This morning, Jaya, our chef announced we were going to try something different before breakfast. Something very green. We were a little dubious!
Kola kanda is a traditional Sri Lankan food made up of green leaves which is used as nutritious wholesome morning meal and disease prevention drink. This food preparation is not mentioned in Ayurveda texts, hence it is indigenous to Sri Lanka. In ancient Sri Lanka it was the special food taken in empty stomach before solid foods taken for the breakfast.
Kola Kanda is a herbal soup prepared with raw rice, coconut milk and medicinal green leaves.
Commonly used plants for preparation of kola kanda are:
Polpala – Avera lantana
Gotukola – Centalla asiatica
Karapincha – Murraya koenigi
Hatawariya – Asparagus racemosus
Wepenela – Cordiospermum halicacabum
Mukunuwenna – Altenanthera sessilis
Iramusu – Hemidesmus indicus
Kathurumurunga – Sesbania grandiflora
Ranawara – Cassia auriculata
What’s it good for?
Well, Kola kanda is supposed to support long life. Plant materials are covered by indigestible cellulose cover, which contains fibers. When these plant materials are ground, squeezed and mixed with coconut milk, the fat soluble and water soluble vitamins are converted into easy to absorb forms in the body. The fresh dark green leaves are enriched in Carotene, Ascorbic acid, Riboflavin, Alphalinolic acid, Vitamin K and Folic acid. Calcium, Ferrous irons and Lysine protein are also included.
It is thought to prevent constipation, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and urinary tract infections.
What does it taste like?
It’s laced with garlic so there’s no kissing after breakfast unless your other half has also been swimming in Kola Kanda! Other than that – it tastes pretty much like spinach soup. Actually rather nice. Who’d have thought it?
We’re fast becoming Gotu Kola fans – it seems to be the fix it herb for absolutely anything.