Diversified traditional cured food products of certain indigenous tribes of Tripura, India

Abstract

The diversified traditional cured food products which include fermented, dried and smoked bamboo shoot, wild leaf, vegetable, fruit, alcoholic beverage and fish are processed and prepared by the ethnic groups of Tripura and these are intimately associated to their ecological, socio-cultural, spiritual life and health. These cured foods are consumed as a regular food item in different recipes and culinary style over a long period of time by the original inhabitants of this state. From the socio-cultural point of view, although these are nutritious, moreover, there are popular beliefs on the use of such traditional food products regarding their curing effect of number of seasonal and chronic health problems. The paper describes the various traditional cured foods of certain tribes of Tripura, their method of preparation, uses, nutritional and medicinal values as they play a vital role in the traditional life style of the people of Tripura.