How to Care for Your Terracotta Cookware – Just Like Grandma Did!

A Nostalgic Connection to Cooking the Way It Should Be

Remember when the smell of aromatic biryanis, slow-cooked dals, and hot rotis fresh from a clay tandoor filled Grandma's kitchen? When food had an earthy scent, warmth, and flavor that no aluminum or stainless steel container could ever hope to replicate? That is the allure of terracotta cookware, a custom that has been handed down through the ages and is based on sustainability, taste, and health.

Take a journey along the years with us and discover how to properly care your terracotta cookware the old-fashioned way !

 Step 1: Give a warm welcome to it on your first use!

Do not use your tava or mitti ka handi for cooking right away if you just got it! Terracotta must first be soaked and seasoned before use, just like newborns require a warm embrace.

What to do is as follows:

For six to eight hours, or better still, overnight, soak the clay pot in water. By doing this, the clay will become harder and less likely to shatter.

• To prepare it for cooking, rub a small amount of ghee or mustard oil in and out, sealing the pores.

•  For ten to fifteen minutes, slowly heat it with water inside over a low burner. This guarantees that the clay will gradually adjust to the heat.

It's like "introducing your handi to its new home"—slow down and give it time to get used to it!

Step 2: Cleaning Every Day: Handle It Like Family

Terracotta utensils require little care; gentle handling will enough. Similar to your grandmother's vintage silk saree, it's timeless yet should be handled carefully.

How to properly clean it: 

•  Rinse with warm water after use.  Use a gentle sponge to remove any residue—no chemicals, please! . You can use lemon and salt for basic cleaning.

•  Use a paste made of baking soda and water to remove a persistent stain; let it on for ten minutes and then rinse it off. 

•  Avoid using dish soap. You don't want your next meal to taste like soap, do you? Clay absorbs everything.

Step 3: Natural Odor Elimination (Because No One Wants a Stinky Pot!??)

Have you ever wondered why flavors are absorbed by clay pots? Because the earthware encourages fermentation, curd cooked in a clay pot tastes better! However, there may be some lingering flavors in the pot anytime you switch from a spicy gravy to a simple dal.

Here's how to resolve it:

•  Bring vinegar or lemon peels to a boil in the pot's water to naturally deodorize it.

Before rinsing, rub in some rock salt and let it sit for an hour. 

• Sun dry for a few hours, just like our grandmothers used to do!

Problem solved There isn't any trace of the curry smell from yesterday in the buttermilk today.

Step 4: Allow Terracotta Cookware to Breathe While Being Stored!

Terracotta cookware breathes, absorbs, and maintains its inherent qualities, unlike cookware made of metal or plastic. Thus, it is crucial to store it appropriately!

Its worst enemy is moisture, so make sure it's completely dry before storing!

Keep it away from moisture and in a well-ventilated environment. If you are stacking clay pots, use a paper towel or soft cloth between them to prevent scratches.

To prolong the life of your terracotta cookware, a little organization goes a long way, much like granny always kept her silverware neatly organized on wooden shelves!

Final Thoughts – Cooking with Mitti, Cooking with Love

Today's world revolves around non-stick pans, easy meals, and quick cooking. However, there's something unique about cooking in a clay pot. It moves more slowly. more contemplative. more organic.

Food prepared in terracotta, in my opinion, still captures the spirit of love, tradition, and leisure. Additionally, if we look after our mitti ke bartan, they will look after us in the same manner as they did for our dadi.

Therefore, keep in mind that you are not holding a pot the next time you get to hold a terracotta handi. History, heritage, and a sense of home are all in your possession.

Want to start your journey with terracotta cookware?

Explore Mittified’s handcrafted collection here → www.mittified.com