Taxonomic Analysis- South Indian Diet
- Das K
- Nov 9
- 3 min read
A taxonomic view
Analysis of Daily Food Items in South India
Families that predominate South Indian diet.
Fabaceae: All Dals, Tamarind, Fenugreek, Groundnut, Cluster Beans.
Poaceae: Rice, Ragi, Jowar, Bajra, Jaggery (Sugarcane).
Solanaceae: Brinjal, Tomato, Potato, Chillies.
Cucurbitaceae: Snake Gourd, Bitter Gourd, Ivy Gourd, Ash Gourd, Pumpkin.
Apiaceae: Coriander, Cumin, Asafoetida.
Zingiberaceae: Turmeric, Ginger, Cardamom.
Arecaceae: Coconut, Palm Jaggery.
Amaryllidaceae: Onion, Garlic.
Musaceae: Banana varieties, Plantain.
Brassicaceae: Mustard Seeds, Mustard Oil, Cabbage, Cauliflower.
Moraceae: Jackfruit, Breadfruit.
Malvaceae: Okra.
Given below is a List of Plants by the Common Names, Scientific names and Family to which it belongs
Staples
(The Primary Source of Carbohydrates)
Rice - Oryza sativa - Poaceae
Finger Millet (Ragi) - Eleusine coracana - Poaceae
Sorghum (Jowar) - Sorghum bicolor - Poaceae
Pearl Millet (Bajra) - Pennisetum glaucum - Poaceae
Tapioca (Kappa) - Manihot esculenta - Euphorbiaceae
Pulses and Legumes
(Source of Protein)
Pigeon Pea (Toor Dal) - Cajanus cajan - Family Fabaceae
Chickpea (Chana Dal) - Cicer arietinum - Fabaceae
Black Gram (Urad Dal) - Vigna mungo - Fabaceae
Mung Bean (Moong Dal) - Vigna radiata - Fabaceae
Horse Gram (Kollu) - Macrotyloma uniflorum - Fabaceae
Cowpea (Karamani) - Vigna unguiculata - Fabaceae
Bengal Gram (Kadalai Paruppu) - Cicer arietinum - Fabaceae
Black Eyed Pea (Lobia) (Vigna unguiculata) - Family: Fabaceae
Kidney Beans (Rajma) (Phaseolus vulgaris) - Family: Fabaceae
Hyacinth Bean (Avarekalu) (Lablab purpureus) - Family: Fabaceae
Horse Gram (Kulith) (Macrotyloma uniflorum) - Family: Fabaceae
Common Vegetables
(Source of Wholesome nutrition- Fiber, Carbs and Bioactive compounds)
Okra (Vendakkai) - Abelmoschus esculentus - Malvaceae
Brinjal / Eggplant (Kathrikkai) - Solanum melongena - Solanaceae
Drumstick (Murungakkai) - Moringa oleifera - Moringaceae
Plantain (Raw Banana, Vazhakkai) - Musa × paradisiaca - Musaceae
Yam (Senai Kizhangu) - Dioscorea alata - Family: Dioscoreaceae
Yam (Elephant Foot Yam) (Amorphophallus paeoniifolius) - Family: Araceae
Taro (Colocasia,Arbi, Seppankizhangu) - Colocasia esculenta - Araceae
Snake Gourd (Pudalangai) - Trichosanthes cucumerina - Cucurbitaceae
Bitter Gourd (Pavakkai) - Momordica charantia - Cucurbitaceae
Tomato (Thakkali) - Solanum lycopersicum - Solanaceae
Onion (Vengayam) - Allium cepa - Amaryllidaceae
Ivy Gourd (Kovakkai) - Coccinia grandis - Cucurbitaceae
Cluster Beans (Kothavarangai) - Cyamopsis tetragonoloba - Fabaceae
Ash Gourd (White Pumpkin, Poosanikai) - Benincasa hispida - Cucurbitaceae
Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) - Family: Cucurbitaceae
Potato (Solanum tuberosum) - Family: Solanaceae
Onion (Allium cepa) - Family: Amaryllidaceae
Garlic (Allium sativum) - Family: Amaryllidaceae
Essential Spices and Seasonings
Source of Bioactive Healing Phytochemicals
Mustard Seeds (Kadugu) - Brassica nigra - Brassicaceae
Cumin Seeds (Jeerakam) - Cuminum cyminum - Apiaceae
Fenugreek Seeds (Vendayam) - Trigonella foenum-graecum - Fabaceae
Coriander Seeds (Kothamalli) - Coriandrum sativum - Apiaceae
Black Pepper (Milagu) - Piper nigrum - Piperaceae
Dried Red Chillies (Molaga) - Capsicum annuum - Solanaceae
Asafoetida (Hing, Perungayam) - Ferula assa-foetida - Apiaceae
Turmeric (Manjal) - Curcuma longa - Zingiberaceae
Curry Leaves (Kariveppilai) - Murraya koenigii - Rutaceae
Tamarind (Puli) - Tamarindus indica - Fabaceae
Green Cardamom (Elakkai) - Elettaria cardamomum - Zingiberaceae
Betel Leaf (Vetrilai/Pan) (Piper betle) - Family: Piperaceae
Cooking Fats & Oils
Source of Fats
Coconut Oil - Cocos nucifera - Arecaceae
Gingelly Oil (Sesame Oil) - Sesamum indicum - Pedaliaceae
Sunflower Oil - Helianthus annuus - Asteraceae
Groundnut Oil - Arachis hypogaea - Fabaceae
Ghee - Bos taurus - Bovidae (Animal)
Mustard Oil - Brassica spp. - Brassicaceae
Dairy & Non-Dairy
Source of Animal Protein and Fats
Milk (Paal) - Bos taurus - Bovidae (Animal)
Yogurt (Thayir) - Bos taurus - Bovidae (Animal)
Buttermilk (Moru) - Bos taurus - Bovidae (Animal)
Beverages and Sweeteners
Source of Excess Sugars and few Bioactive Phytochemicals
Coffee (Kaapi) - Coffea arabica - Rubiaceae
Sugar and Jaggery (Vellam) - Saccharum officinarum - Poaceae
Palm Jaggery (Karupatti) - Borassus flabellifer - Arecaceae
Common Fruits
Source of Balanced Sugars, Minerals and Essential Phytochemicals
Coconut (Thengai) - Cocos nucifera - Arecaceae
Mango (Maamidi) - Mangifera indica - Anacardiaceae
Banana (Vazhaipazham) - Musa sp. - Musaceae
Jackfruit (Palaa) - Artocarpus heterophyllus - Moraceae
Breadfruit (Kadachakka) - Artocarpus altilis - Moraceae
Sapodilla (Chikoo) - Manilkara zapota - Sapotaceae
Guava (Koiya) - Psidium guajava - Myrtaceae
Papaya (Pappali) - Carica papaya - Caricaceae
Lemon & Sweet Lime (Citrus limon, C. aurantifolia) - Family: Rutaceae
Oranges (Citrus aurantium) - Family: Rutaceae
Herbs & Aromatics
Ginger (Inji) - Zingiber officinale - Zingiberaceae
Garlic (Poondu) - Allium sativum - Amaryllidaceae
Coriander Leaves (Kothamalli) - Coriandrum sativum - Apiaceae
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