The 'Chaayakada' Memoir

In all my regular long journeys in search of my roots all these years, I have never come across this sumptuous feeling of happiness filled with satisfaction to have discovered authentic food.even though I brag upon weight loss tamashas and calorie counts all the time,deep within I am a die hard foodie and I don't regret to say it aloud.

Today as well, immersed in thoughts while the car drove me to a place where my roots hibernate,a tiny tea shop caught my attention and the sight led me to vintage setting.Pale walls,saree clad lady dipping finely round parippuvadas into hot oil,yummy looking snacks smiling at me inside glass cupboards.Though am not used to eating plenty of tea time snacks from 1980's shop,and more inclined on eating less authentic ,highly priced snacks from artificially created ambience of shopping malls,i decided to try my luck.or being more precise the aroma and the rich array of snacks navigated me to the shop.There are times when my cravings outweigh my calorie conscious brain and I binge without a second thought.And this time, the experience was mind blowing.crispy paripuvadas,soft and yummy unniappams,rich pazamporis deep fried to perfection and the best uzhunnuvadas I ever had. Each bite brought me the nostalgic memories of my past,my moms kitchen and my mom..and the principle every mothers apply when they cook for their loved ones..and its simple. They add a tinge of love to the food and that's why it always tastes best.

As I stepped out of the shop, I had found my own reasons to smile. What more can a foodie ask for!When I paid the bills, I wanted to say a note of appreciation to the saree clad lady on her cooking skills,but i walked out silent..And its true..We always fail to mention the best of others, and what we says aloud often hurts others.

*Chaayakada : Traditional old fashioned tea shop in Kerala.

*Other Malayalam words : Authentic tea time snacks of Kerala.