SANFIZ: Tantalizing the taste buds

by Rochelle Palipane Gunaratne

SANFIZ pickles and chutneys are the perfect accompaniment for the main dish- with its aromatic, power packed, flavourful concoctions blending perfectly to tantalize the taste buds.

“This is a dream of mine,” enthused Zubeida, who has a passion for cooking and a creative flair that makes her creations all the more appealing. Using fruits, vegetables, spices, juggery/ sugar and vinegar as her preservatives, she has produced a brand which reflects her love for cooking for her family and friends. “It gives me great pleasure to make meal times special and it gives me immense satisfaction to know that something I have created with attention to detail and with love goes a long way, even far off lands and to the homes of strangers- ensuring that they make their meal times memorable and heart-warming.

Listening to her makes you realize that SANFIZ is not a mere product but a personalized accompaniment created with love. While the product has reached many a household worldwide as gifts through friends and relatives, the first official consignment was sent to USA recently which is a source of pride for Zubaida and her family and for the country.

The name SANFIZ too has a deeper meaning as it is an abbreviation of the names of her husband, children, grandchildren and herself combined, which indicates the value placed on everything that is prepared. After all, what began as a love for cooking with a dash of creativity has taken wing as an entrepreneurial venture in a small scale by a lady who believes that dreams do come true.

Fun facts about pickles and chutneys

The key difference between pickle and chutney is that the pickle typically includes whole fruits and vegetables or large pieces whereas chutney includes small pieces of fruits and vegetables. Furthermore, pickle refers to vegetables or fruit, sometimes cut into pieces, which have been kept in vinegar or salt water for a long time so that they have a strong, sharp taste. Chutney, on the other hand, is a spicy condiment made of fruits or vegetables with vinegar, spices, and sugar.

Although many people consider pickle and chutney as the same type of preservatives, there is a distinct difference between pickle and chutney. The process of pickling makes pickles while slow cooking makes chutneys. Both these foods include preserving perishable food, i.e., fruits and vegetables.

Pickles health benefits

Pickles have many health benefits from being a probiotic to boosting immunity. Pickles are loaded with nutrients like Vitamin A, D and K, along with minerals such as sodium, potassium, etc. Pickles don’t just add flavour to your meal but also enrich the nutrient quality of your food. Pickles such as cucumber, spinach, thyme, mango are also good sources of vitamin C.

Moreover, pickle also has good bacteria and antioxidants that help in enhancing your overall health too. Pickles assist in maintaining good gut health as pickle is a fermented product. Not to mention, if your gut is clear, you will also have a smooth weight loss journey. It is not an aid in weight loss but can be consumed in the right quantity during the time. However, the consumption should be in very small portion as it may lead to constipation.

Pickes are also good as they control sugar levels of a patient. Vinegar based pickles help in improving hemoglobin levels in diabetic patients. It is basically because of acetic acid that is present in vinegar.

Health benefits of chutney

Chutney acts as a detoxifier for your stomach. Consuming even little amounts of chutney can help in cleansing your stomach with its helpful vitamins like Vitamin B, C and A. As it is a probiotic food, it is very beneficial for your digestive system. Chutney helps in lowering the cholesterol levels, thus helping in maintaining good heart health. Chutneys have a lot of beneficial nutrients like potassium, vitamin C and fiber that are good for your heart. So, you can include a little amount of chutney in your daily diet.

Both pickle and chutney are highly nutritious and offer several health benefits to the human body. These tasty food items should be consumed in small quantities to enjoy advantages and prevent side effects of overconsumption. Therefore, you can include both chutney and pickle in your diet in small quantities!