibers and healthy fats. It is generally consumed by the upper class people who are conscious about their health and have high disposable income.
Avocados contain an abundance of nutrients that are essential for optimal health, and regularly consuming avocados could help improve overall diet quality.
Which superfood can be easily included in Indian diets?
Kathal recipes are little unexplored in the cities. It can be served as Kathal ki sabzi, kathal kofta, curry and also in the form of Kathal pickle. It must be us Indians who should understand the importance of Kathal as it is native to India.
On one hand is avocado, which can be paired with very few Indian dishes. It is mostly served as an avocado sandwich or in the form of salads. On the other hand we have kathal which is very easy to include in our regular meals.
Kathal ka achaar, a famous recipe from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar is also a delicious way to have kathal. To order, visit us at FarmDidi.
Why is Kathal becoming the new preference of Indians?
There is no point of debate in this question. The main reason why Indians prefer jackfruit over avocado is the price. If compared in nutritional value, both kathal and avocado go almost hand in hand. The price of the two is what makes Indians prefer one over another.
Avocado costs around Rs. 320 per kg while jackfruit costs around Rs. 100 per kg. Also, kathal is generally more readily available than avocado. Indians being very cost conscious and wanting value for money, often tend to choose products with high returns at a comparitively lower price.
Moreover, to include jackfruit in the diets, Indians do not have to change their pattern of diet. It can be served along with the staple Indian foods which we consume regularly.
Author - Mihir Khandhadia
