Red ant chutney, what is this miracle medicine

Do you know what are the favorite 'snacks' of people in Mayur Panch, Kansar and Sundargarh districts of Odisha?

Red ant

Just samosas and ant chutney

It was introduced by the tribal people of Odisha's Similibal forest region.

In the Mayur Panch district of Odisha, it is called 'Red Ant Chutney or Kai Chutney'.  Namur is like coconut chutney.  To make this chutney, red colored sewing ants are used.  In the inner forests of Similibal, these are found in abundance.  The Red Stitch lives in many nests in mango, jackfruit and papaya trees

Each nest of ants is made of leaves sewn together using threads produced by their larvae.  Also, it can withstand strong winds.  This chutney is also a popular dish in the eastern states of India, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand.

 

Red ant

These red colored ants are collected by the tribal people early in the morning.  Collecting these ants is not easy.  The reason is that when the male ants of these ants take the nests, they come out en masse and bite and gnaw.  The bite of these ants is said to be extremely painful.

Red ants are collected directly from the nests into buckets of water, then washed and dried for use.

To prepare ant chutney, ants and their eggs are first dried. Then, garlic, ginger, coriander leaves, cardamom, tamarind, salt and a little sugar are ground and seasoned.

Stored in a glass bottle and used for six months to a year. In some regions, it is also prepared lightly fried in oil for flavor.

 

What are the benefits of eating red ants

Red ant chutney is used not only as a delicacy but also for medicinal purposes. This chutney is used as a remedy for jaundice, cold, joint pain, cough and poor eyesight.

For skin problems like gout and ringworm, these ants are soaked in oil to make an oil.

It is rich in proteins, calcium, zinc, vitamin B12, iron, magnesium, potassium, sodium, copper, fiber and 18 amino acids, which help boost immunity and prevent diseases.

Agricultural scientists of the region are trying to geocode ant chutney for its taste and medicinal properties.

During the winter season, red tailor ants, tied to an ebony tree leaf, are sold at the Mayur Panch local market for Rs 10 to 20 a piece.