Friday, April 18, 2008

Eeyam and Velleeyam

I wanted to clarify something. People often think the vessels which are called Eeyam, in which you typically make Rasam contains lead or is lead Actually, the vessels which are called Eeyam are actually Velleeyam which is an alloy of Tin and Aluminum. There is no lead in that, Although Eeyam means lead.
Velleeyam is an alloy made of Tin and Aluminium.

On one of my trips to India, I went shopping for this vessel in Madurai and went directly to the person who makes it (his house). He was the one who gave me this information. So please do not worry about lead poisoning and go ahead and enjoy the Rasam made in this vessel.
I have to tell you this:
Once I had made Rasam in my eeyam vessel for lunch. In the evening we had an unexpected guest. Since my eeyam vessel was too small, I transferred the leftover rasam in to a bigger non-stick pot and made more rasam by "repairing" it.
Our Guest, took one sip of this rasam and asked "Was this Rasam made in a Eeyam Vessel?"!!! :)



I have an assortment of Eeyam vessels now which I guard ever so preciously!!



"Repairing" is the process of adding more water and Rasam Powder and Salt to the leftover rasam to multiply it to serve more people!

9 comments:

Uma said...

nice info. thanks.

Miri said...

The term used in our home (my maternal home) which has now also filtered into my home after marriage is "RC" - short for "Reconstitution"

It started with my Dad asking Mom " Is this rasam Rced?" LOL!

Thanks for the info on eeyam vessels - have only heard of the taste it imparts to food. Is there also some foods to avoid keeping in these vessels since aluminum is known to react with certain kinds of foods?

Miri

jayasree said...

Your post made good read. Taste of rasam prepared in 'eeyachombu' is unbeatable.I always prepare in that unless and until the quantity required is more.

Sagari said...

nice post

Vandana said...

Thanks, Uma, Miri, Sagari,Jaysaree!
Miri, Rced is also a great word for that! To answer your question, my mom would make rasam in it and when ever she makes mor kuzhambu, she would pour it in to the vessel after making it. Also She would store freshly made pickles for the day. I will find out more about what things you can and cannot store and get back to you.
Vandana

Suganya said...

I know what you mean by repairing rasam. Pair it with sutta appalam. Who knew left-overs can be this tasty.

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Anonymous said...

Hello Vandana
Stumbled upon your blog as I searched for eeyam and lead poisoning. I am 34 weeks pregnant and have been happily making rasam all these days when it struck me today. Are you sure it isn't harmful?

Vandana said...

Hi Desi girl,
I am absolutely sure. I am sure our forefathers knew better than us. Thre is nothing harmful and I remeber my thatha who had had rasam everdday (made in a eeya chombu)lived till 81, very healthy and worked till his last day on earth! I also found this forum online about this very same issue,


http://www.anothersubcontinent.com/forums/lofiversion/index.php?t7356.html

Vandana