What is Soapstone Cookware and why you should cook your daily meals in it

Soapstone also known as Stealite or Kalchattis (in Tamil) is a magnesium-rich stone. It’s a natural, dense, yet soft stone, which is composed of the mineral talc and is rich in magnesium. Ayurveda says that food should not be overcooked, nor re-heated & should be consumed warm. Food cooked in soapstone cookware fulfills all the above-mentioned criteria and hence food experts also feel that it is one of the best cookwares that one can use for cooking and serving purposes. Here’s how and why. (Image: istock)

While the food cooked in magnesium rich cookware is 100 percent safe to eat, experts feel that this cookware comes with a tag of 'handle with care'. The soft stone calls for careful handling, because even a harsh hit with a ladle or spoon, can result in cracking of the vessel. (Image: istock)

According to experts, soapstone cookware cannot be used immediately. Sandhya Iyer, who has been using this cookware for a decade says, "It takes 15-30 days to make it usable." Traditionally, to make it usable, the cookware is first greased with oil and turmeric powder in and out and then rice starch is added to it, and then it is boiled for a minimum of 10 days for a few hours daily to make it perfect for cooking purposes. This process changes the weight of the vessel and it’s a sign that the cookware is ready to use. In modern space, you can do it using an oven too. To begin with, you need to wash the cookware in hot water and then wipe it with a cotton cloth. Next, generously grease it with olive oil and allow it to be absorbed for the next 24 hours. Next, place it in an oven and set the temperature at 350 degrees. Turn the oven off after 15 minutes and allow it to cool. (Image: istock)

According to food experts, cooking food in soapstone cookware helps keep the nutrients intact. As per reports, it retains 98% nutrients of the food cooked in it. (Image: istock)

Cooking acidic food in soapstone cookware is ideal, as it helps dilute the acids and alkalis and make food healthier for consumption. (Image: istock)

Interestingly, soapstone cookware can keep the food warm for 3-4 hours after cooking. Hence, you can easily skip the habit of reheating the food. (Image: istock)

It has been found that soapstone absorbs heat faster and thus reduces the cooking time by 15 percent as compared to modern cookware. Also, it continues to cook food for 5-7 minutes even after switching off the flame, and thus saves fuel too. (Image: istock)

It is suggested to use warm water and a soft cotton cloth to clean soapstone cookware. Make sure the soapstone cookware is at room temperature while cleaning. (Image: istock)

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