Cow Dung Cake cooking in India

Did you know people cook with cow dung cakes in India? It's called Upla (उपला) and it's made from the dried dung of cows and buffalos. It's mostly used for firing an earthen stove and boiling water to drink.

Cow dung cakes hold significant importance in India due to their cultural, economic, and environmental benefits.

They are used in Hindu religious ceremonies and traditional practices, symbolising purification and protection.

Economically, they provide a vital source of income for rural households and serve as an affordable, sustainable fuel alternative, reducing reliance on firewood and preventing deforestation.

Environmentally, they help manage agricultural waste and enhance soil fertility as natural fertilisers.

Despite some health concerns related to smoke, traditional stove designs can mitigate these effects.

Thus, cow dung cakes play a crucial role in sustaining rural livelihoods, supporting traditional practices, and promoting environmental sustainability.

#india #villages #indianfood #sustainable #sustainability #haryana

[KarlRock]

When used for cooking, upla (उपला) is used like charcoal. It burns slowly and steadily. It doesn't add any taste to the food. Wood is also commonly used alongside it.

[KarlRock]

Upla (उपला) is made of cow or buffalo dung mixed with straw, then dried. Many people make extra and sell it. You can even find it on Amazon!

[bigcheese]

In the Andes it's also used for cooking, they don't smell but can smoke a lot some times

[nishant]

The cow dung upla used is a very good resource for cooking. The smoke helps get away with mosquitoes and insects. also the upla burns for longer duration giving moderate heat to food not burning them directly. I really love the way you are living in an Indian village, staying in Urban City I miss this part of life.❤

[harleengrewal]

Feels like you are living my life and I am your. Can't wait to come back home. Aotearoa is beautiful but home is home.
If your don't mind me for asking, are you ever planning of coming back?

[toko]

Amazing life style very organic, cow poo for cooking

[yuufie]

It was used here in Philippines countryside before gas stove touches everyone's houses.

[avinashkamal]

Already eaten food at my hometowm ...used to hsve fun those days 😊

[Dave-zwpo]

The calorific value of upla is way less then LPG gas which is commonly used in LPG cylinder in INDIA . This helps cook food at an optimum rate, making tastier and healthier to eat. Slow cooked food always tastes good

[DC-pmlc]

The real use of it is from its slow burning and it's smoke which drives away mosquitos. I can't imagine working on our farm during summers without one burning nearby.😅😢

[jjameson]

I would love to see our Harvard students to live a week in your shoes . I doubt if they would make it. God bless these strong people 💪🙏❤🇺🇲

[omerbhattipk]

similar yaar...Yaar Qasam say aisa hi hai Pakistan... Yaar hum dono Bhai Bhai hain... Most Welcome Indians

[classicambo]

Wouldn't mind eating off upla cooked foods (have done and it was fine) but actually doing the cooking long term, no. Terrible for respiratory health as drastically reduces air qaulity in the home. Too smokey. COPD is very high in women in developing countries due to this factor alone.

[mastiwaliduniya]

It's not upla . We call it...thapri😅😂😂

[donderstorm]

they should give the cow some more shade

[andrewst]

Upla is certainly not 'sustainable'

[N_DoubleYou]

Would you eat food cooked like this?

💩🥘🤢🤮🥴 I already ate, thanks.