Have you ever been told not to dip a metal spoon in a jar of honey? It is often one of the common household rules passed down through generations. The belief is that metal could react with honey, turning it toxic, or at the least, ruin its health benefits. What happens if you leave a metal spoon in honey for a while? Could it be harmful? To clear out the confusion, we reached out to a health expert. "Using a metal spoon briefly in honey is completely safe," said Isha Lall, nutritionist and ayurvedic wellness coach. She said that while honey is slightly acidic and it is true that acids can react with metals, a quick dip of a stainless steel spoon won’t cause any negative reactions. What is the basis of this myth? Years ago, spoons were made of reactive metals like copper or iron, and these could corrode over time when left in honey. However, most modern stainless steel spoons are resistant to corrosion. According to Lall, even if left in honey for weeks in humid conditions, these spoons may not see any major corrosion and are unlikely to affect the honey in any harmful way. What can you use instead? Lall recommends wooden spoons as a great alternative, "They also bring that old-school, natural vibe to your kitchen, like you’re harvesting honey from your backyard beehive," she said. In Ayurveda, honey is revered as a potent “Yogavahi,” which enhances the medicinal properties of anything it’s combined with. However, Ayurveda warns against heating honey, as it changes its composition and produces toxins. As for metal spoons, stainless steel is safe—just avoid leaving utensils in honey for long.

By Matilda Welin I don't like cleaning. I also don't like buying commercial cleaning products: I worry that they are harmful both to me and to the environment. As a result, you'll sometimes find me mopping our entire kitchen floor with just a kitchen roll dampened in tap water. So when my BBC editor asked me to test a cupboard staple – baking soda – in my household chores, I agreed to give it a go. I would try a few hacks popularised online and see if they worked for me. Could they help keep my home clean, while alleviating my environmental concerns and saving me money at the same time? Keeping your home fresh by using cupboard staples like baking soda (also known as bicarbonate of soda, bicarb, sodium bicarbonate or NaHCO3, if you're feeling chemical, but not baking powder, which is a combination of baking soda and cream of tartar) is a perennial hack, associated as much with old housewives as with TikTok videos, health sites and even the Great British Bakeoff's Nancy Birtwhistle. The idea is that in certain situations, baking soda can replace shop-bought cleaning products, sparing not only the environment but also ourselves from harm. I head to the grocery store and buy two small store-brand jars of the stuff for £0.59 ($0.77) a piece, along with a small jar of a branded version for £1.59 ($2.08). Then I call Nathan Kilah, a senior lecturer in chemistry at the University of Tasmania, Australia. "Any cleaning property that we're going to get from baking soda arises from the chemical properties it has," he tells me. "[When we clean] there are different parts in the grime and muck that can be chemically modified by the baking soda." Baking soda or bicarbonate of soda is a base or alkali, he explains, meaning it has a high pH. Therefore, one of its chemical properties is that it can remove hydrogen in the form of an ion from other materials. "So the molecules react?" I ask. "It's not just that if I scrub something, I'm removing dirt?" Correct, he tells me. Bicarbonate of soda is also a mild abrasive, meaning it can shift stubborn material off a dirty surface with the help of some elbow grease. This is why using baking soda for limescale in the kettle would not be ideal – limescale is a base too, so the two wouldn't typically react. For that, lime or vinegar work better, because they are acidic. This seems to be the golden rule. "Acids are good for cleaning up bases," Kilah says, "whereas bases are good for cleaning up acids". (This is why the popular online trend of combining bicarbonate of soda and vinegar into a fizzy mixture for cleaning is almost completely bogus – the two substances simply cancel each other out.)   Later, I do my first cleaning experiment. I add baking soda mixed with water onto the stained fabric of a sofa cushion and leave it for 30 minutes before wiping it off. The stain is gone – but a white ring of powder has taken its place (and will, it turns out, remain for weeks). As I wipe at the substance, it feels slippery – an indication that I am dealing with alkaline matter, according to Kilah, which you can sometimes feel even when eating cakes or biscuits made using baking soda. I also try it on stained teacups with limited success. Luckily, I have another chemist to call. "Most of the uses I see for baking soda [for cleaning] don't work," says Dario Bressanini, a chemist and science communicator from the University of Insubria in Como, Italy, and author of the book The Science of Cleaning. He is puzzled about the public perception of the cupboard staple. "You see all these concoctions with lemon juice, vinegar, baking soda, and table salt. Most of these recipes are completely bogus,” says Bressanini.   Its high pH, he says, is baking soda's one key power. It can be used to counteract things like bad smells in shoes, which are usually generated by organic acids produced by bacteria, and the smell of rotten tomatoes in your fridge, created by acidic liquid, but that is more or less it. And even this one power is quite weak. I later pour a generous helping of baking soda into our bathroom sink and chase it with boiling water from the kettle. It fizzes a bit. A few bubbles form, and I feel like a wizard or a witch. But the drain remains the same. At least I didn't clog it. Furthermore, baking soda is not a detergent – it cannot englobe dirt. Most of the dirt around us is greasy, Bressanini says. To clean that, you need surfactants, molecules that reduce the surface tension between two materials. "Soap is a surfactant. The shampoo contains surfactant and detergents contain surfactants. Baking soda does not." Reluctant to give up, I tell Bressanini how I poured baking soda and hot water into a greasy oven tray the previous day, and the resulting goop was easily washed out. That, he explains, is because the fat and the soda reacted transforming into a stronger base. It is one way of cleaning a crusty and greasy pan. It turns out I produced soap – although actual soap, produced with the right ingredients in the right proportions, would have been better, he says. And what about the online trend of using baking soda in your hair? Don't do it, says Bressanini. Alkaline substances raise the small plaques, or cuticles, that cover our hairs, making them weaker. That is the reason shampoos are slightly acidic, unlike soap. Both Kilah and Bressanini assure me that cleaning with baking powder is not dangerous (so long as you don't think washing fruit in it will disinfect it, or mix different products and risk dangerous chemical reactions), but they point out the strengths of supermarket cleaning products that I have not thought about before. While cleaners from the supermarket may indeed make use of the same pH-induced chemical reaction as baking soda and vinegar, they have additional properties as well – they can break down fat, lower the surface tension of water, or disinfect. "The thing that I'd say with a lot of these alternate baking soda cleaning methods is that they always involve scrubbing," Kilah says. "You're never just going to sprinkle it on there and walk away and expect it to be clean. You're going to scrub." What's more, baking soda, says Bressanini, is not naturally occurring. It costs energy and resources to synthesize. It is created, I learn, from carbonate, around two-thirds of which is obtained synthetically, mainly via the Solvay process (The remaining third comes from the mineral trona, which is dug out from mines). "It's produced in industrial processes that use ammonia, sodium chloride, calcium carbonate... Many of the Solvay plants around the world are huge, industrial plants," notes Bressanini. The most important thing to do is to measure your cleaning products, and not flush unnecessary products into our seas, Bressanini says. And to use things selectively. You don't have to clean everything with bleach. My floor, I think, does not need to be as clean as my pillows. Once created, baking soda is not in itself harmful to the environment, my experts assure me. So is cleaning with baking soda better for the environment? I ask Kilah. "On balance, I would say yes," he answers. "But it depends on the comparison being made... the pathways of sourcing through manufacturing and sale are so complex." Still, commonplace chemical cleaning products from the supermarket can be environmentally costly to produce, transport and package – and often come in volume-demanding liquid form and in more complicated packaging than baking soda, which, Kilah points out, is often stored in cardboard boxes.   These cleaners can also be harmful to humans and the environment, for example by emitting volatile organic compounds (VOC) and polyfluorinated organic compounds (Pfas) – so-called "forever chemicals", toxic compounds that can remain in humans and animals across the globe. "Recent research suggests that the greatest threat to children's health from home environments across much of the industrialized world may no longer be pathogenic microbes, but impoverished microbial communities and the chemicals used in everyday products, including those for cleaning," according to research co-edited by Rachael Wakefield-Rann, a sustainability researcher at the University of Technology Sydney in Australia and author of the book Life Indoors. I call her to learn more. We have come to define hygiene narrowly, she tells me – it's become synonymous with germ avoidance. But really, many synthetic chemicals pose a great health risk; antimicrobial chemicals, for example, can be endocrine-disrupting. Some microbes, on the other hand – like those on our pets – are beneficial, and even play an important role in training children's immune systems, she says. Products that kill 99% of germs allow the nastiest ones to survive and recolonize our homes like weeds in an empty flowerbed, Wakefield-Rann says. "I think using things like vinegar, the biodiversity isn't being killed because you're not... trying to eliminate everything that's living," she explains. However, she adds, if someone has an upset stomach, for example, you may want to bring in something more intense. (Read more about why we might need less cleaning and more "targeted hygiene" in our daily lives). More like this: • Why vinegar is so good at cleaning • What it takes to replace a flight with a long-distance bike ride • I made my plant-based milk to see if it was cheaper Our experience, Wakefield-Rann adds, trains us to like modern cleaning products. "From a very young age, a lot of us associate pine smells or lemon smells with that kind of hospital cleanliness. [And] it's not just scent, but it's things like lather. Whether something bubbles or not is central to whether some people judge it to be cleaning effectively," she says. The same goes for whether something's squeaky or shiny: often, Wakefield-Rann says, people seem to think natural cleaning products don't work because things don't look clean enough when they use them. While cleaning is in some ways necessary to our lives and health, some aspects of how we view it are more cultural says Jo Littler from the media department of Goldsmith's University in London, who together with Emma Casey, senior lecturer in sociology at the University of York, has studied online clean fluencers like Sophie Hinchcliffe, also known as Mrs Hinch. "Having a certain standard of cleanliness or cleaning in a particular way can connect you to people or give you a particular status or make you appear respectable." Social media, Casey says, makes cleaning seem easy. "Even with the environmentally-friendly bicarbonate of soda accounts, there's quite often a very pleasing visual aesthetic, very curated. [But] cleaning with any product, let alone bicarbonate of soda, it's not easy. It's not straightforward." I try one last baking soda hack. Grabbing a pair of smelly Wellington boots, I sprinkle the baking powder in them, as Bressanini recommended. Powder dust blooms on my face and lands on the carpet. Afterwards, the shoes still stink. I call my experiment done. To save the planet and my wallet, I decide, I need to gain a bigger perspective on cleanliness in general: to think of it as a grey scale rather than a black and white one. Baking soda has a place on that scale, but really, it turns out, that place is quite small.

Actress Raima Sen embraced the festive spirit of Durga Puja this year by donning a stunning pink georgette Banarasi sari during the celebrations at her residence in Kolkata. Known for her refined fashion sense and elegant style, Raima chose the traditional Banarasi weave, which is renowned for its exquisite craftsmanship and timeless appeal. The pink georgette Banarasi sari stood out for its intricate zari work, blending traditional Indian heritage with contemporary grace. The sari's vibrant color was a perfect choice for the joyous atmosphere of Durga Puja, reflecting the exuberance of the festivities. Raima completed her look with classic jewelry, minimal makeup, and a chic bun, showcasing her trademark balance of simplicity and elegance. Raima Sen's choice of attire not only highlighted the beauty of Indian handloom but also paid homage to the deep cultural roots of the Durga Puja celebrations. Her ensemble struck a chord with fashion enthusiasts who admire the seamless fusion of tradition and modernity.

The festive spirit of Durga Puja is best experienced through the authentic flavors of traditional Bengali dishes. Over these nine auspicious days, each meal becomes a celebration of culture and culinary excellence. This blog will guide you through preparing a series of authentic Bengali recipes using the versatile Wipro Multicooker, making your festive cooking convenient and enjoyable Bhoger Khichuri  Ingredients Rice, moong dal, cauliflower, potatoes, ghee, bay leaves, cumin seeds, ginger paste, salt, and sugar.  Recipe Celebrate Durga Puja with the essential "Bhoger Khichuri," a staple among traditional Bengali dishes. In the multicooker Dry roast moong dal until aromatic, then sauté with cumin, bay leaves, and ginger in ghee. Add rice, chopped vegetables, and water, seasoning with salt and sugar. Simmer until everything melds into a comforting, flavourful dish, perfect for any festive gathering. This dish is a delightful showcase of authentic Bengali recipes during the celebrations. Labra   Ingredients Assorted vegetables, panch phoron, mustard oil, turmeric, and salt. Recipe Labra is a vibrant medley of mixed vegetables seasoned with panch phoron and cooked in mustard oil. Begin by heating the oil and tempering the panch phoron in the multicooker. Add diced vegetables like potatoes, eggplants, and pumpkins, seasoned with turmeric and salt. Slow cook until tender. This dish is a quintessential part of Durga Puja veg recipes, representing the rich culinary tradition of Bengal with every bite.  Aloo Posto   Ingredients Potatoes, poppy seeds, green chilies, mustard oil, and salt.   Recipe Aloo Posto, a beloved part of Bengali traditional recipes, features potatoes in a rich poppy seed paste. Boil potatoes until tender, then blend soaked poppy seeds with green chilies to create a creamy paste. In the multicooker, heat mustard oil, mix in the potatoes and poppy seed paste, and cook until aromatic. This dish is a testament to the simplicity and richness of authentic Bengali recipes during festive seasons.   Cholar Dal  Ingredients Chana dal, ghee, coconut, ginger, cumin seeds, bay leaves, raisins, and spices. Recipe Cholar Dal is a fragrant staple among Durga Puja veg recipes, featuring sweetened chana dal cooked with ghee and coconut. In the multicooker soak and boil the dal, then sauté with cumin, bay leaves, and ginger in ghee. Add coconut and raisins, simmering until thick. This dal is a celebration of the flavors that are central to Bengali traditional recipes, perfect for any festive meal. Luchi  Ingredients Refined flour, ghee, and water. Recipe Luchi is a festive delight, deep-fried to puffy perfection. Make a smooth dough with flour, ghee, and water. Roll small portions into thin circles and fry in hot oil in the multicooker until they puff up. This bread is an indispensable part of traditional Bengali dishes during Durga Puja, pairing beautifully with savory curries and sweet dals. Mishti Pulao  Ingredients Basmati rice, cashews, raisins, ghee, turmeric, sugar, and bay leaves.  Recipe Mishti Pulao adds a sweet note to the traditional Bengali dishes served during Durga Puja. In the Wipro multicooker sauté rice with turmeric and bay leaves in ghee, then add water, sugar, raisins, and cashews, cooking until the rice is fluffy. This dish showcases the unique Bengali flair for combining sweet and savory flavors, making it a festive favorite. Beguni  Ingredients Eggplants, chickpea flour, nigella seeds, turmeric, chili powder, salt, and oil for frying.  Recipe Beguni is a crispy, flavourful snack perfect for Durga Puja. Slice eggplants and dip them in a batter made with chickpea flour, spices, and water. Deep-fry them in the multicooker until golden. This dish is a popular part of authentic Bengali recipes, offering a delicious treat between the grand meals of the festival. Sandesh  Ingredients Paneer, sugar, and cardamom.  Recipe Sandesh is a classic Bengali sweet, essential during Durga Puja. Blend paneer with sugar and cardamom in the multicooker until smooth. Form into shapes and chill. This Bengali sweet exemplifies the sweet culmination of traditional Bengali dishes, adding a touch of sweetness to the festive celebrations and embodying the joy of Bengali culinary artistry.