Organic food culture, spreading fast :

New Delhi, Dec 13 : A silent revolution is underway bringing natural, organic food back to Indian kitchens.

Spurred by the growing health consciousness and a parallel slow food movement which is making waves in the west, Indian housewives too are fast adopting organically grown pulses, spices, health drinks, squashes et all.

Also fast emerging are alternative lifestyle stores, healthy living shops and organic food cafes, which are all doing their bit to popularise this food culture in big cities and metros.

Defined as food grown without the use of chemical treatment, organic food is slightly costlier. But then its benefits are enormous. It is slow, natural food, as opposed to fast food, which today has been proved to be the cause of various lifestyle disorders, says Dr Vandana Shiva, the founder of organic food movement in India.

Till now, only organic pulses, spices, wheat and rice were popular and that too among a select health conscious group. But now, we are trying to take it to the masses by developing recipes, booklets and other educational material, says Shiva.

"The sale of organic products has increased tremendously in the last few years. People are becoming aware of organic food and its benefits," says Poonam Malhotra of Full Circle, a book cafe and organic food shop. PTI

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