Stone Flower (Dagad Phool) – 50g

Description

What is Stone Flower?

A type of lichen called Parmotrema perlatum, also referred to as a black stone flower or kalpasi, is used as a spice in India. The species can be found in the temperate regions of both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

It is frequently used in meat dishes, such as nahari (Paaya), Bombay biryani, and stews made with goat meat. However, it is also used in vegetarian meals. It is one of the ingredients in East Indian Bottle Masala, which is used to prepare meat, fish, and vegetables for cooking.

The spice is a key ingredient in all chettinad preparations, such as chettinad chicken, mutton kheema kulambu, chettinad vegetable curry, mushroom curry, pakora kuzhambu, etc. It gives the Maharashtrian speciality “goda masala” its distinctive black colour. Lucknowi bawarchis frequently use it in ‘potli masala’ and it is known as patthar ka phool in Uttar Pradesh.

The spice is a key ingredient in all chettinad preparations, such as chettinad chicken, mutton kheema kulambu, chettinad vegetable curry, mushroom curry, pakora kuzhambu, etc. It gives the Maharashtrian specialty “goda masala” its distinctive black color. It is known as patthar ka phool in Uttar Pradesh and is frequently used in ‘potli masala’ by Lucknow bawarchis.

This spice is widely used in Indian appetizers and sweets. When this spice is tempered in hot oil or ghee for gravies, soups, and curries, a potent earthy aroma is created. It feels and looks like very light, dry paper. It is used to thicken soups in addition to giving them a subtle fragrant flavour.

Health Benefits:

• An antibiotic is derived from stone flower.
• It has analgesic properties.
• It is antiviral in nature.
• It is essential in the management of renal illness, particularly kidney stones.
• It helps to maintain normal body temperature.
• It aids in digestion of food.

Other Names:

Shaileyam in Sanskrit, kalpasi in Tamil, Dagar da Phool in Punjabi, dagad Phool in Marathi, Raathi Pootha (Banda puvvu) in Telugu, “Kallu hoovu” in Kannada, patthar ke Phool in Hindi, and “Bojhwar” and “Chadila” in northern India.