Why should one add a pinch of sugar while preparing spinach and fenugreek? Know the science behind this grandmother’s remedy

News India Live, Digital Desk: You must have often seen your mother or grandmother adding a pinch of sugar while preparing green leafy vegetables, like spinach, fenugreek, or beans. It may seem a bit strange when you see it for the first time. What is the use of sugar in salty vegetables? Will this not make the vegetable sweeter? If the same questions come to your mind too, then today we are going to tell you the interesting scientific secret behind this old and tried kitchen hack.

This is not just a trick to enhance the taste, but there is a secret hidden behind it which can make both the color and taste of your vegetable excellent.

Secret No. 1: To maintain the vegetable’s ‘beautiful green color’

This is the biggest and most scientific reason for this trick. When we cook green vegetables like spinach, fenugreek, peas or beans, they get charred when exposed to heat. chlorophyll It starts getting destroyed. Chlorophyll is the pigment that gives vegetables their beautiful green color.

• How does sugar work?: When you add a pinch of sugar to a vegetable, it acts like a protective shield to protect the chlorophyll from heat. It prevents chlorophyll molecules from breaking.
• outcome: Instead of looking wilted and dark in color even after cooking, your vegetables look vibrant and bright green. Restaurants and restaurant owners also often use this trick to maintain the color of their vegetables.

Secret No. 2: To reduce bitterness

Some green vegetables, especially fenugreek and mustard greens, have a slight bitterness, which many people do not like.

• How does sugar work?: The sweetness present in sugar does not completely eliminate the bitterness of the vegetable, but rather reduces it. balance Does it. It has such an effect on your taste buds that you feel less bitterness and the real, earthy flavor of the vegetable comes to the fore.
• how much sugar?: Just a pinch! The quantity should be so less that the taste of the vegetable does not become sweet, only its bitterness becomes mild.

Secret number 3: to enhance the taste

A pinch of sugar not only reduces the bitterness, but it also enhances the taste of other spices present in the vegetable. This combined with salt, chilli and other spices creates a very balanced and deep flavour, making your curry even more delicious.

So next time you prepare any green leafy vegetable, don’t forget to try this little trick. A pinch of sugar can give your simple looking vegetable a restaurant-like beauty and taste.