Titey Paatti: Bitter Leaf

Revisiting old literature classics can be quite educational in more ways than one.

While re-reading Kipling's 'Kim', I was moved to look up "Artemisia", which I learned is a genus of plants belonging to the daisy family. More interestingly, one of the species is known as "Artemisia absinthium", or commonly "Wormwood"... or what we knew as "Titey Paatti" (in Nepali, directly translating to 'bitter leaf') while we were growing up in the wilds of Chimakothi, Bhutan.

We always knew that the plant had medicinal properties... and worked well as an insect/pest repellent. How did we know that? Coz there'd be no leeches on these plants! :D.. and we'd make "hats" of these plants while hiking and trekking as they had a very effective shade-giving, cooling and relaxing effect.

Now I also know that our humble plant is also the source of Absinthe.. :D..... and more importantly, was the original flavoring for Vermouth (derived from the German word Wermut, "wormwood") !!

I still remember the bitter fresh smell of crushed Tittey Paatti leaves... and now that'll always come back to me when I drink Martinis. :)