Ayurvedic medicine is 3000 years old. The Sri Lankan cuisine is one of the most famous Ayurvedic cuisines in the World. Ayurveda in Sri Lanka is wide-spread and well-known for its healing powers. It is holistic, rich in healing spices and ingredients and it is based on the 2000 year old study of Ayurveda. Ayurveda is one of the oldest science of cooking and it has influenced not only Indian and Sri Lankan cuisines, but also had a big influence on the rest of the World. Ayurveda was the first raw cuisine. In Ayurveda, you have to determine your body type (dosha) and once you know whether you are Vata (Space and Air), Pitta (Fire and Water) or Kaptha (Earth and Water), you can find the diet that is most suited for your body.
Read about an Mahagedara Ayurveda Retreat in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lankan Food is my favorite Asian cuisine now. Most of the dishes are cooked in coconut oil and they mix desiccated coconut in most of the dishes. They also use pineapple that makes the dishes slightly sweet. Most of the dishes are made of local vegetables and fruits, therefore it is a paradise for vegetarians and vegans. Most dishes are gluten-free as they prefer millet and other healthy grains over wheat.
Ayurveda in Sri Lanka – Spices
Sri Lankan Dishes – Ayurvedic Medicine
1. Coconut Roti – Coconut Roti is a substitute for bread in Sri Lanka. It is gluten and sugar free. It has only 4 ingredients, coconut, millet flour, salt and water. I loved chewing on these breads and taste the chunks of coconuts inside.
Coconut Roti, Ayurveda in Sri Lanka
2. Pol Sambol – Coconut Relish – Freshly shredded desiccated coconut mixed with chilly, red onions, lemon juice and salt. It is eaten as a garnish with most Sri Lankan dishes. It gives a spicy kick to any food.
Pol Sambol in the Making
3. Curry (Beetroot, Pineapple, Seafood, Jackfruit) – In Sri Lanka you can find absolutely every type of curry you can imagine. They make curry dishes out of many different kind of vegetables and fruits. Beetroot and pineapple curries are very popular. A variety of seafood curries are also often prepared in Sri Lanka. These curries are rich in healing spices and ingredients such as curry, turmeric, garlic and chilies.
Pineapple and Fish Curry, Ayurveda in Sri Lanka
4. Kiri Bath (Coconut Milk Rice) with Katta Sambol and Banana – This dish was prepared for us during a cooking demonstration at the Jetwing St-Andrews Hotel in Nuwara Eliya. The chef cooked the rice with coconut milk and served the dish with Katta Sambal which is fried onions mixed with chilies, fish, sea salt and pepper and lime juice. The chef served this to us with a banana on the side. It was a wonderful dish that mixing sweet and spicy flavors in one. The dish is gluten free.
Kiri Bath with Katta Sambol, Ayurveda in Sri Lanka
5. Hoppers – Sri Lankan version of pancakes prepared with fermented rice flour, coconut milk, coconut water and a bit of sugar. They use a special hopper pan to make this bowl shaped beautiful pancake. It is crispy and delicious. They are often served with a fried egg inside the pancake for breakfast. Hoppers are gluten-free. Vegans can order them without the eggs.
Egg Hoppers in Sri Lanka
For Desserts
6. Colorful Desserts – Sri Lanka offers lots of colorful desserts such as aluwa, mung kavum, pol toffee, kokis, butter cake. Many of them are made out of rice or coconut. They are sweet and colorful, mostly coconut, rice and fruit based.
Colorful Dessets of Sri Lanka
7. Buffalo Curd with Honey in a coconut shell is a healthy dessert option. The buffalo curd is organic and full of beneficial bacteria that helps the immune system. The art of lactic fermentation was an Ayurvedic invention to the culinary world. In ayurveda, yoghurt is used to treat a huge array of illnesses, from constipation to ulcers and even hangovers. Local honey is also very beneficial for the health.
Buffalo Curd with Honey in a Coconut Shell, Ayurveda in Sri Lanka Dishes
8. Fresh Fruits – Sri Lanka offers a wide variety of colorful, ripe fruits. The bananas and pineapple are particularly sweet.
Fruits of Sri Lanka
Drink
9. In Sri Lanka, most bars offer a long list of fancy cocktails. One of the most authentic cocktails is the Tea Mojito
Alcohol is never a healthy option, but Tea Mojito is a refreshing drink that contains Ceylon tea, rum, brown sugar, mint leaves, soda water and lime. It is very refreshing drink on a hot afternoon.
Tea Mojito
Sri Lanka is a must for all food lovers. You will have an endless option of curries to try and you will be amazed by the selection of new flavors you will experience in this beautiful country. The dishes are healthy, filled with healing herbs and spices and savory and sweet flavors are mixed together to create an unforgettable experience for your taste buds.
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Ayurvedic Medicine
Disclosure: I participated in the above trip free of charge for the purpose of this article and the article reflects my unbiased opinion about the country.
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About Barbara
Barbara is a London based luxury travel and lifestyle blogger. She started traveling through Paris, London, New York, Milan, Tokyo at the age of 17 to conquer the World as a model. Ever since, she has visited 67 countries. She writes about the most exclusive jet-set destinations such as Cannes, Venice Film Festivals, Monaco Grand Prix, Oscar Parties in LA, Fashion Weeks in Milan or Paris as well as yacht parties in St-Tropez, Miami Art Basel, Biennale in Venice, Frieze in London or the Royal Wedding in Monaco.
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