Superfoods in India

Writing a post about super foods in India is like talking in the native tongue...there are 22 official languages and almost 400 living languages!  But there are certain foods that are becoming more readily available and are not cost prohibitive that are worthy of special mention.

A superfood has to be nutrient dense, readily (seasonably)  available, cleanly produced and singular...not a combination food...so it can be eaten on its own, on the run, or added to other foods to create a healthier choice.

I love the idea of super foods and I know Ayurvedic principals have hundreds of ancient and nature available foods and food combinations that sit within the western understanding of super foods.

For BREAKFAST right now one cannot go past a Spray Free Alphonso Mango.  Finding Organic in India, truly organic, is not easy, but there are many farmers and co-operatives that manage chemical free orchards so at least choose Spray Free.  Mango's originated in the sub Himalayan plains so I think we can claim that one as a local Super Food!

Bought 12 for 250INR this morning, app 40US cents each!

If you are out and about or have a friendly Coconut Walla deliver to your door then another superb choice is a fresh young coconut water and the flesh...(or in local parlance eck green pani please). No need to reference the benefits of tender young coconuts in your daily routine...a quick search on Google references 21 million results.

Other wonderful choices include Mulberries, they seem to get smaller and sweeter as the season progresses AND their season is considerably longer than that of the mango. Other readily available extra nutritious foods to consider in your breakfast mix include Cinnamon and Vanilla (from Kerala in Southern india) and Pomegranate.  

For LUNCH try Himalayan Soy Beans. Pure, unadulterated, high in protein and gluten free. Squeeze some lime juice over them and enjoy with a side salad.  When you soak the beans, prior to cooking, consider adding some Apple Cider Vinegar to the water.  It really does help with the digestion of all pulses post cooking.  Add some freshly grated turmeric, fabulous anti viral and anti inflammatory...in fact anti everything! Maybe some Himalayan salt too.  

Why the fascination with the Himalaya's for your Super Foods you may well ask.  Well after spending time in the foothills of two regions of the Himalaya I saw first hand how simple farming life is.  The food is cleaner than almost anything you find here in Mumbai!

Planting the rice.  All day long.

The hand made Yolk used on the Bullocks neck to attach the plough for forming furrows for crops in the Himalaya.  

Here in Mumbai we are so lucky as we are forced to eat seasonally and there is little in the way of imported foods.  Those items that are imported are so ridiculously expensive that there is no point! This morning I saw a single tomato imported from Thailand for 650INR....approximately $13!

Some of the seasonal foods, such as Jamun, are just plain horrible...ok I know that is a personal opinion, but every year I try some as they supposed to be GREAT for digestion (mind you every fruit walla claims everything is great for digestion!) and what is not good for digestion is good for Diabetes!

My local Jamun walla.

Before dinner try an India Green tea with a couple of threads of Kashmiri Saffron.  Fabindia has a lovely organic product for 799INR for a small but plentiful container.  There is a long list of benefits to having saffron both in your food and on your skin.  With green tea you are taking in the antioxidants of a green tea alongside the pick me up qualities of Saffron.  Thought you needed a chocolate bar to keep you going till dinner time? Think again!

And then for DINNER...firstly Indian dinner is not complete without a Chappati or Roti, any kind of flat bread.  Try something different and use Amaranth flower, again a Himalayan product and likely grown in other regions of India too.  Such a versatile and health filled grain.  Gluten free and high in Calcium among other nutrients and of course protein.  

To compliment your Indian Breads think Green.  What could be better than a home cooked Palak?  Spinach or Greens lovingly cooked but without the cream that is oft added.  I know spinach did not originate in india but the Arab Traders who bought it here certainly made an impact and it was embraced as a local food. are some 19 basic Indian Palaks.  Choose a region and there will be a Palak recipe to compliment it! 

And my advice to you on the other fave super grain currently...steer clear of Indian Quinoa.  It is disgusting, bitter and unusable for human consumption.  I recently spent over a 1000INR on two packets and had to throw one away.  After trying different methods of rinsing and pre soaking the grain I have decided it is indigestible. The cost of quinoa in India right now is rivalling gold but do not be fooled in this case Imported is best!

You might have noticed, all my recommendations are Vegetarian, Gluten Free and Dairy Free.  Its my preference for health and wellbeing.  and here in India makes even more sense.

So after all of that you do not feel like cooking or are looking for the home delivery options I have two suggestions for you.

The 'bento box' at The Yoga House in Mumbai - Delicious and less than 500INR.

Or home delivered lovingly prepared Raw Pressery Juices.  More on Juice fasting in my next post!