11 Things You Will Find In Every Malayali Household
Discover unique treasures, traditions, and flavors that define a typical Kerala home vibe.
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If you grew up in a Malayali household, then your home is probably flooded with different items related to your culture. Whether you live in India or were raised abroad, there are certain items you will find in every Malayali home that you visit. The truth is that Malayali people have settled all around the world and have taken their distinctive and unique culture wherever they have gone. Even if you are a millennial or Gen-Z Malayali, we bet that you at least know the name of some of the items we’ve mentioned in this article! So without further ado, here is a list of eleven things that you will definitely find in a Malayali home:
1. Plenty Of Coconuts
No dish is truly complete without a good dose of coconut. Malayali people tend to put coconut in everything they make, and we have to say that it elevates their cuisine to another level. Besides cooking some incredible dishes with coconut, many Malayali women swear by coconut oil, and judging by their incredibly thick hair, it definitely does the job!
2. Banana Chips
Banana chips from Kerala are famous not just in India but also in every place where Malayali folk have settled. So you know that if you make a trip down to your grandparents’ home, you’ll come back with suitcases full of banana chips to distribute amongst your friends. Plus, they’re so addictive that you cannot just eat one and walk away.
3. Cherava
Since most Malayalis are such huge fans of coconuts, one of the most classic instruments you will find in a Malayali kitchen is a cherava. This coconut scraping instrument makes life a lot easier for those of us who enjoy breaking our own coconuts rather than buying them pre-grated from the market.
4. Ammi Kallu
An ammi kallu is a traditional stone tool that is used in India to grind various spices and ingredients. It is flat and made of stone, and shaped like a rectangle. It comes with a cylinder stone pestle and is quite different from a traditional pestle and mortar. When it comes to an ammi kallu, the spices are put on top of the tool and ground into a thick paste versus a mortar and pestle that require you to pound the spices.
5. These Chappals
No matter which Malayali household you go to, you will find these typical white and blue chappals. These chappals are used for everything from wading through the flooded streets during the monsoons to disciplining your kids (Indian moms, amirite?).
6. Thortus
Thortus are special towels that are both soft, eco-friendly, and super low maintenance. These towels not only get you dry, but they also help scrape off any remaining dead skin cells and dirt that might be on your body. Plus, they dry up super quickly compared to thicker towels.
7. Cane Furniture
Cane furniture is another beautiful thing you will find in every Malayali household. It looks super aesthetic, affordable, and won’t feel too bad if your dog or cat chews on it. Plus, they work in any setting, from your garden to your bedroom and your living room.
8. Puttu Kudam
Malayali folks sure do love their puttus. This yummy dish is a favorite in every Malayali household, so it’s no surprise that plenty of cooking ware manufacturers have started making products to help make preparing them much more manageable. You can probably find a puttu kudam at any popular cooking ware website you check out.
9. Onam Saree
This classic cream and golden saree is a favorite among young Malayali women, and for a good reason. Not only does the saree look elegant and graceful, but it is also a lot lighter and of thinner material than other types of sarees. Hence, these sarees are perfect for the hot Kerala summers!
10. Lots And Lots Of Gold
No Malayali household is complete without a “little bit” of gold. It doesn’t matter how wealthy or poor a Malayali family is, but you will undoubtedly find a good stock of gold in their homes. Plus, every home will have its own unique and exquisite sets of jewelry, and we have to say that the rest of us are highly envious!
11. Kashayam
This miracle herbal concoction goes by many names, but Kerala is referred to as kashayam. It’s used to cure everything from colds to indigestion and other conditions. If you have a Malayali grandmother, then we guarantee that she made you drink some (often against your will), and you were fit as a fiddle a few hours after drinking it.
No matter where you come from in Kerala, you know that there are certain things that are common across district lines. So do tell us which of these things you’ve encountered in a Malayali home in the comment section below!
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