How Did Makhana Come To Be An international Superfood?
The 2025 finances, introduced by Finance minister nirmala sitharaman, turned into special for various reasons. For a few, it became a tax remedy; for others, it turned into the point of interest on science and improvement.
However, it became extensive for bihar as well because the nation received several key initiatives.
One such announcement that stuck humans's attention turned into the point of interest on makhana - yes, the ones fox nuts which have been a staple in indian pantries for years. At some point of the finances, nirmala sitharaman declared that a "Makhana Board" would be installation in Bihar. This initiative aims to enhance manufacturing, processing, price addition, and marketing of Makhana. bihar is the largest producer of these nuts in india, contributing 80 in keeping with cent of the united states's supply, but it has struggled to capitalize on the growing international demand for this superfood.
"The board will offer hand-holding and education guides to makhana farmers and will also work to ensure they get hold of the blessings of all relevant authorities' schemes," the finance minister said.
'The black diamond'
Makhana has won recognition best in recent years. This upward push may be credited to various factors (which we're going to speak quickly), but its prominence is not just constrained to india - it has also caught attention within the West. industry gamers are promoting Makhana both in india and overseas, and they share the same story of increasing calls.
Let's look at the numbers. The facts show that india is the biggest exporter of makhana worldwide. Within the financial year 2023-2024, india exported approximately 25,130 metric tons of makhana.
The top importers? The US, Canada, and Australia, with the US being the largest purchaser.
India is the largest exporter of makhana worldwide. Image: Pexels
India today spoke to diverse snack commercial enterprise proprietors, and they all agreed that demand for this superfood is surging.
However, how did makhana end up an international superfood?
The superfood aspect
One principal purpose for makhana's growing popularity is its dietary price. Frequently referred to as a superfood, makhana is full of critical vitamins, making it a must-have on a balanced weight loss program.
In line with rajeev Pabreja, secretary of the Nuts and dry fruits Council of india (NDFCI), makhana is a notable desire for those aiming for weight reduction because of its high protein and occasional-calorie content material. "With high antioxidant and flavonoid degrees, it allows combat infection and growing older," he adds.
Beyond weight control and heart health, makhana also aids digestion. "Its high fiber content facilitates altering blood sugar and improves insulin sensitivity," says Karishmma Chawla, a practical medicinal drug nutritionist and lifestyle educator.
Deepti Khatuja, head medical nutritionist at Fortis Memorial Studies Institute, Gurgaon, highlights that foxnuts are loaded with proteins, healthful fat (omega-three), vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. "They are rich in folates, fibers, and critical minerals, which include magnesium, phosphorus, copper, iron, zinc, and nutrients B1, B2, B3, and selenium, lots of which play a vital role in strengthening the immune machine and enhancing cardiac health," she explains.
With those fitness blessings and a growing fashion of healthy snacking, makhana's recognition has skyrocketed. Every other cause behind its global attraction is the efforts of indian marketers and types promoting it as a more healthy opportunity to standard snacks.
Aashutosh Aggarwal, leader commercial officer of Snackpure, a emblem promoting makhana and other nuts, tells india nowadays, "diverse health and lifestyle influencers have advocated the dietary blessings of makhana. Lately, makhana received widespread media attention after Nikhil Kamath, co-founding father of Zerodha, emphasised its potential as a superfood."
'We would like to assume we performed a small function in it.'
Aditya sameer Kaji and Aarti Kaji, Harvard graduates, founded Taali Meals in 2018 in the US as a healthy snacking emblem. These days, Taali offers diverse snack options, with makhana being one in every of its top dealers abroad. The idea for the enterprise stemmed from their personal reports - packing huge portions of makhana on every occasion they traveled from india to university.
Taali turned into born as a way to introduce a healthy snack option to Western consumers. "We introduced makhana in flavors like Sriracha and Cheddar cheese in order that people would be recommended to strive it. As opposed to simply targeting indian stores within the US, we located our products in mainstream supermarkets like Whole Foods. We additionally rebranded it as 'water lily pops' rather than makhana," Aarti informed india these days, explaining their marketing approach.
Makhana is gaining recognition as a terrific food. Photograph: Getty pics
These days, Taali exports to diverse countries, assisting to in pushing makhana beyond the nri market and into the mainstream Western snack enterprise. When asked why they assume the West is obsessed with makhana, Aditya smiled and stated, "We would want to think we [Indian snack brands in the West] performed a small role in it." He's not wrong. Numerous brands, like Taali, Farmley, and others, are capitalizing on the healthful snacking movement, marketing makhana in flavors suited to Western palates. This has endorsed no longer simply nris but also Western clients to try it.
Aman Gupta, head of advertising at Farmley, a dry fruits and nuts business selling each in india and abroad, describes fox nuts as a nutritional powerhouse. "As india embraces a healthy snacking revolution, makhana sticks out as a healthy, home-grown superfood that aligns with modern dietary needs," Aman says.
Playstation: Bohana is another brand that sells popped water lily seeds and even made it to the USA Shark Tank in 2020!
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