DRY FRUITS IN KASHMIR

Kashmir is known for its spices and quality dry fruit.. A wide variety of fruits are grown in Kashmir like Walnut, Apple, Cherry, Pears, Apricot, Almond etc. These fruits when Dried are available throughout season and can be commonly found in the markets of Kashmir

Dry fruits are such items which are generally liked by everyone. The crisp and crunchy taste of dry fruits is surely one of the most loved titbits. Kashmir offers an extensive range of dry fruits out of which Almond, Walnut, Cashews, Hazelnuts and Figs are most popular ones. 

1.Almonds in Kashmir

Almonds are the first to be bloomed in Kashmir on the arrival of spring. With the colour of flowers ranging from white to pale Pink all around gives the feeling of a princess whose wedding is on and she has to pass through the lanes now. Almonds are named as the king of the dried fruits. Almonds are highly beneficial with high nutrition levels, efficient for health building. Almonds serve as a remedy for many common ailments. 

Almonds in Kashmir are either Hard-shelled or Kagzi Badam(soft-shelled). Hard-shelled Badam is termed as Mamra,soft-shelled as Kagzi Badam.

A.Kagzi Badam (soft-shelled):Kagzi Is The Urdu Word Meaning Paper. This type of Badam have Paper Shell Which can Easily Be Breakable and Kagzi badam are Usually available in Kashmir and Iran.Size Of Kashmiri Kagzi Badam is usually Small in Size and the size Of Almond varies From Tree to tree. Kashmiri Kagzi Almonds are also area Dependent. Some Areas Give Long Size Kashmiri Kagzi almonds and Provide small Size.

Kashmir Mamra:Kashmiri mamra is special in its own way. Kashmiri mamra is much better than their Irani counterparts. Unlike Irani mamra, Kashmiri mamra has no specific size and shape. Every tree has its own unique colour and shape. Even the taste varies from tree to tree. They are an excellent source of vitamin E, magnesium and riboflavin, as well as have a rich fibre content.

Afghani Mamra Badam:Mamra has a rich content of oil and they are grown organically. Afghanistan is one of the major producers of mamra followed by Iran. Since mamra is grown for about 3%-4% of the world supply which is why they are expensive in terms of cost but super healthy. Mamra Almonds Are Rich Source Of Proteins, Minerals & Vitamins. It Prevents Coronary Artery Disease & Strokes By Favouring Healthy Blood Lipid Profile.

Natural Almond Kernels:Almond kernels are collected by extracting the fruit’s envelopes inside the shell, light-brown, thin skin around the kernel. Adding Almond nuts to your diet is a great way to build on brain health.These kernels are similar in shape and size which makes them delicious in taste. Kashmiri almonds has been a folk remedy for sharpening and upgrading brain power for centuries. They have been used in Ayurvedic preparations as a tonic and memory foster. 

Almonds available as Shelled, Unshelled or Blanched have their outer hull removed, Not removed and the seed coats removed respectively.The first to bloom tree at the arrival of Spring bears white-purplishish flowers and is ready to give its fruit by early August. The inner shell is exposed as the hulls split and dry.For every Almond, nearly 1-gallon water is taken.

If you are to sow this tree, do it in the month of November so that they can have a balanced temperature of not developing a frost. And later the Blooming begins in March

Hard Shelled Almonds: Well,  Hard almonds have Hard Covered, outer coat that is coloured Yellow and termed as the hull. Inside this hull resides a woody hard shell, when You broke these Shell You will Almond which Is Known as Almonds Kernels which are very High Quality and tasty as well.Out in the market and stores where dried fruits are available, you will mostly come to hear about three terms; Shelled, Unshelled and Blanched Almonds.

Size and Taste Is like medium From 1 Cm to 3 Cm.These almonds Comes With A Special and only One Type Of Almonds. These Almond kernels are sweet In nature.You Can Use Hammer For to break and which Is Often To make Kernels.

2.Walnut In Kashmir

Walnuts – known as Akhrout locally in India and Kashmir being the major producer of the nut calls it “DOEN” (singular-DOON). About 2.98 tons of walnuts are cultivated per hectare in Kashmir. The export rate is so high (98%) making it the supreme exporter state.

The walnuts of Kashmir are widely known for their superior taste and quality, and are demanded worldwide. The plantation of walnut is done by seedling and with a very little effort bestows plentiful nuts. The advantage of the nut of walnut is that it has long self life.

In Kashmir, walnut trees are abundantly grown in Kupwara and Shopian region. Previously Shopian was the largest walnut growing region in Kashmir and but now Kupwara has overtaken Shopian and acclaimed as the largest Walnut producing area. Walnut in the form of fruit and wood are highly in demand and Kashmir is the prime exporter of walnuts in India.

Types Of Walnut In Kashmir

The removal of walnut shells and extracting the kernel inside it is called as the UnShelled walnut Or Walnut kernels. These Walnut Kernels are Stored under the temperature of 25-degree Celsius and checked for if any microbes are developed.Shelled Walnuts Or Walnuts With Shell take more space for packaging and makes it expensive then shelled.

A.Snow white walnut Kernel(Walnut Without Shell):Snow white walnut Kernel are top Most and Highly Hygienic Type Of Walnut Kernel which Has Good Taste, Colour and Zero added  Impurity. They are Clean Like snow Having Yellow in Colour while as Normal Walnuts Are Mixed in Colour Yellow and Brown.These Walnuts require Very Hard work and more Labour Work Than Any other walnut Kernel which Is Present in The market. This Type Of Walnut kernel Is rarely Available In the Markets Of India.

Walnuts contain 4% water, 15% protein, 65% fat and 14% of carbohydrates among which 7% is the dietary fibre. A 100 gm serving of walnuts contains 654 kcal and more than 19% of the daily dietary minerals value.

B.Walnuts With Shell:these nuts are grown organically without the use of any harsh chemicals or synthetic fertilizers.These Walnuts are widely known for their superior taste and quality. The advantage of the nut of walnut is that it has a long shelf life. Being organic in nature as no fertilizers or sprays are used on walnut plants and its yield, are high in nutrients with immense health benefits. The delicate taste, flavor and aroma are indeed unique and delicious. This is why this fruit fetches high demand within the country as well as from rest of the world.

Some of the health benefits of Kashmiri Walnuts:

Rich in Antioxidants,Super Plant source of Omega-3s,decrease inflammation, reduce risk of some Cancers,Supports weight control,help lower blood pressure,Supports healthy aging,Supports good brain function.

3.Hazelnuts

Hazelnut, also called filbert or cobnut, is one of the oldest agricultural crops. Believed to have originated in Asia,it is today primarily grown in Spain, US, Italy, and Turkey. It grows within a fuzzy outer husk, which opens as the fruit ripens to reveal a shell with the edible kernel covered by a thin, dark brown skin.These nuts are found in various districts of kashmir in large quantities.

Generally, this dry fruit is used to prepare several delicacies such as chocolate truffles and nutella.Rich in dietary fibre, vitamin E, magnesium, heart-healthy B vitamins, unsaturated fats (mostly oleic acid) & calcium,Good for the heart, reduces risk of cancer, and aids muscle, skin, bone, & digestive health.

4.Figs (Angeer)

If there was a monarchy in dried fruits, Dried Figs would have ruled forever. Loaded with nutrients, figs come in different colours of green, yellow, and purple. Kashmiri Figs are majorly green and purple with excellent taste and health value. Drying out gives figs the elegant copper-brown colour which is in it, an attraction for the eyes. The benefits of figs being limited due to their seasonal nature are now cherished throughout the year in the dried form. The figs are exotic in taste, but dried figs are, simply Divine

Health Benefits:

1. Dried figs help in maintaining a healthy rate of blood pressure level.

2. If you are trying to lose some weight, then dried figs are your natural fibre, beneficial for your weight management program.

3. For women, dried figs are magic spells which may help prevent breast cancer, menopause and other health issues they tend to face.

4. Consuming dried figs on a regular diet basis helps in maintaining healthy and smooth skin; curing all the acne, blackheads, whiteheads, aging affects and even scars.

4.Cashews (Kaju)

Cashew nuts known to Indian region as “Kaju” have a pleasant nutty taste that makes it a perfect ingredient in a selection of meals including stir-fries, pastas, granolas, fruit salads, curries, and chicken recipes.Many people eat cashes on regular basis without understanding its origin.Akbari kaju is believed to be from Kashmir.5-6 piece of cashews must be included in the diet daily. Cashews can be eaten simply raw and natural and can also be roasted or added into delicacies. Cashews are multipurpose, versatile nut used in sweets, bakeries, pulao and thousands of other recipes, giving their own nutty, creamy taste.

Health Benefits:

1.Cashews have many cancer fighting properties.

2.Cashews lower the blood pressure with the help of magnesium present in them.

3.lowers the risk of developing gallstones.

4.Helps bone formation and also helps to prevent osteoporosis.

5.Apricot (Khumani)

Kashmiri apricots are small, golden orange fruits, with velvety skin and flesh: not too juicy but definitely smooth and sweet. Their flavor is almost musky, with a faint tartness that is more pronounced when the fruit is dried.The dried apricot is obtained by dehydrating the fruit by natural means to enrich the flavour without reducing any of its nutritive content. Dried apricots contain Calcium, Potassium, Phosphorus, Vitamin A, Iron, and Vitamin C.The drupe apricot is similar to the fruit of peach. Its surface has short velvety hair, with its tincture ranging from yellow to orange & Red.This is worth mentioning here that Ladakh is one of the major producer of apricot in India,

Health Benefits

1.Good source of fibre and minerals

2.Boosts vision and haemoglobin levels

3.Dietary fibre improves digestion, helping to increase metabolism.

4. It breaks down fatty acids fast

5.Apricot reduces the bad cholesterol

A.Red Apricot (Khumani)

Red apricots are a new variety of apricots developed from scientific methods. The colour of the fruit is purplish-red with yellowish flesh present also. Juicy and fleshy fruit to eat is a source of many benefits. Deliciously cotton ish, sweet and sour in taste, they are apricots pollinated by plums. These red apricots are used with every type of cuisine. Salads, sandwiches, chicken, meat, mushrooms, etc. 

B.Yellow Apricot

The drupe apricot is similar to the fruit of peach. Its surface has short velvety hair, with its tincture ranging from yellow to orange. For the maturation of Apricots, dry climate is required.At the centre is a seed, that has a woody endocarp surrounded around it, lying inside a less juicy flesh. Although people in Kashmir consume its seed, yet one must not. It is because it is not counted as an edible part by knowledgeable people. In fact, some of its types may be poisonous to be eaten as it contains amygdalin from which cynic acid may be extracted.

C.White Apricots

White apricots are the smaller stone fruits a little elongated in length but round in shape. Flesh is extremely juicy when eaten fresh. Creamy in appearance. Color varies from being pale to yellowish. Flavour Wise it is sweet. Taking a bite from one you will feel a sudden sugar rush and the after taste feels  somewhat tangy. They have a minutely red blush in  their texture. 

However, the fruit is mostly consumed in dried form mostly. This gives it a somewhat faded and dehydrated look. The drying leaves the fruit nutrient dense and extremely beneficial for consumption.  Available in late spring and earlier summer, these are known to be one of the original varieties of apricots. These are available in many forms other than fresh and dried. We can have white apricots pureed, jammed, baked, sugared, roasted and grilled as well. 

6.Raisins (Kishmish)

A raisin is a dried grape. Raisins are produced in many regions of the world and may be eaten or used in cooking, baking and brewing.Raisin means “grape”, while a dried grape is referred to as a raisin..Raisins are produced commercially by drying harvested grape berries. In order for a grape berry to dry, water inside the grape must be removed completely from the interior of the cell onto the surface of the grape where the water droplets can evaporate.

Health Benefits

1.Half a cup of the Kishmish daily serves you an amount of 1.3 mg of iron

2.The amount of fructose and glucose present in raisins make it an excellent source of energy. 

3.They also help in weight gain without accumulating cholesterol.

4.Enriched with antioxidants, Raisins help in fighting aging issues, heart diseases, strokes, and even cancers

7.Prunes

Prunes are actually the dried version of plums and are also known as dried plums.In India the prunes is known as Alu bukhara in hindi. Sweet with a deep taste and a sticky chewy texture.Prunes are not only fun to eat but they are also highly nutritious. As with other dried fruits,they are available year round.Prunes are used in cooking both sweet and savory dishes.Stewed prunes,a compote,are a desert.

Health Benefits

1.Prunes can help soften stool and increase stool frequency. Many parents give prune juice or prunes to their kids who are generally constipated.

2.Prunes are good source of vitamin A,dietary fibre,potassium and copper.

3.Prunes help in good digestion.

8.Cranberries

Cranberries are obtained from the evergreen shrubs that are dwarf in nature. Found in the cooler regions of the northern hemisphere this berry is sweet in taste.these round red berries are processed for making Jams, Juices, Sauces. In Fact, in Places’ like Kashmir, Cranberries are dried- maybe sweetened and used just as raisins are. It is served to the Grooms’ procession along with nuts, figs, apricots, and juices too.

Health Benefits

1.Cranberries help in the detoxification process that promises you a glowing skin.

2.Helps to decrease Body temperature

3.Treats urinary tract infections

4.Helps kidney and bladder problems