Five batters, and what each one is for

We grind five batters. People often buy the first one and never look further, which is a pity, because the other four solve different problems. Here is what each is actually for.

Idly and Dosa Maavu

The everyday one, and the only batter here that does two jobs. Use it thicker for idly and thinned slightly for dosa. Fresh, it makes soft idly. On day two or three, when it has gained a little sourness, it makes a better dosa. One pack covers breakfast for a family for two or three days.

Appam Maavu

Thinner, and ground for a different result: lacy crisp edges with a soft, spongy centre. It needs an appachatti, the small bowl shaped pan. Pour, swirl once so the batter climbs the sides, cover and leave it alone. Do not spread it like a dosa.

Appam goes with coconut milk and a little jaggery, or with any stew. It is a Sunday batter more than a weekday one.

Adai Maavu

A mixed dal batter, coarser and much higher in protein than the rest. Adai is thicker than dosa and cooked slower, and it is a meal rather than a snack. If you want one item on this list that fills people up properly, this is it.

Good with avial, or just jaggery on the side. It does not need fermenting further, so cook it straight from the pack.

Kelvaragu Maavu

Ragi, or finger millet. Darker, earthier, and the one people buy when they want more fibre and iron in the morning without changing what they eat. It makes a sturdier dosa than rice batter and holds together well.

Ragi browns faster, so keep the pan a touch cooler than you would for a plain dosa.

Gothumai Maavu

Wheat. The quickest of the five, because it does not depend on fermentation the way a rice and urad batter does. Useful on a morning when you forgot to plan anything. Thin, fast, and good with chutney.

What they have in common

• Stone ground in our own unit in Thiruvanmiyur, every morning.
• No preservatives and no soda.
• Kept refrigerated from grinding until delivery.

Order before 6 PM and it arrives the next morning, or collect from the counter between 9 AM and 9 PM. See all five in the shop.