The most popular delicious food among the people of the hilly areas of the Chittagong Hill Tracts or other communities is the name of a woody evergreen plant "Bamboo". The small young parts that come out of the root are called "Bamboo shoots", which is a name familiar to the people of the hilly region.
Bamboo grows naturally in the deep forests of the mountains and in someone's own garden on the slopes of the mountains without any care. These naturally grown bamboos turn into full bamboo after three years and are suitable for cutting and use.
Usually, bamboo is used to make baskets, fishing poles, poultry cages, children's swings, fences, mats, kula, dala, hand fans, paper, and even houses.
Before these bamboos collected in the depths of the forest or from one's own garden become The hill people collect the young parts of the bamboo plant and bring them to the local market every day to sell.
During this rainy season, "Bamboo Koral" is the most popular vegetable in various markets in the hilly areas. Known as the main vegetable among the various vegetables sold by the vendors, "Bamboo Koral" is kept as a favorite vegetable in the list of vegetables of the hill people.
In this hilly township, Bamboo Koral is known by different names or languages. In Tripura language, it is "Mewa". In Marma language, it is "Mahi". In Chakma language, it is "Bachchuri" and among other communities, it is well known as "Bamboo Koral".
Not all bamboo korals are edible. Among those that can be eaten, the most popular is the Muli bamboo koral. There are - Dolu bamboo, Mitingya bamboo, Farua bamboo, Bajje bamboo, and Kalichuri variety of "Bamboo Koral". These species of bamboo Korol is quite delicious to eat. It is sold in the local hill market for 60 to 100 taka per kg.
These bamboo korols are found in the markets of various upazilas of the district, including Khagrachari. Hill vendors from far and wide collect them and bring them to the market. This bamboo korol is a popular food among the hill people as well as the Bengalis.
Currently, this vegetable has also gained popularity in local hotels and restaurants after meeting family needs. "Bamboo korol" is also one of the attractions for tourists visiting various tourist attractions in Khagrachari.
The full season of this vegetable is from May to October. Several species of bamboo korols including Muli bamboo, Dolu bamboo, Mitingya bamboo, Farua bamboo, Bajje bamboo, Kalichuri bamboo are available in the local markets. Some poor people in remote areas earn a living by selling this bamboo korol. When the soil softens in the rain water at the beginning of the monsoon, it It starts growing. When it grows 4-5 inches from the ground, it is suitable for eating. Along with the difference in the variety, the taste of bamboo koral also varies.
Kalpana Tripura, who comes to the market to sell, told Daily country today that she has to wake up every morning and go deep into the forest to find and collect "bamboo koral". She cleans them and makes them suitable for sale, brings them to the market in the afternoon and sells bamboo koral for sometimes four hundred, sometimes five-six hundred taka. With that money, she buys necessary products for the family. She said that the family runs on the income from selling bamboo koral.
Sumana Chakma, a buyer who comes to buy "bamboo koral", told Daily country today that when I first go to the market, I look for this vegetable that I like. It is quite a delicious food. Bamboo koral in particular can be cooked in various ways. Among them, cooking it with pulses, cooking it with meat or frying it is different. Many of them buy bamboo koral and boil it. They store it in the fridge and eat it.
Fresh bamboo shoots contain 88-93% water, 0.78-5.86% sugar, 1.5-4% protein, 0.25-0.95% fat, 0.60-1.34% cellulose, 1.1% minerals and A sufficient amount of vitamins, along with many benefits. For example: - Reduces the risk of heart disease, reduces the body's cholesterol levels. Keeps blood pressure under control. Also reduces the risk of cancer. Eliminates constipation. It is quite beneficial in curing asthma, diabetes, high fever, fainting, epilepsy, etc. and plays an important role in eliminating digestive problems.
Among the various types of vegetables, "Bamboo shoots" is not less in any way. Rather, its benefits are many. Regular consumption of bamboo shoots is extremely effective as a preventive measure for various diseases of the human body.
Although it is a popular vegetable in the mountains, Due to the planned cutting of young bamboo roots and the seeds coming from bamboo trees, bamboo forests are being cleared day by day. As a result, various species of bamboo in the mountains are on the verge of extinction today.
