Scientists have yet to find out what plant produces Ram Kand Mool, a drum-shaped tuber that has been offered as a substantial snack on Indian street corners for at least several decades.
After attempting to discover the origins of the virtually paper-thin delicacies carved out of large reddish tubers by street vendors in the 1980s, Indian botanists were interested in ram kand mool. None of them were willing to divulge the source of the substance, and those who did provided contradictory responses. Some said it was a root, while others claimed it was a plant stem, but the majority either refused to respond or claimed they purchased the tubers from other parties.
I had no idea who the source was. Even worse, science was unable to offer a definitive response to the botanists' questions.
A significant element of the firm is keeping the source of ram kand mool a mystery. Forest officials in Maharashtra have attempted to spy on dealers to no effect; buying the tubers in quantity is never approved, and providing any true information or contact information about the tuber's source is deemed forbidden.
"Ask everything but this." Nobody will say anything to you. When Bartha Kumari enquired about his ram kand mool source, one dealer informed her, "This is how this company works."