Top 6 Must-Have Indian Traditional Cookware for a Timeless Kitchen

Incorporating traditional cookware into your kitchen is more than just a nod to heritage-it's an investment in healthier, more flavourful cooking. These utensils, passed down through generations, offer distinct advantages in terms of durability, nutritional benefits, and taste enhancement. Here’s a list of five must-have traditional cookware items that will transform your daily cooking routine.

1) Pure Iron Dosa Tawa

A pure iron dosa tawa is a versatile piece of cookware that is ideal for making a variety of flatbreads such as dosas, rotis, and parathas. The natural heat retention properties of iron ensure even cooking, which results in crispy dosas and perfectly roasted rotis. Cooking on an iron tawa also enriches the food with trace amounts of iron, which is beneficial for health, particularly in combating iron deficiency. With a little seasoning and care, an iron tawa will last for years, improving in performance over time.

2) Soapstone Cookware

Soapstone cookware, known for its ability to maintain a steady temperature, is perfect for slow-cooking gravies and curries. Its porous nature helps retain the earthy flavours of the ingredients, creating a rich, complex taste in every dish. Soapstone is also a natural, non-reactive material that preserves the nutritional value of the food, making it ideal for health-conscious cooking. Whether you’re preparing a traditional sambar or a coconut milk-based curry, soapstone cookware is an excellent choice for flavourful, wholesome meals.

3) Brass Handi

A brass handi is a quintessential part of traditional Indian kitchens, particularly known for its use in cooking curries, gravies, and biryanis. Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc, both of which have health benefits. Cooking in brass helps retain the nutrients of the ingredients while imparting a subtle, unique flavour to the food. Its excellent heat conductivity makes it perfect for slow-cooking aromatic, spice-rich dishes like biryani. The handi’s shape also allows for optimal heat distribution, ensuring evenly cooked meals with enhanced taste.

4) Cast Iron Kadai

The cast iron kadai is a workhorse in the kitchen, especially for those who enjoy stir-fried vegetables, crispy aloo fry, and deep-fried snacks. Cast iron is renowned for its heat retention and distribution, allowing for consistent cooking without hot spots. This kadai is not only excellent for frying but also for increasing the iron content in your food, making it an ideal choice for health-conscious cooks. With its robust build, a well-maintained cast iron kadai can last generations, becoming a cherished family heirloom.

5) Brass Patila (Vaana)

The brass patila cooking pot, or vaana, is a highly versatile piece of cookware that can be used for a variety of cooking tasks. Whether you’re boiling, simmering, or preparing complex dishes, this pot’s shape and material make it indispensable in the kitchen. The alloy of brass ensures efficient heat distribution, allowing for even cooking while retaining the nutrition of the ingredients. Its timeless design not only makes it a functional tool but also an elegant addition to your kitchen. 

6) Eeya Chombu (Tin Vessel)

This traditional cookware is for people who love rasam. Eeya Chombu, a traditional tin vessel, is a prized cookware in South Indian kitchens, for making tasty rasam. Known for enhancing the flavor and taste, this unique vessel preserves the authentic essence of the ingredients, offering a rich, traditional dining experience. Eeya chombu by Zishta is made of pure Tin which is a metal by itself and not an alloy. Read the frequently asked questions about tin vessel-eeya chombu to know more.

By investing in these traditional kitchen utensils, you are embracing sustainable, health-focused cooking methods while also preserving a rich culinary heritage. These tools, once seasoned and maintained, will continue to reward you with rich, nutritious meals for years to come.

Explore varieties of handcrafted traditional cookware at Zishta!