All About Makhana
The Superfood You Can Trust
Makhana, also known as fox nuts or lily flower seeds, also called as Black Diamond, are the edible seeds of the Euryale ferox plant, which is a type of water lily. Primarily grown in India, particularly in Bihar, they are a popular snack and ingredient in Indian cuisine and are gaining global recognition as a superfood and used as the best option of breakfast and healthy snacks.
Makhana is known for its very high nutritional value, including being a very high source of protein, fiber, minerals and antioxidants.
It is declared as top 10 superfood in the international market and is also known as “The Food Of God” in Asian Sub-continent. Its international demands increased tremendously many folds after covid.
ABOUT MAKHANA
- Makhana is a popped lily’s seed, making it a crunchy and puffy and super healthy snack.
- It's a non-cereal, gluten-free food, very rich in healthy nutrients.
- India is the world's largest producer, with the state of Bihar alone contributing 90% of global production of makhana.
NUTRITIONAL VALUE
- Makhana is packed with very high protein, fibers, and antioxidants.
- It also contains essential minerals like magnesium, potassium, calcium, iron, & phosphorus.
- The low glycemic index of makhana makes it a good option for managing blood sugar levels.
HEALTH BENEFITS
- Heart Health : High antioxidants and minerals in makhana help manage cholesterol levels and promote better blood circulation.
- Cellular Health : Its high protein helps our cells to nourish for better growth and nurture all our tissues and organs.
- Digestion : The fiber content aids in digestion and promotes gut health.
- Weight Management : Makhana is a low fat, low-calorie (almost zero calorie) snack option, making it suitable for weight management.
- Bone Health : High calcium in makhana helps and supports bone and muscular health.
- Antioxidant Properties : Flavonoids, polyphenols, and alkaloids in makhana help fight oxidative stress and inflammation.
- Immunity : The zinc and magnesium help to build and enhance the immune power.
ITS FARMING AND HARVESTING
A unique aquatic crop grown in ponds and fields, harvested by skilled fishermen, and processed into light, crunchy pops.
-
2
Stage 1: Cultivation
Makhana is grown in marshy wetlands, ponds, and lakes. The makhana seeds (called gurri in local language) grows inside the lily flowers and when the flower fully grown, it burst out and the makhana seed inside it thrown out and get into the base level of lake, ponds and mix with the muds. The time of cultivation starts from March onwards.
-
2
Stage 2: Harvesting
When the seeds go down and mixed with the mud, then it extracted and then separated from the mud by manual cleaning process and sorting process. The harvesting starts from Mid-July. The color of the seed is greying black. This process is again done manually with skilled labours.
-
3
Stage 3: Drying
The harvested seeds are dried, often under the sun for 3-4 days, to remove excess moisture.
-
4
Stage 4: Grading/Sorting
After sun drying, the seeds are sorted and graded into different sizes manually by the use of different filters before roasting.
-
5
Stage 5: Roasting and Popping
The dried seeds are roasted at high temperatures with varying levels of heat. After roasting, the popping process begins, causing them to open from their black shell like popcorn. All these steps are still carried out manually.
-
6
Stage 6: Final Touches
The popped seeds are cleaned to remove impurities, then sorted and graded again manually to separate different sizes. After final cleaning, the seeds are packed for sale.
-
7
Stage 7: Packing
Normally packing is done in 10kg/8kg PP bags. We also offer customized packaging in 100 or 200 g stand-up pouches, either fully printed or with stickers. Pouches may include a zipper or not, depending on requirements.