Special Meetha Paan!

Paan is an ethnic North Indian chew; usually consumed at the end of meals because it helps in digestion and also acts as a mouth freshener. Paan is available in nearly every street corner in India, but more so in Chennai because of the huge north Indian population here consisting of Kutchi Memons, Marwaris, Jains, Bohras etc. Paan is also served during important functions like weddings, receptions and other ceremonies. The history of Paan can’t be traced but I read somewhere that it was popularized by King Shahjehan’s (of Taj Mahal fame) mother; Queen Noorjehan.
Paan is generally of two types; Sadha (Ordinary)and Meetha. (Sweet) The person at the Paan shop generally asks the customer what he would like in the paan. Tastes differ from person to person; but generally its betel leaf that’s washed and dried and then inside there is masala; spices like cardamom, saffron, anise and katha, small fruits, coconut, lime paste and small candy. Sometimes, the paan is wrapped inside delicate silver leaf.
The Sadha version will have betel nuts and tobacco as well. Keep in mind; both betel nuts and tobacco are carcinogens. I generally prefer the Meetha paan. Paan is nearly always made for immediate consumption, but sometimes, like the paan in the picture, it can be frozen.
If you are in Chennai sometime and want to try out a Paan, I would recommend you go to the paan place Hotel Blue Diamond or the one on Nungambakam High Road after the haddows road turning. If you can’t find it, you can always call me and I’ll be happy to buy you a paan! Do you get paan in your city? I would like to know.

Fruitshop on Greams Road

The Fruitshop on Greams Road is something that most of us people from Chennai are in love with. A juice shop that sells only fresh, unadulterated juices and also has a drive in facility is certainly a unique concept, at least in India. The prices are a tad bit over the top, but it’s defiantly worth it because the quality is assured. I generally have a pineapple juice without ice for my dinner! I also like the Jughead Special, which is an ice-cream based drink and the Sheik Shake which is a date milkshake. The Fruit Shop on Greams Road gets its name from its first branch that was located on Greams Road, but now they have plenty of branches; Greams Road, Harleys Road Kilpauk, Besant Nagar, Spencer Plaza, Nungambakam, Meenambakam and East Cost Road are the ones that I am aware of and have visited. But the one I frequent is the one on Harleys Road mainly because the location is convenient and the service is extraordinary. Hats off to the boys there. Another added advantage is the fact that my hairdresser is on the floor above it and I like to have a nice head massage along with a Lemon Mint Cooler, generally referred to as the LMC! I hear they are opening a branch in Dubai sometime this month, maybe Chuckeroon or DBluey from the Dubai Daily Photo could get us a picture of the Fruit Shop on Greams Road in Dubai?

Taking a break!

We have local state election around the corner so I went in earlier today to get my Voter ID card done. In India, normaly the goverment uses schools and colleges for things like elections, drafts, issuing for other documents , ration cards , fund and relief distribution etc.THese girls are taking a break from class while Election Commision officials are distributing the cards inside thier classrooms. A nice Juice from this stall, though I'm not certain how hygynic it will be, would cost about 5 rupees i.e about 10 US cents. The lady has it all in that cart, syrups, ice, water , sugar and all the other stuff she needs to make and sell good juice!