A traditional Indian meal is never complete without curd.

“Curd is fun and delicious to eat when stored in clay pots”, is what my mother would always tell me.   

I remember those days when summer arrived, my mother would use clay pots for storing water and use it as a curd setter. She believed clay pots are healthier and would make the food more enjoyable. When prepared in the mud pot (curd setter) the wholesome goodness of curd is further improved, and it gets its natural taste and flavour.

Curd is a must-have food during summers, it has multiple benefits that are needed during summers. A bowl of creamy and fresh curd will stir up the essence of the overall food consumed.

Let me walk you through some of the scientifically proven facts that will convince you to  buy a clay curd setter now: 

Benefits of Curd Setter :

• Enriching thickness: Clay pots are porous in nature, it absorbs the excess water from the curd; which basically makes the curd thicker and healthier. In case you use a metal or plastic container, it becomes watery and there is no enriching thickness in the curd. 
• Temperature fluctuations: Even a small fluctuation in the temperature can cause the curd to taste sour. The curd setter made of clay is extremely heat resistant and will sheathe the curd against the temperature fluctuations. 
• Healthy and delicious: Milk products are acidic in nature but that is not good for one’s health. The clay curd setters have alkaline substances that will balance the acidic substances in the curd and provide a good pH balance. It also minimizes the sourness and makes the curd taste delicious. 
• Additional benefits: Curd gives glowing skin and strong immunity if consumed proportionally but how about adding more healthy minerals to it? Clay pots made of Palakkad soil that are strong and long-lasting in nature, add nutrients to the food and contain high rich minerals such as Calcium, Iron, Phosphorous,Sulphur, Magnesium and other organic compounds that are tremendously beneficial to a healthy lifestyle. 
• Tasty buds: You will see a section in many restaurant menus where they provide you the option of having the same dish but what’s the difference you may ask? It is a fact that it is cooked in clay pots. The most mouth-watering desserts like rabri and mishti doi are served in clay pots because they add an exquisite flavor to the food. 

Benefits of Curd:

• High on nutritional value, curd has many nutrients essential for the proper functioning of vital organs like the brain and heart.
• It also helps in strengthening the bones and teeth and in maintaining smooth, glowing skin and hair.
• Curd gives glowing skin and strong immunity.

How to Clean:

For general and deep cleaning, allow the earthen pot to soak overnight in the sink in water mixed with baking soda. Add 3 tablespoons of baking soda per liter of hot water. Wash the pot with a soft bristle brush or nonmetallic scrubbing pad. Do not use abrasive scouring powders because they will clog the pores and make the pot useless. Salt or ash can be used as a non-toxic alternative to chemical cleaners. Sprinkle salt into the pot and scour it using a scouring pad. Rinse the pot with warm water and allow it to dry.

If any mold forms during storage periods sprinkle baking soda inside the pot, then rinse with warm water using a brush to remove the mold. If clay pores become clogged, the pot should be cooked in boiling water for about 30 minutes.

Never use soap or detergent because the porous nature of clay will absorb the soap. The detergent may leave an unpleasant soapy taste and this flavor will leach back into your next clay pot meal.

Storage:

After washing, make sure to store your earthenware in dry and well-ventilated areas. This will eliminate the risk of mold growth inside the pot.

 If bacterial growth is of concern, dry the pots in a 200°F oven for 30 minutes before storing in a cool, dry place.