Chinta Chiguru Cost Out-Beating Chicken, Fish, Prawn, Mutton Prices

 Vijayawada: The price of chinta chiguru (tender tamarind leaves) is competing with those of chicken, fish, prawn and mutton. These tender leaves are available in May and June months. People mix them in various combinations of different dishes, particularly curries, treating the tender tamarind leaves as being good for health.

Tender tamarind leaves hitherto cost Rs 200–Rs 300 per kg. But their price has touched Rs 1,000 per kg. This is equal to 3.5 kg of chicken, nearly one kg of mutton, four to five kg of fish and nearly two to three kg of prawn, depending on the quality.

The reason for this hike is that tamarind trees used to be earlier found in every place. But they are now disappearing due to swift urbanisation.

A pickle made with tamarind leaves – chinta chiguru pachadi, made by grinding these leaves with peanuts, garlic cloves, dried red chilies and cumin seeds – is very popular in Andhra Pradesh and other parts of the country. It is considered to be good for digestion, because tamarind leaves act as a laxative.

Chef P. Ramesh underlined that tender tamarind leaves are an important ingredient in Andhra cuisine, as the leaves are very tasty. The leaves are used in preparing dal, fish, chicken, mutton, prawn and other curries. Majority of people make it a point to eat dishes with chinta chiguru every year without fail.

Significantly, vendors on pushcarts and footpaths are selling tender tamarind leaves in grams. Their rates in Vijayawada and other cities are Rs 100 for 100 grams.

Vendor D. Ravanamma recalled that earlier tamarind trees could be found on both sides of the roads in cities, towns and villages. But now, they have been cut off to make way for roads and buildings. She said, as a result, she is having to travel to hilly areas and interior villages to collect tender tamarind leaves.

Another vendor S Mani said earlier workers specialising in plucking tender tamarind leaves readily offered their services. But now, they are in severe shortage. The few workers available are demanding huge money to pluck the leaves. They are adding to the expenses, further increasing the prices of tender leaves abnormally.

Homemaker Rehana Shaheen, however, emphasised that despite the abnormal price, they are purchasing chinta chiguru, as it is available only during this season. It has health benefits, apart from being tasty.

Ayurvedic doctor P. Krishna Rao said tender tamarind leaves are very effective in easing joint pains, rich with ascorbic acid, vitamin C and tartaric acid, which help build a person’s immunity.