The Magic of Arusuvai: Six Tastes, One Story

f you’ve ever had a proper Tamil meal—served on a banana leaf, the rice still steaming, and at least one relative watching you like a hawk to see if you “know how to eat properly”—then you’ve already met Arusuvai.

It’s not just a random mix of flavours. It’s a carefully balanced way to satisfy your whole palate, nourish your body, and leave you feeling… well, whole.

Let’s break it down:

1. Inippu (Sweet)

You’ll often start or end a Tamil meal with something sweet, like:

• Sakkarai Pongal – a warm, sticky rice dish made with jaggery (unrefined cane sugar), ghee, and cashews.

• Payasam – a sweet milk-based pudding made with rice or vermicelli.

Sweet dishes are often served during celebrations, festivals, and special family occasions.

2. Uvarppu (Salty)

Salt is the taste that brings all the others to life. You’ll find uvarppu in:

• Vadaam – sun-dried, crunchy rice or lentil crisps, usually deep-fried and served as a side.

• Most Tamil curries and vegetable stir-fries (poriyal) will have the right amount of salt to balance everything out.

It’s the everyday taste we often take for granted—but without it, nothing else tastes right!

3. Kaippu or Kasappu (Bitter)

Kaippu refers to the bitter taste, and while it’s not everyone’s favourite, it plays an important role in digestion and balance. You’ll find it in:

• Pavakkai (bitter gourd) – often sautéed with spices to reduce its intensity.

• Neem leaves – sometimes used in special dishes during Tamil New Year for their cleansing properties.

Bitter foods are usually eaten in small quantities, but they’re important in traditional Tamil meals.

4. Puli (Sour)

The sour taste, or puli, adds tang and excitement to the plate. It often comes from:

• Tamarind – a dark, tangy fruit pulp used in iconic Tamil dishes like puli kulambu (tamarind curry).

• Mango oorugai – spicy pickled raw mango that adds a sharp punch to rice and curd dishes.

Sour dishes awaken the taste buds and get your appetite going!

5. Kaaram (Spicy/Hot)

No Tamil meal is complete without kaaram! This taste brings heat and flavour, usually from:

• Milagai podi – also known as “gunpowder,” this is a dry chutney powder made with roasted lentils and chillies, eaten with idli or dosa.

• Fresh green or red chillies in curries and pickles.

It’s not just about heat—it’s about adding depth and complexity to a dish.

6. Thuvarppu (Astringent)

Thuvarppu is probably the least understood of the six tastes. It refers to the dry, puckering feeling you get from certain foods. You’ll find it in:

• Thuvaram paruppu (toor dal or pigeon peas) – the base for many Tamil lentil dishes like sambar.

• Raw bananas or certain beans, which can leave a slightly drying sensation in the mouth.

This taste helps tone and balance the meal.

Together, these six tastes create harmony on the plate—and they’re not just for show. They reflect an ancient understanding of how food affects our bodies, moods, and overall health.

When combined on a banana leaf, these six tastes don’t compete—they complement each other. That’s the beauty of Arusuvai. You don’t skip the bitter or shy away from the spicy. You make room for each taste, and in doing so, you create something whole.

That idea of wholeness—of embracing all parts of life, not just the easy or the sweet—is something I carry into my writing.

In the Kural Inspired Stories series, each tale is like a leaf on which I place different flavours: wonder, challenge, humour, heartache, courage, joy. Inspired by the timeless Thirukkural, these stories offer not just entertainment, but nourishment. A way for children (and adults!) to reflect on values, identity, and inner strength—served with a good helping of magic and culture.

Because just like a real Tamil meal, a good story isn’t just about sweetness. It’s about learning from every flavour life has to offer.

So next time you sit down to a Tamil meal take a moment to notice the Arusuvai. And maybe ask—what’s the story behind each taste?

With spice, sweetness, and a dash of story magic,

Rushani

I’m a passionate storyteller who blends ancient wisdom with modern adventure, bringing the timeless teachings of the
Thirukkural to life for young readers. With a background in education and writing and a deep love for Tamil literature, I create stories that inspire children to think, reflect, and act in their own lives.

The Kural Inspired Stories series is designed to introduce the profound wisdom of Thiruvalluvar through engaging, fantasydriven adventures that spark curiosity and encourage personal growth. Each book is a journey into the past, filled with mystery, moral dilemmas, and lessons that remain just as relevant today as they were centuries ago.

When not writing, I enjoy watching thought-provoking movies,
trying new foods, exploring new places, reading mythologies
from different cultures, and having long philosophical
discussions over a cup of Chai.

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I’m a passionate storyteller who blends ancient wisdom with modern adventure, bringing the timeless teachings of the Thirukkural to life for young readers.

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