World Idli Day is celebrated on March 30 every year. This day was first celebrated in 2015 through Chennai Idli Caterer Anniavan. Anniavan made 1,328 idlis to celebrate this day, and on 30 March 2015, an official uniquely cut the cake to celebrate this day as World Idli Day.
The delicious South Indian staple that can be served in any meal has become a staple for the entire country and the reason is its simple recipe and many health benefits.
According to food historians, idli first originated in Indonesia, which is known for its long tradition of fermented food. Later, it came to India in the form of steamed idli during the period of 800-1200 CE. Some theories believe that the word was derived from ‘Iddalige’, and was mentioned in a Kannada work of 920 AD, and it indicates that it was made from an urad dal batter.
Also, the Sanskrit Manasollasa of 1130 AD has ‘Iddarika’, which mentioned a dish made with urad dal. And Tamil people first mentioned it as ‘Itali’ in the 17th century. All these references make it clear that since the very beginning idli had the use of rice grits, urad dal, a long fermentation process, and the steaming of the batter to tasty fluffiness.
On the occasion of World Idli Day 2021, here are amazing health benefits of the food you must know:
Easy to digest:
Some foods burden your digestive system whereas some get easily digested. Idli-sambar is a dish that can easily be absorbed by your body. Also, some foods don’t make you feel lazy or sleepy after consuming and this dish is one of them.
Rich in vitamins and minerals:
One idli contains 1 milligram of iron, and trace amounts of calcium, folate, potassium, and vitamin A. The iron is mostly from the black lentils, with about 25 percent of it from the rice. Iron keeps your blood oxygenated and is crucial for any diet. Men need 8 milligrams daily and women 18 milligrams.
Helps in weight-loss:
Idli is a fibrous food and it also consists of protein. Such food is healthy for people suffering from obesity as craving for food becomes low.
Provides fibre:
Many different vegetables are added to make the sambar tasty. This is the best way to get some fibre content into your body. As fibre promotes better digestion, your digestive system would thank you for the meal.
No oil food:
Idlis are steamed foods and sambar is like a soup. So, you don’t need to worry about fat or oil content that might trouble your cardiovascular system later.
