Kalakhar

Description

KOLA KHAR – A Traditional Herbal Soda of Assam

KOLAKHAR is a popular ethnic herbal edible soda prepared ubiquitously and used extensively by the people of Assam. It is a traditional food additive derived from Banana Plants and popular amongst the different communities in Assam.

KolaKhar is used by people since time immemorial. This antacid is made by filtering water through the ashes of a banana tree (the name derived from the local term of Banana, “kol” or “kola”). It can be made from banana stem, rhizome and peel. Amongst the available varieties of banana in North East region, khar made from Musa balbisiana Colla (a wild variety heavily seeded banana tree) has the best quality.

Health Benefits of Kolakhar

• Khar is used as food additive in Assamese cuisine widely. Various vegetables are cooked using khar which marks the first dish of an Assamese thali.
• Along with its routine use as food additive in cooking, it has been used to treat various ailments. It is used to normalize digestive disorders of stomach and to prevent bacterial attacks on freshly cut injury to heal fast.
• Use of kolakhar as soaps and detergent for washing clothes and shampooing hair has been practiced in villages.