Food
HungryNaki expands service to 5 more zones
App-based food delivery service company HungryNaki, a concern of Daraz Bangladesh, has recently stretched its service to five more zones to reach more people.
At a time when the country has entered "strict lockdown" in the wake of a fresh surge of coronavirus infections and fatalities, food connoisseurs living in Savar, Gazipur, Keraniganj, Tongi and Cumilla will get food delivery service from HungryNaki.
From Thursday, food lovers from these areas can order their favourite delicacies. People of those areas can also place orders for necessary groceries.
Also read: Daraz acquires food delivery Start-up HungryNaki
Restaurants, including Mithai (Cumilla), Tasty Treat (Keraniganj), Pizza Hut (Savar), will be delivering mouth-watering dishes to the food connoisseurs. There will be 100 other restaurants offering the food lovers a delicious gastronomical journey through HungryNaki.
The app-based food delivery service company will charge Tk19 as a delivery fee.
Abu Saleh Didar, head of commercial at HungryNaki, said: "HungryNaki wants to spread its service across the country and live up to the expectations of the food lovers and customers. So, we have recently expanded our service to five more zones. We will keep expanding so that even someone from a suburb can enjoy what he/she loves."
Read Best Food Delivery Apps in Bangladesh in 2021
Egg Diet For Weight Loss: Does It Work?
When it comes to dieting, salads, quinoa and detox shakes come to mind as staples for weight loss. Normally, food with high fiber content and low fat are favoured as they are low on calories and help to increase metabolism. The intention is to burn fat, therefore sugar, fat and anything fried is highly avoided. What if we told you there was an ingredient out there that could help with that, but isn’t a chore to consume? Believe it or not, eggs aren’t only used for bodybuilding diets; they have fat loss properties that almost put them on par with other dietary staples. Here is how the egg diet can help with weight loss.
What is the Egg Diet?
The first thing to note about the egg diet is that despite its health benefits, its portion should be comparable to what’s seen on the food pyramid scale. Dairy products and meat are almost at the top of said pyramid, which means that the serving size should be one of the least out of all the ingredients for a well balanced diet. Still, eggs should be a core component of your diet, specifically chicken eggs due to being low on calories and carbohydrates while packing an impressive amount of protein. Although eggs are beneficial for attaining muscle mass, it is still safe to consume the ingredient daily for its weight-loss benefits.
Read Mango desserts: Some mouthwatering recipes for trying at home
While it is possible to go on an “egg only” diet, it would be difficult to supplement your body with other critical nutrients like Vitamins, Carbohydrates and even fat. Therefore going down this route is an unsafe risk not worth taking. Like any ingredient-focused diet, constantly consuming one particular ingredient can get boring after a while, which is where eggs can really come into their own.
From poached to boiled or scrambled, eggs have some of the most diverse ways to be prepared which can be an incentive to switch up the menu everyday while still consuming the recommended amount of eggs. The diet is traditionally run for only two weeks, and restricts all food consumption to only three meals a day - which means no snacking!
Read Milk Tea Vs. Black Tea Vs. Green Tea: Which is the healthiest option?
Purpose Of The Egg Diet
It would be perfectly normal to question the point of an Egg diet if the risks are this intimidating and that there are possibly safer diets to commit to when intending to lose fat. The main purpose of this diet is to shock the body and break a plateau you might be on when losing weight. Once the body is conditioned to consume only the healthy contents of a diet, it tends to slow down in terms of metabolism, which is where the stint of the egg diet comes in handy.
The small window of time you have to enjoy the egg-focused diet is meant to heighten your overall fat and protein intake, while reducing the variety of carbohydrates you are allowed to take. You aren’t sworn off carbohydrates like a full ketogenic diet or Atkins, but it will dramatically restrict your choices in order to shock your body into a calorie and carbohydrate deficit.
Read Health Benefits of Different Types of Nuts
Mango desserts: Some mouthwatering recipes for trying at home
Seasonal mango desserts can be absolutely satisfying for you in the scorching heat. At this time of the year, mango should become a daily food. Every house in Bengal is festive with the smell of mangoes. Mango desserts are made in different ways to make this joy more special. Not only that, every year this dessert is surrounded by small and big seasonal businesses. The food is undoubtedly eye-catching as well as quite profitable due to high demand. Here are some tips to help you make the best of this seasonal fruit.
8 recipes for making ripe mango dessert
1 | Mango Ice Cream
Everything you need to make mango ice cream:
→ 2 cups of liquid milk
→ 1/4 cup of powdered milk
→ 1/4 cup of condensed milk
→ Mango puree
How to make Mango Ice Cream:
In a bowl, mix well with liquid milk, powdered milk, and condensed milk. Then put the pot on the stove keeping the heat in medium condition. Keep stirring repeatedly for some time. Then take the pot off and let the milk cool down a bit and put it in the fridge. After 2 hours, blend a cup of mango puree and cold milk well in a blender. After a while, when a thick mixture is formed, pour it into a container. If you leave the mixture in the fridge for 12 hours, the ice cream will be ready.
Read Milk Tea Vs. Black Tea Vs. Green Tea: Which is the healthiest option?
2 | Mango Pudding
Ingredients that will be needed in this recipe:
→ 3 egg yolks
→ 3 tablespoons sugar
→ 1 cup ripe mango juice
→ Half liter milk
→ 1 tablespoon gelatin
→ 2 tablespoons water
→ Cream
→ Half a cup of sliced mango
→ 1/4 cup pomegranate
→ Mint leaves
Preparation method of Mango Pudding:
First, soak the gelatin in water for a while. Meanwhile, mix the egg yolks, sugar, and milk well in a pot and put it on the stove. Then turn off the stove after a while with gelatin in it. Then add mango juice and stir for a while more. Then take it out of the stove and put it in a container and keep it in the fridge. After two hours, remove from the fridge and garnish with cream, mango pieces, pomegranate, and mint leaves. So the mango pudding is ready.
Read: Health Benefits of Different Types of Nuts
3 | Mango Faluda
Ingredients required:
→ Half packet noodles
→ Half cup of sago grains
→ 1-liter of milk
→ 1 cup of sugar
→ 2 teaspoons of vanilla essence
→ Jam
→ Pesta nuts
→ Sweet ball
→ Ice cream
How to make Mango Faluda:
First, boil the noodles and add water. Soak the sago seeds. It will swell after a while. Add 1-liter of milk with a little fuel and leave the sago grains in it. After 2-3 minutes, when it is cooked with noodles, mix sugar and vanilla and keep stirring. When the sugar is melted, take it out of the stove. Faluda has become. Now after cooling, pour faluda into a bowl and add ice cream to it. You can garnish it with jam, pistachio nuts, and sweet balls to serve it nicely.
4 | Mango Phirni
Everything you need to make mango phirni:
→ 4-5 tablespoons of rice
→ 1-liter full cream milk
→ 8-10 teaspoons of sugar
→ Saffron
→ Cardamom powder
→ Ripe mango
How to make Mango Phirni:
Soak the rice for 1 hour and strain the water. Then grind the rice. Boil the milk in a pan and reduce the heat of the stove. After a while, when the milk thickens, cook it with rice. Now add sugar and mango pulp. Mango has already returned. Now mix cardamom powder and saffron and wait for it to cool.
Read: Top Mango Varieties in Bangladesh
5 | Mango Halwa
Necessary ingredients:
→ 2 cups ripe mango
→ Half a cup of ghee
→ 1 cup sugar
→ A few almond crumbs
→ A few cashew nuts
Method of preparation of Mango Halwa:
In a frypan, fry almonds and cashew nuts for 1 minute. In another bowl, mix sugar and mango well and put them on the stove. After stirring on low heat, add ghee and stir until it becomes thick. After a while, when it becomes pudding, take it down from the stove. Then sprinkle the fried cashew nuts on top of the mango pudding and serve.
Read Bangladesh Cloud Kitchen Business Heralds Improved Food Delivery Services
6 | Mango Lassi
Ingredients needed:
→ 1 ripe mango
→ 1 tablespoon sugar
→ 1 cup sweet yogurt
→ 2/3 grated pesto-nuts
→ 1 pinch cardamom powder
Mango lassi recipe:
Firstly peel squash and take out the mango seed. Then blend the mango in a blender and take it to the bowl. Now blend yogurt, sugar, and ice cubes together. After adding mango to the yogurt mixture, blend it once more. Then pour the blended mixture into a glass. Lassi is already made. Now spread cardamom powder and pistachio nuts on top.
Read Famous Traditional Sweets and Desserts in Bangladesh
7 | Mango Mastani
Ingredients of Mango Mastani Recipe:
→ 100 grams of ripe mango
→ Mango ice cream 100 grams
→ Sugar
→ 200 ml milk
→ A little cardamom powder
→ Almond pieces
How to make Mango Mastani:
Spread mango peel and cut it into pieces. Then blend well with mango, sugar, and milk in a blender. If it is too thick, mix it with water. Pour the blended mixture into a glass and refrigerate for half an hour.
Now take it out of the fridge, add mango ice cream to the cold mixture, and spread almond powder and cardamom powder on it. Mango Mastani was made.
Read: Mouthwatering Healthy Snacks Ideas for Eid in Lockdown
8 | Ripe Mango Papad
Useful Ingredients:
→ Smashed mangoes
→ Sugar, the same amount of mango
→ Mustard oil as needed
The way of making Mango Papad:
Blend the mango in a blender without any water. Filter the fiber left. Now mix this mango sugar in a pan and put it on the stove. After stirring frequently, when the mango becomes thick, take it out of the stove. Now apply mustard oil to a bamboo pot and apply this boiled mango on it with your hands. Then put the bamboo pot under the stove. When one layer dries, you can add another layer on top. After each layer, dry it well. After drying, remove the prepared papad and keep it in the fridge.
Piling up
Mango desserts can be a small family business rather than just being kept inside the home. The importance of culinary arts around the world has never been less. But now it has become more and more attractive as a profession due to online social media. So you can start your own small business by making different mango desserts. Apart from the above 10 ways, you can use your creativity to create all the amazing dessert items.
Read Apple Cider Vinegar: Benefits and Risk of Regular Consumption
Milk Tea Vs. Black Tea Vs. Green Tea: Which is the healthiest option?
Tea has been a staple for many cafe meetups, hosting of guests at home and even business meetings, but how are we exactly choosing our teas? Often, we pick a flavour that satisfies our pallet but rarely ever try to distinguish the archetypes of tea we consumed. Black tea is often known for its potent flavour and aroma, while green and yellow teas have been widely known for their detox properties and lightness. When partaking in the beverage more often than we realise, it’s good to know about which is the healthiest option among milk tea, black tea and green tea.
Health benefits of Black Tea
Starting with the strongest of the lot, black tea prides itself on its strong flavours and caffeine content - a possible replacement for coffee for those who are not fans of the latter. The tea comes from the Camellia Sinensis plant which is responsible for creating some of your favourite flavours like Earl Grey, Chai and English Breakfast!
Read Matcha Green Tea Health Benefits
Black tea primarily prides itself on being a caffeine-based substitute, which means that a boost of energy and alertness will come naturally when consuming a cup of this, along with a few other health benefits like improved metabolism, high antioxidant levels, improved heart health and a boosted metabolism. The commonality of these benefits is that they increase the activity of bodily functions due to the high amounts of energy the body goes through when consuming the strongest of the teas. This results in a spike in blood flow which also can present certain risks when consumed in excess.
Issues like insomnia, irregular heartbeat, restlessness and headaches are common causes of a surplus of caffeine in the body, but it is not exclusive to black tea. When consumed correctly, black tea has a decent amount of health benefits that boost the performance of regular bodily functions but does not hold its identity as a detox agent - unlike some of the other teas on this list.
Read Health benefits of Chamomile Tea
What Green Tea Does to Your Body
Green tea is the king of detoxification and has been loved by the fitness community for many years. The perks of being filled with antioxidants, containment of EGCG (a potent compound that can minimise risks of certain diseases) and the ability to boost brain activity has put this tea at the forefront of many cleansing diets. The tea also boosts metabolism and is a go-to for many who are trying to lose weight. Despite all of these perks, the tea doesn’t face as many downsides as some other types of tea. Of course, like everything else, when taken in excess, green tea can display a series of negative side effects. Symptoms like vomiting, heartburn, diarrhoea, dizziness and ringing in the ears are common but usually will take about eight cups a day to see these side effects. As long as the tea is consumed in moderation, there is little to fear.
Read Best Tea Brands in Bangladesh
Benefits of Consuming Milk Tea
Since milk tea is such a common beverage, it’s important to distinguish the health perks that come with adding milk with tea. Granted, many of the nutritional perks and minerals will vary based on the tea used, but milk in its own right can be a healthy staple if the right type is used.
On the base level, it’s a given that milk contains heaps of calcium which is effective for strengthening bone density and overall health. Milk also does wonders for the skin and can be used for anti-inflammatory purposes, but to a significantly lesser extent when compared to teas. It’s extremely common for milk tea to be littered with unhealthy chemicals when sold commercially under the “Bubble Tea” umbrella, as well as other flavoured variations that don’t shy away from flavoured syrup, tapioca pearls, aloe vera bits and much more.
In order to get the bang for your buck in terms of health, skim milk or even half and a half for those partaking in the “Keto Diet” will find that milk can be a valuable ingredient that can complement tea effectively.
Read Pink Chai: Kashmiri Tea Health Benefits, Recipe
Black Tea V Green Tea V Milk Tea: Which One is the Best?
To consider the “best” or the “most healthy” option, it’s important to lay the ground rules for these terms. The healthiest often leans towards the product that offers the most nutritional benefits with the least severe side effects.
Although black tea is packed with beneficial nutrients and enhancing qualities, it primarily benefits the body with its caffeine-heavy qualities which do well to jump-start the body but poses the most risk when taken in excess. Consumers have varying levels of tolerance for caffeine, which can be fatal for those with existing heart conditions if too much black tea is consumed. Milk tea is a strange one as there are many variables to consider before deeming the blend as “healthy”. Often, milk is either complemented with sugar, artificial flavouring and tons more, but this doesn’t have to be the case. Consuming milk in moderation is good for the body as previously mentioned and can be an enhancement when taking it sparingly.
Read Coronavirus Tips: Immunity Booster Herbal Teas to Prevent infections.
All in all, milk is a decent pick to go along with tea, but it is best to see them as two separate sources of nutrients that complement each other, rather than hoping that milk will do the nutritional heavy lifting for low-grade tea and its shortcomings.
Lastly, green tea has gotten a lot of attention from the fitness community for years and it’s not hard to see why. The light beverage is packed with tons of nutrients and stems directly from plant bases. Matcha, in particular, is one of the most potent among the lot as it is unfiltered andhas one of the most refined collections of nutritional benefits.
In conclusion, green tea has the most amount of versatility when it comes to health benefits, but black tea, yellow tea and milk tea don’t necessarily fall that far behind. Black tea serves the purpose of a replacement for coffee very well but does not see as many benefits in other areas when compared to green tea. If you’re looking for weight loss and general detox, green tea is the way to go.
Read Masala Tea Health Benefits: How Can It Improve Your Immunity
Health Benefits of Different Types of Nuts
Nuts are a very popular fruit and healthy food in our country as well as all over the world. But very few people know the health benefits of different nuts. Nuts contain many more nutrients like fiber, proteins, vitamins, which help in curing various diseases. Peanuts, walnuts, pesto nuts, wood nuts (almonds), and cashews have a huge amount of dietary energy. All types of nuts are now available in our country. So, if you develop the habit of eating nuts without salt every day, you will stay healthy and fit. Let's know the nutritional value of different types of nuts.
Peanuts
Peanuts are not actually tree nuts. Rather, it belongs to the bean family. However, conventional nuts and Peanuts contain the same nutrients. Peanuts are rich in antioxidants, vitamins A, D, B, healthy fats, and nutrients. It is rich in magnesium, which reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke. The antioxidants in it maintain good health and a good mood. It helps to reduce asthma problems significantly. A handful of peanuts has 176 calories. The climate and soil of Bangladesh are quite suitable for growing peanuts. Bauphal and Vola are the two places where nuts grow more in Bangladesh. However, the average production of peanuts in Bangladesh is only 500 Kg per acre.
Read Macher Jhol in Melbourne: Transcending borders through food!
Walnuts
Walnuts are one of the most popular nuts. It has vitamins B, C, and E. Besides the vitamins it also contains iron, polyunsaturated fatty acids, magnesium, and phosphorus. Walnuts increase brain function, aid digestion, increase immunity and eliminate vitamin deficiency disease avitaminosis. Studies have also shown that walnuts help control diabetes and prevent some types of cancer.
Walnuts are a rich source of omega 3 fatty acids as well as alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). Eating walnuts everyday lowers bad cholesterol and maintains blood flow through the circulatory system. A handful of walnuts has 182 calories. Walnuts are produced in Bangladesh in a very small amount, but most of the country imports them to meet the demand of the urban population.
Hazelnut
Originally produced in Turkey and Italy, Hazelnut is said to be a source of minerals, vitamin E, and polyunsaturated fats. It also has a lot of carbohydrates. These nuts play a good role in protecting the heart and reducing cholesterol. Hazelnuts help reduce inflammation and lower triglyceride levels. It helps in lowering bad cholesterol as well as increasing the level of vitamin E in the blood. 100 gram of Hazelnuts contains 628 calories.
Read Intermittent Fasting: Health Benefits and Risks
Almonds
Almonds are rich in Vitamin E and Magnesium. So it keeps hair, skin, and nails well. It also keeps the metabolic process active and normalizes blood sugar. Several studies have shown that wood nuts keep insulin levels right before diabetes occurs. Besides, Almonds help lower the bad cholesterol (LDL), total cholesterol, and oxidized LDL cholesterol, all of which are bad for the heart. So it is especially beneficial for the heart. Almond has low calories that can eventually lose weight. Besides, overweight people also get benefits from Almonds as it can reduce blood pressure. Normally 161 calories are available in a handful of almonds. It grows in tropical regions from Africa to South and Southeast Asia to Australia. In Kishoreganj, some trees can be seen in many places, including Horticulture Center, Prajapatkhila, Katabaria, Latiabad, Yashodal.
Cashew Nuts
Cashew nuts are high in protein, carbohydrates, vitamin A, iron, zinc, calcium, and potassium. It lowers cholesterol and boosts immunity. It also increases fertility and keeps tooth enamel strong. Regular consumption of cashew nuts eliminates many digestive problems. One study shows that a 20% calorie diet from cashews improved blood pressure in people having metabolic syndrome.
Cashew nuts have no significant effect on body weight or blood sugar levels. A handful of cashews contains 155 calories. Cashew nuts are produced in the Chittagong Hill Tracts and Lalmai hills of Comilla. In the Chittagong Hill Tracts, about 400 acres of hilly land were brought under cashew cultivation in 2008. Nevertheless, cashew cultivation has been on a commercial basis in Rangamati since independence. However, a good portion of cashew nuts in Bangladesh is exported abroad.
Read: Top Mango Varieties in Bangladesh
Pine Nuts
Originally from pine trees in Europe, these nuts are high in vitamin E, antioxidants, and amino acids, which boost immunity. It is easily digested, so babies and pregnant women are advised to eat these nuts. These nuts are also useful in resolving brain problems, hair and skin problems. 100 grams of Pine nuts has 673 calories.
Pistachio
Pesto has more vitamins, amino acids, and minerals than all other nuts. It contains copper, magnesium, phosphorus, which cures vision problems and bone problems. Pistachios are high in fiber and help reduce cholesterol levels by lowering bad cholesterol. Besides, it helps raise good cholesterol (HDL). Pistachio helps improve oxidative stress, blood pressure as well as work on reducing weight. However, Oxidative stress is normally a low level of oxidized chemicals that available in the blood that help overcome heart disease. You will get 156 calories from a handful of Pistachio. It mainly grows in Central Asia and the Middle East.
Brazil nuts
Brazil nuts are found in the Amazon Forest. It contains selenium which is one kind of mineral that serves as an antioxidant. Minerals usually helps us to keep the body fit and healthy. Eating a few Brazilian nuts every day delivers 100 percent of the daily needs of selenium. Brazil nuts contain methionine, which contributes to the breakdown of fats and the generation of vital energy from them. You will get 656 calories form 100 grams Brazil nuts.
Read: Different forms of Vitamin D: Benefits, sources of Vitamin D1 vs D2 vs D3
Marcona Almonds
Marcona nuts are a kind of sweet nut from Spain and very popular in the Mediterranean countries. However, it is very popular in the USA, especially in restaurants. But nowadays it is available in retail stores. You are getting zinc, magnesium, potassium, fiber, and iron from Marcona Almonds. 100 grams of Marcona can get you 250 calories.
Final Words
Nutritionists say that, since nuts are a nutritious food, they should be eaten in moderation. Nuts should not be eaten more than 50 to 100 grams per day. However, eating too much nuts can be harmful to the body. It is a fibrous food, and it can cause stomach gas and stomach upset. In addition, nuts are a protein-rich food, and as we take protein with fish, meat and pulses. Hence, taking too much protein can be risky for kidney disease.
Read Health Benefits of Chamomile Tea
Macher Jhol in Melbourne: Transcending borders through food!
The quintessential Bengali 'Macher Jhol’ or fish curry has now reached the table of Masterchef Australia. All thanks to 38-year-old Bangladeshi expat Kishwar Chowdhury who has made it to the celebrated show this season.
A mother of two, Chowdhury is pursuing her dream of becoming a cookbook author aiming to showcase recipes handed down by her mother Laila Chowdhury (recent one being the macher jhol or fish curry).
The homemaker made her way to MasterChef Australia Season 13 with her sardines in green mango broth, served with black lentils, beetroot and blood orange bhorta.
Read: Kishwar wins Australians hearts with her Bangladeshi recipe on Masterchef
Later, she cooked several drool-worthy Bengali cuisines on the show -- from Chingri Bhorta (mashed prawns) to the humble Maach Bhaja (fish fry).
She aims to put Bangladeshi cuisine on the global culinary map with her passion for cooking, bringing international recognition to homegrown flavours but with a twist.
“If I don’t do that this food recipe and flavor will fade with me, I really want to pass them to my children,” she said in an earlier interview.
“This is testament to the fact that simple food, you have nowhere to hide with it, can be the best and most triumphant in the world," one of the judges said about Kishwar’s dishes in the competition.
Read: Different forms of Vitamin D: Benefits, sources of Vitamin D1 vs D2 vs D3
MasterChef Australia is an Australian competitive cooking show based on the original British MasterChef.
Initial rounds consist of a large number of hopeful contestants from across Australia individually "auditioning" by presenting a food dish before the three judges in order to gain one of 50 semi-final places.
The semi-finalists then compete in several challenges that test their food knowledge and preparation skills.
The contestants will then be whittled down through a number of individual and team-based cooking challenges and weekly elimination rounds until a winning MasterChef is crowned.
Read Most creative ways to eat more fruits for the non-fruit eaters
The contestants of MasterChef Australia, play for a prize that includes chef training from leading professional chefs, the chance to have their own cookbook published, and $ 250,000 in cash.
Top Mango Varieties in Bangladesh
Although jackfruit is the national fruit of Bangladesh, mango, the queen of fruits, is several times ahead in terms of production, trade, and consumer demand. According to the Department of Horticultural Research, ten countries produce 21 varieties of mangoes on a commercial basis. Among the 21 varieties, half of these are improved varieties of mango. However, there are hundreds of varieties of mangoes that grow in Bangladesh, and over 270 varieties grow in Rajshahi alone. The mango season lasts for a total of 5 months, from May to September, but most mangoes are available from June to July. Here we have listed the most renowned mango varieties in Bangladesh.
The Best Mango Varieties in Bangladesh
The mango season in Bangladesh can be divided into three parts, early varieties, mid-season varieties, and Nabi varieties. Early varieties of mangoes ripen from the second week of May to mid-June, and among these notable varieties are, Gopalbhog, Govindobhog, Brindabani, Gulabkhash, Ranipchanda, Himsagar, Kshirshapat, and BARI-1. Starting from mid-June, the mid-season mangoes start to ripen, Langra, Haribhanga, Lakkhanbhog, Khudikhirsha, BARI-2, Bombay, Surjopuri, etc. are among them. Nabi variety ripens from July to the first week of September. They are Fazli, Amrapali, Mohanbhog, Ashwina, Gaurmati, BARI-3, BARI-4, etc.
Gopalbhog
Among all the early varieties, Gopalbhog comes first in the market. Cultivated in Rajshahi, Natore, and Chapainawabganj, Gopalbhog mango is medium in size; ripe mango is yellowish-green in color, the peel is not completely yellow when ripe, kernels are thin, no scales, and sweet.
Gopalbhog is medium tall and mostly round, with a medium chest in the middle, the shoulder is high, the average length is 6.8 cm, the weight of the fruit is 208.0 to 500 grams, 2 to 4 mangoes and mango weighs 1 kg. In the initial season, the price for Gopalbhog mango is Tk. 120- Tk. 140 per Kg. However, upon the availability of other varieties, it may be reduced to less than Tk. 100 per Kg.
Read: Different forms of Vitamin D: Benefits, sources of Vitamin D1 vs D2 vs D3
Himsagar
After Gopalbhog, Himsagar mangoes start ripening from the first week of June and are available in the market throughout the month of June. A full-sized Himsagar is shaped in the round on the chest and concave or slightly oblong from the sinuses, and the apex is round. The color of ripe Himsagar mango is light green and remains green even after ripening. The skin is smooth and thin. This variety of mango has no lips.
It is a very fragrant mango with excellent taste. Besides, the shell is soft and fibrous, and orange. Ripe mangoes can be kept indoors for up to eight days after collection. The average weight of the fruit is 219 grams, and the length is up to 6.89 cm. This variety is widely cultivated in Damurhuda Upazila of Chuadanga district, Sadar Upazila of Meherpur district, Sadar, Debhata, Kalaroa, and Tala Upazilas of Satkhira district. Usually, Himsagar is priced at Tk. 80 to Tk. 120 per Kg.
Read Famous Traditional Sweets and Desserts in Bangladesh
Langra
There are no people in Bangladesh who do not like Langra mango. It looks a bit round and smooth. Its nose can be seen at the bottom, and its skin is very thin. It comes on the market in mid-June. Weighing 200-600 grams each mango, Langra is known as the king of mangoes. It is extraordinary in color with this shell, incomparably sweet taste and smell.
The kernels are thin and non-fibrous. Langra mango is grown in almost all the districts of Bangladesh. However, it is found more in Chapai, Rajshahi, Naogaon, and Natore areas. Depending on the production and season, the average price for Langra mango is Tk. 70- Tk. 100 per Kg.
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Harivanga
The only fibreless mango in Bangladesh is Haribhanga Mango from Rangpur. It is thick on top and thinner at the bottom. Its kernel is round, small, and a little long. Besides, it has a shapely body and a fleshy appearance. It is a fibreless mango. A piece of Harivanga weighs more than other mangoes. Usually, an average of three mangoes weighs one Kg.
Sometimes each mango weighs 500-600 grams. However, the good thing about this variety is that the ripe mangoes remain intact for a long time. The skin can be seen wrinkled but stays good inside. This mango can be eaten raw or ripe, which is sold at Tk. 40 to Tk. 60 per Kg.
Read: Apple Cider Vinegar: Benefits and Risk of Regular Consumption
Fazli
Fazli is one of the popular mangoes in Bangladesh. It is large in size and weighs 400 to 1000 grams. Fazli is long in shape and somewhat flat. When ripe, the skin changes color from green to slightly yellow. The shell is yellow, unpretentious, very juicy and fragrant, delicious and sweet. It has a thin peel.
In our country, the Chapainawabganj district is at the forefront of Fazli mango production. However, high-quality Fazli mangoes are widely cultivated in Bagha and Charghat areas. Chapai's Fazli is large in size. Although the Bagha's Fazli is smaller in size and it is incomparable in taste. Typically, Fazli mango costs around Tk. 60 to Tk.100 per Kg in the regular season.
Read Most creative ways to eat more fruits for the non-fruit eaters
Amrapali
Amrapali is a Nabi variety of mango. It is considered a hybrid variety as it was produced from two other varieties of mangoes. It was a hybrid production from Lakhnow's Dushehiri and Neelam mangoes. The fruit is elongated, and the lower part is very curved.
The skin color of Amrapali is green and slightly yellow when ripe. The skin is smooth and thin. The color of the peel is orange, very juicy, delicious, and fragrant, and does not have any fiber. The price for Amrapali stays between Tk. 70 to Tk. 90. per Kg.
Bottom Line
Ripe mangoes are already available in the market. Everyone likes delicious and sweet juicy mangoes. However, buyers get confused in the market after observing so many varieties. Therefore, if you have the right idea about which mangoes are available in which season, it would be easier for you to understand the type of mango you are buying. Besides, you can have an idea of prices too. Mangoes as fruit are very disciplined. When the mango is supposed to ripen, it is not available except a week before or after it.
Read Fungus: Health Benefits, Nutritional Values and Precautions
Mouthwatering Healthy Snacks Ideas for Eid in Lockdown
We all are familiar with the afternoon snacks. However, we may forget this habit after fasting for one month and eating heavy Iftar in the evening. But we are going back to regular life from Eid day and will certainly need snacks. If there has been no lockdown, we wouldn’t have to think about making snacks as we could go out to eat sometime. However, it is not possible this 2021 Eid. You may argue that you can get the food delivered, but will that be safe during this COVID pandemic? So, there is no option left except to make healthy snacks at home. Let’s see some mouthwatering healthy snack ideas for this Eid in lockdown.
Pattice
Patties as a snack are very popular in our country. It is readily available at any bakery, but as we have mentioned that it would not be safe to buy from outside due to the coronavirus. If you wish, you can make your own bakery-flavored patties at home.
To make Pattice that can serve up to three to four-person you would need, Flour - 3 cups, Coarse Flour of wheat (Suzy) - 1/2 cup, Salt - like quantity, Orange or lemon juice - 2-3 tablespoons, Baking powder - 1 + 1/2 teaspoon, Water - like quantity, Oil - 1/2 cup half, Dalda / Vegetable / Vegetable Sorting - 1/2 cup half (melted).
Mix all the ingredients together and cover with a damp cloth for 3-4 hours. Beat dalda 1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon oil well and make foam. Next, add 2 loaves of bread, large and thin, and give dalda cream in the middle. Now fold it like paratha and leave it in the fridge for 20-30 minutes.
Take the big loaf out of the fridge and fold it in a circle with dalda in the middle. After 20 to 30 minutes, cut the sand into rounds and cut them into squares. Now keep these sheets in the fridge for 10-20 minutes. Next, Brush with egg yolk on top and bake at 180 degrees for 20-30 minutes.
Read: Delicious Homemade Dessert Ideas for Eid and Other Celebrations
Chatpati
It will be hard to find a single person who doesn’t like Chatpati. However, making Chatpati is easy nowadays with the availability of readymade Chatpati masala. But you will need to make the main ingredient first.
Ingredients Chatpati dal - 2 cups, Ginger + garlic paste - 1/2 teaspoon, Onion paste - 2 tablespoons, Cumin + coriander paste - a little less than 1/2 teaspoon, Cardamom + cinnamon paste - 1/2 teaspoon, Salt, Boiled potatoes - as needed, Oil - 1 tbsp, Bay leaves - 1-2, chopped Onion- 1 piece.
Soak the dal in hot water for 4-5 hours. Then, put oil and onion in a pot oven. Add all the spices except boiled potatoes with dal and boil it. Add some water if needed. You may use a pressure cooker for a quick boil. In the middle, add the slightly mashed boiled potatoes and mix them with the dal. Do not overcook the daal. Take it down while there is water in the dal. Now add the readymade Chatpati masala and chopped onions according to the needs, and it will be ready to serve.
To make the tamarind water, take tamarind and mash in the water; add some rock salt, Chatpati masala, and sugar.
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Noodles Pakora
Although some people may not like to eat it after having oily fried food for the last 30 days. But crispy noodles pakora is getting popular among adults and kids. You may make it healthy by serving with some salad which would increase the nutrition value.
Ingredients you will need, Cocola Noodles 1 packet, Mashed potatoes - half a cup, Flour - 1 cup, Eggs – 2, Pepper powder - a quarter teaspoon, Onion sprouts - 1 cup, Raw pepper - 4 tbsp, Soy sauce - 1/4 teaspoon, Salt - to taste, Oil - for frying.
With these ingredients making noodles pakora is super easy. First, boil the noodles lightly and drain the water. Then take another bowl, mix well with Flour, eggs, black pepper, onion, green pepper, salt, mashed potatoes, and soy sauce, as well as the noodles. Now fry it in the shape of onion in brown oil.
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Chicken Noodles Soup
It can bring variation and change our taste. Soup noodles would be very healthy for all too. If you can add vegetables with that, it will increase the nutrition value. It is something that you can make without any extra effort.
Things you need Butter - 2 tablespoons, Carrots - 1 cup, Onion - half a cup, Cinnamon - 1 piece, Meat - cut into small pieces, Meat stock - 4 cups, Soy sauce - 1 teaspoon, Garlic powder - 1/2 teaspoon, Pepper powder - 1/2 teaspoon, Lemon juice - 1 tbsp, Raw chili powder - 1 tbsp, Boiled egg noodles - one cup, A little salt.
Wash the chicken bones and boil in a little ginger paste, garlic paste, and Salt, 1 bay leaf, and two liters of water. Later, when the water is half dry, take it down and strain it. So, chicken stock is ready. Season your chicken by applying salt and soy sauce for about 20 minutes. Then, heat the butter in a saucepan and fry the meat and carrots along with onion and garlic until it turns red. Now add the chicken stock that was prepared earlier with black pepper powder. When the soup boils, add noodles, stirring frequently. Finally, when it boils with soy sauce and vinegar, remove it.
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Biscuit cake made with eggs
This biscuit cake may not be familiar to today’s generation. But it goes well with tea in the afternoon or guest entertainment. It is mouthwatering and somewhat healthy as the egg is adding with that.
You will need Rice powder - 1.5 cups, Flour - 1/2 (half) cup, Eggs - 2 pieces, Sugar - a little less than 1 cup, Cardamom, cinnamon - 2 pieces, oil - 3 tbsp, and Salt - a little.
Add sugar, cardamom, cinnamon, Salt, and a little water and thicken for a while. After that, make rice dough with rice powder and Flour mixed with cardamom cinnamon. Take it down and mix it well with eggs and Oil. Cut 1/2” thick bread through round steel glasses or cookie cutters. You have to do everything in the same way. Now deep fry in Oil.
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Egg Salad or Fruit Salad
Salad can be made instantly. You can make this delicious healthy food in many ways. Lightly boiled beets or carrots are fried and mixed with sour yogurt, chaat spices, salt and pepper. Egg salad can be made by mixing boiled eggs, cucumber, tomato, lettuce, salt-pepper-lemon juice. It would be nice to eat fried peanuts or boiled gram mixed with eggs. You can make a fruit salad with several kinds of fresh fruit pieces and a little spice.
Read Famous Traditional Sweets and Desserts in Bangladesh
Mini Beef Burgers
Who doesn’t like burgers! It can be an excellent treat for your child too. However, burgers are junk food; you can make it in a healthy way at home. The ingredients you will need for the patty: beef mince 300 g, onion paste 2 tablespoons, ginger-garlic paste 2 teaspoons, lemon juice 2 tablespoons, coriander powder 1 tablespoon, egg 1, kebab spice 2 teaspoons, cumin powder half a teaspoon, 1 tablespoon of raw chili powder, 1 tablespoon of tomato sauce, 1 tablespoon of chili sauce, half a teaspoon of hot spice powder, 3 tablespoons of cooking Oil. For the burgers: 4 burger buns, 4 lettuce leaves, 1 tomato, 1 cucumber, 4 tablespoons of mayonnaise.
Put all the ingredients of the patty together and marinate in the fridge for 2 hours. Then, remove from the fridge, heat the oil in a non-stick pan and make a flat kebab by hand, and put it in the oven. Cover on low heat and fry on both sides till brown. When all the patties are fried, cut the cucumber and tomato into slices. Heat the burger buns lightly in the oven. Now put mayonnaise and lettuce inside the bun. Then garnish with tomato, burger patty, and cucumber slices and serve with a fun beef burger.
Any of these 7 items can be your Eid day snacks in the evening. Furthermore, if you need a detailed step-by-step recipe, you may take the idea from this article and search on YouTube.
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Delicious Homemade Dessert Ideas for Eid and Other Celebrations
Eid-ul-Fitr is one of the major religious festivals of Muslims around the world. Eid comes after a month of fasting in Ramadan, so there is an added joy in everyone. After a month of fasting, Muslims tend to eat something delicious on Eid. On this occasion, a variety of dishes are prepared for the family and guests. The Internet allows us to look into the food and lifestyle of many different nations, therefore the Eid menu has become more diverse in recent years. With that in mind, let's take a look at some scrumptious homemade dessert Ideas for Eid-ul-Fitr and other celebrations.
Tasty dessert items for Eid-ul-Fitr
People in the South Asian region eat a variety of foods that are distinct from those in the West. Lots of sugar used to make dessert items in this part of the world. On the other hand, western desserts are more diverse, but they use less sugar in cooking. The desserts mentioned here are pretty common among the sub-continent people and are served at any festival.
1) Phirni
Phirni is a common dessert for every occasion in the subcontinent. Serving tasty Phirni at the end of the main course has become a tradition. This item has always in high demand because it's easier to make in comparison to other popular desserts in the region. Phirni is made with flour, cardamom, saffron, rose water, pistachios, almonds, and other ingredients. This will be one of the pleasant desserts in Eid 2021 if you can innovate with the old recipe.
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2) Shemai
Shemai is another common dessert in this part of the world. Shemai comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. However, lachcha shemai is a common Eid dessert.These red and white shemai are extremely common among the common people. Butter, vermicelli, milk, whipped cream, raisins, sugar, and almonds are used to make Shemai.
Read Famous Traditional Sweets and Desserts in Bangladesh
3) Rasamalai
Rasamalai is made with sweet milk and sugar-coated cinnamon. The majority of people in the subcontinent are familiar with rasamalai, and almost all enjoy sweets and juices.Rasamalai is available at every sweet shop in this part of the world and now anyone can make rasmalai at home. If you want to enjoy something juicy in Eid dessert, rasmalai can be the most ideal item.
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4) Golapjamun
Golapjamun is one of the best sweets. It is very popular among the general public since it is enjoyable to eat. Because of its pink color it also called rosejam. It is also very beautiful to look at and can be found in any sweet shop. But now many people are learning to make golapjamun at home. So this Eid, golapjamun can be a great sweets item.
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5) Sandesh
Sandesh is a dessert that will appeal to anyone who enjoys sweets. Sandesh is a popular dessert with a variety of flavors available on the market. Sandesh is a milk-based dessert that comes in many different shapes. Now that it can be made at home, sandesh will be at the top of the list of many people's favorite dessert items for this Eid.
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6) Caramel Custard (egg pudding)
Another common dessert is pudding. Since pudding is so delicious to eat, it's common to see it at any social gathering. This could be one of the prime Eid items. Puddings can come in a variety of sizes, and the biggest ingredient is eggs. Besides, milk, sugar, vanilla, caramel, etc. are also needed to make this tasty dessert.
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7) Burfi
Burfi is another traditional dessert. This dessert is usually prepared on the night of Shab-e-Qadr, just a few days before Eid. But, in the midst of other heavy Eid cuisine, such a light dessert can stand out. Burfi comes in a variety of flavors, each with its own distinct flavor.Burfi is made of coconut, almonds, milk, and cream in most cases. It's a fantastic dessert to serve to guests.
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Bottom Line
You can easily cook your favorite dish from above mentioned delicious homemade dessert Ideas for Eid and other celebrations. Eid brings joy to people, enhances social sympathy, and eliminates the disparity between the wealthy and the poor. We must remember that the main objective of fasting is to experience the discomfort of not eating for an extended period of time and to purify oneself.
Therefore, on Eid, efforts should be made to spread happiness with the disadvantaged and miserable people in society, including family and relatives. Besides that, now is the right time to be generous because people are suffering from the effects of the pandemic coronavirus.
Read Iftar Items, Recipes for Ramadan in Bangladesh.
Different forms of Vitamin D: Benefits, sources of Vitamin D1 vs D2 vs D3
Vitamins have been thrown around so commonly in advertisements that it becomes difficult to accurately distinguish this nutrient, its subcategories and the benefits each possess. Vitamin D in particular is one of the most flexible among the lot and flies under the radar more than one might think. Vitamin D has several forms that offer different ranges of benefits. Here is a deeper look at the health benefits and sources of different forms of Vitamin D.
What Is Vitamin D?
Otherwise known as Calciferol, Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is normally commonly consumed in certain foods or when UV rays from the sun makes contact with the skin and begins a sort of synthesis of the nutrient. In order to process this vitamin, hydroxylations are necessary for absorption and conversion. The liver is responsible for converting it into hydroxyvtamin D, known as Calcidiol. The kidney also undergoes through this process and produces dihydroxyvtamin D, also called Calcitriol. Essentially, the gut is the primary source of absorption that allows the nutrient to do a number of things for the body.
Read Vitamin D: Benefits, food sources, recommended amounts, and risks
Different Forms of Vitamin D
Adolf Windaus, a renowned German researcher, discovered 3 different forms of vitamin D, which he referred as Vitamin D1, Vitamin D2, and Vitamin D3.
Vitamin D1 is an assortment of compounds instead of a pure vitamin D product. The other two forms (D2 and D3) are significant for humans.
Vitamin D2 is manmade. This synthetic form of Vitamin D is called ergocalciferol. Vitamin D2 is widely available in fortified foods and plant sources. Vitamin D3 can be consumed through vitamin D supplements like oral tablets, capsules.
On the other hand, Vitamin D3 is known as cholecalciferol. It is mainly the internal form of Vitamin D that human produces. Vitamin D3 is found in the vitamin D supplements of diverse strengths. Vitamin D3 comes from animal sources such as egg yolks, fish oil, fish, liver, etc.
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Health Benefits of Vitamin D2 and D3
Good For The Bones
Working in tandem with calcium, one of Vitamin D’s most prevalent benefits is its role in regulating calcium and phosphorus within the blood. The two are recipes for the maintenance of healthy bones and teeth. Naturally, calcium and Vitamin D are synonymous with each other and a deficiency in the latter can lead to the softening of bones, especially among children. Even with a surplus of calcium, the gut’s ability to process it highly depends on Vitamin D’s involvement.
It Can Fight The Flu
In 2010 and 2018, various studies have shown that Vitamin D has the ability to fight off the flu. As a relatively common illness, this perk alone should be an attractive reason to up the intake of this nutrient. Specifically, the lack of Vitamin D was shown in a 2017 study; demonstrating that the deficit of this nutrient can lead to respiratory infections. By no means can a Vitamin D surplus safeguard the body when one already has the flu, but regularly taking Vitamin D can help reduce the risk significantly.
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Reduces Risk Of Allergies For Children
As their bodies develop, children tend to be more susceptible to allergies, however Vitamin D can reduce these risks considerably. Studies have shown that the deficiency of the nutrient has contributed to tolerance over potential allergic reactions. Foods rich in Vitamin D are ideal staples for babies between four to six months of age as the early years will determine how the body develops immunity. Also, Vitamin D is shown to have anti-inflammatory effects of glucocorticoids which is a booster to asthma immunisation.
It Can Help Strengthen Muscles
Vitamin D doesn’t exactly function as a source of muscle growth like protein does, but it does preserve the health of muscles overall. It means preserving the integrity of muscle fibres and general movement for those who face muscle deterioration such as the elderly. For that demographic, having a good amount of Vitamin D is critical in order to avoid potential fall risks at a senior age. These falls can consequently lead to disabilities due to poor muscle maintenance which is where this nutrient arguably sees its greatest function.
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Best Sources of Vitamin D2 and D3
Sunlight
Sometimes known as the “Sunshine vitamin”, Vitamin D (Specifically, Vitamin D3) has possibly one of the easiest ways to get into the body, that being standing under the sun. Interestingly enough, when the nutrient comes from the sun, it stay in the body for twice as long. It is difficult to find the right amount of exposure to the sun, but can be roughly gauged as long as the skin does not suffer from sunburns or drastic tans. Despite how enticing this sounds, this source should not be a replacement for food sources and serve as a complementary role.
Seafood
If you’re a fan of seafood, getting your fix of Vitamin D3 will be a treat. Seafood like tuna, oysters, sardines, anchovies and mackerel are all rich sources of the nutrient and arguably provide one of the highest count per serving. A can of salmon can provide up to 386 IU of Vitamin D which is already part of the regular daily intake. These seafood options are high in Omega-3 fatty acids, therefore moderation will be key to pile up without taking the drawbacks of excess.
Read 4 Vitamin D-Rich Drinks You Must Add To Your Diet To Avoid Vitamin D Deficiency
Mushrooms
Mushrooms are another treasure trove of Vitamin D2, should you wish to stay far away from seafood. Mushrooms can also create their own Vitamin D when exposed to the UV from sunlight, however their Vitamin D is ergocalciferol. Not as effective as the ones humans produce, but still high in quantity and certainly a valuable source when in need of a fix. Different mushrooms will have varied amounts of Vitamin D per serving, but it is still worth committing to.
Egg Yolk
Classically, egg whites have been the favorite among many fitness buffs for its rich protein count, while egg yolk has been notorious for spiking cholesterol levels. While the concern has validity when egg yolk is consumed in excess, under the healthy amount of intake, it is an excellent source of Vitamin D3. Depending on how the environment that the chickens are raised in, the vitamin count differs between each egg - varying between two to five percent of the recommended daily dose. It may not offer the highest vitamin count, but it is a flexible ingredient that is worth more attention.
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