Idiyappam (Tamil: இடியாப்ப‌ம்; Malayalam: ഇടിയപ്പം; Sinhalese: ඉඳි ආප්ප Indi Appa), also known as Semige or Semé da Addae in Tulu, Shavige (Kannada: ಶಾವಿಗೆ), Nooputt or Noolputtu (Kodava: ನೋಲ್ ಪೂಟ್ಟ್), "Irmandappa" in Beary, Putumayam (in Malay), and string hoppers in English, is a traditional Sri Lankan and South Indian food consisting of rice flour pressed into noodle form and then steamed.

History

"The Story of our Food", a book written by K. T. Achaya, an eminent Indian food scientist and food historian, states that Idiyappam and Appam were already known in India around 1st century AD, as per references in the Sangam literature.

Distribution

Idiyappam is culinary specialty in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Sri Lanka and southern areas of Karnataka (especially in the districts of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Kodagu, Chickmagalur, Hassan, shivamogga). It is also a culinary staple in Sri Lanka. The name idiyappam derives from the Tamil/Malayalam words idi, meaning 'broken down', and appam, meaning "pancake". Pronounced as e-di- ap-pam The dish is also, frequently, called noolappam or noolputtu from the Malayalam/Tamil/Kannada/Kodava word nool, meaning "string or thread", especially in Kodagu. In coastal areas of Karnataka like Mangalore and Udupi it is also termed semige or semé da addae in Tulu, it is eaten with Tuluva chicken and fish curries called Gassi, and also a coconut milk dish called Rasayana. It is common in Malaysia, where it is called putumayam.

Method of preparation

 

It is made of rice flour or ragi flour (Finger millet flour), salt and water. It is generally served as the main course at breakfast or dinner together with a curry (potato, egg, fish or meat curry) and coconut chutney. It is served with coconut milk and sugar in the Malabar region of Kerala. It is not usually served at lunch. In other parts of Kerala, Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu, it is mostly eaten with spicy curries. Using wheat flour in its preparation gives it a brownish hue.

Mix rice flour with hot water, optionally add ghee, season with salt. Knead into a smooth dough. Fill an 'idiyappam' press or a sieve with the dough and press the noodles onto banana leaves or directly into an idli steamer. Add a little grated coconut if desired. Steam for 5–10 minutes. The idiyappam is served with coconut gratings and coconut milk.