Raw Nendran banana: Kerala’s traditional first spoon
One of the oldest weaning foods of the region — simple, filling and naturally wholesome.
In Kerala, raw (green) Nendran banana powder has been a first food for generations. Bananas are dried and milled into a fine flour that cooks into a smooth, energy-giving porridge — a preparation many grandmothers still make from memory.
Why Nendran
The Nendran is a large, starchy plantain variety native to Kerala. Used raw, it is naturally filling and mild. As with all our cereals, ours is a single ingredient: 100% raw Nendran banana, nothing added.
Preparing it well
- Whisk two tablespoons into water until smooth and lump-free.
- Cook on a low flame for about 5–6 minutes, stirring — banana porridge needs a little longer than grain porridges.
- Cool to a safe temperature, checking on the inside of your wrist, before serving.
Within the first year
Prepare with water or expressed breast milk / formula — not cow’s milk — in the first twelve months, in line with ICMR–NIN guidance. Traditional foods carry real wisdom; pairing them with today’s safe-feeding advice gives your baby the best of both.
A note on our guidance. Breastfeeding is best for babies. WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months and continued breastfeeding, alongside safe complementary foods, up to 2 years and beyond. This article is general educational information in line with the Infant Milk Substitutes, Feeding Bottles and Infant Foods Act, 1992 (IMS Act) and is not a substitute for advice from your pediatrician.
- •ICMR–National Institute of Nutrition. Dietary Guidelines for Indians (2024).
- •WHO/UNICEF. Global Strategy for Infant and Young Child Feeding (2003).
General educational information, published in line with the IMS Act, 1992 and FSSAI regulations. Not a substitute for advice from your pediatrician.