Kalpasi, also known as black stone flower, is essentially dried lichen. Kalpasi in one of the key ingredients in Chettinad cuisine. It's not just in India, lichens are used across the world. I was at ...

Make your food delicious with the spices that can undoubtedly do magic with the food. India is known for its local spices that make the food extraordinary, and every region has its spices. One such ...

"Even just a few spices or ethnic condiments that you can keep in your pantry can turn your mundane dishes into culinary masterpiece." - Marcus Samuelsson, world renowned chef If good food is one of ...

Enhancer: Lichen or kalpasi adds that elusive edge to spice mixes The first time I heard about the mystery spice must have been about 10 years ago. I had just started writing about food when a young ...

Also known as Black stone Flower, Kalpasi and Dagad Phool, Parmotrema perlatum as the lichen is scientifically known is often used a mystery ingredient in Biryanis, Nalli Nihari and several other ...

Heady, aromatic, hot and nourishing: In these difficult times, we need foods that both stimulate and satisfy. Curry has been Tokyo’s go-to comfort food this COVID-19 summer, so the timing was perfect ...

For a person whose kitchen is merely the place where crockery and cutlery is kept and washed after use, I certainly have more food books (not recipe books) than most people I know. That’s because I’m ...