Punjabi bhathi facts for kids
A bhathi (pronounced 'buh-thee') is a special type of oven used in the Punjab region of India and Pakistan. It's a bit like a traditional brick oven you might see in old bakeries, but with its own unique design. People use bhathis to cook and toast food, especially grains.
How a Bhathi is Built
A traditional Punjabi bhathi is built in a special way. First, a hole is dug in the ground. Then, a round wall is built above the ground using clay. At one end of the hole, a round opening is made. This opening lets smoke escape from the oven.
The inside walls of the bhathi are covered with clay. On one side, there's a bigger opening. This is where people put wood, bamboo leaves, or grass to make the fire. The very top of the bhathi is usually left open. A large metal pot or utensil filled with sand is placed on top. The sand helps to hold and spread the heat, making the oven even hotter.
What's Cooked in a Bhathi?
In the Punjab, people traditionally toast corn and wheat grains in the bhathi. These toasted grains are a popular snack. Sometimes, they are mixed with jaggery, which is a type of unrefined sugar. This makes a sweet and crunchy treat.
Bhathis Today
Long ago, almost every village in Punjab had many bhathis. They were a very important part of daily life. However, over time, the use of these traditional ovens has become less common. Even so, bhathis are still used in many parts of the Punjab region and also in Rajasthan.
Different Kinds of Bhathis
There are a few different types of bhathis:
- Closed-top bhathis: In Rajasthan, some bhathis are closed at the top. People put cooking pots inside these ovens to cook things like barley grains.
- Open-top bhathis: Other bhathis have an open top. Large cooking plates or big pots are placed on top of the opening. These are used to cook large amounts of food, often for many people.
