Swad Ka Safarnama: Talking about dry fruits, Chilgoza is the smallest dry fruit, but it is number one in quality. For thousands of years it has been spreading its charm in India and other countries. It is considered ‘powerful’ for the body. It is an energy boosting fruit. He takes great care of the heart as well. It also controls the blood sugar of the body. It is the costliest of all the dry fruits in the world.

Nut kernel comes out of two shells

Chilgoza (Pine Nuts) is a different type of dry fruit. Its tree is a little taller than a deodar tree and a little smaller than a pine tree. Its fruits are also like this. Very harsh But it is available only in selected areas of the world. It grows in those forests across some deep and mountainous valleys, where cold and dry weather occurs together, there may be a river around such forests and strong winds pass through there. Rocky, mountain ranges should be found vertically and trees should have the habit of growing by tearing rocks. There its tree becomes evergreen. In India it is found in the Kinnaur Valley of Himachal Pradesh. The fruits of Deodar or Chir tree are useful for burning, but chilgoza is produced inside its fruit itself. Another shell is mounted on it, when it is broken, the nut kernel comes out, which is very tasty, creamy and sweet. In Himachal, the tradition of welcoming the guests coming during marriages with the garlands of this chilgoza continues even today.

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This dry fruit is present in the world for 10 thousand years

Chilgoza is found only in certain areas of some countries. It is believed that it is present in this world for about 10 thousand years. There are many types of it too but the properties are more or less the same. It has a similar variety in India, Pakistan (Waziristan), Afghanistan. In China it is of white colour. In Siberia, there is a different flavor of chilgoza. There are several species of it in North America. But only three are considered edible pies. According to the Encyclopaedia Britannica, the nut has been prized for its superior flavor since prehistoric times.

It was preferred by the ancient Greeks and Romans in the ancient era. Trees like this grow all over the world, but only a few are edible. That’s why its cost is more than other dry fruits. Roman natural philosopher, scientist and historian Pliny the Elder (1st century), who wrote an encyclopedia named ‘Naturalis Historia’, has informed that pine nuts are also preserved with honey. The Greeks used to stuff pine nuts inside the grapes, while the Chinese used to make sweets out of it.

Origin, properties, nutritional elements and taste made it special

Its nutritional elements, properties, taste and origin at specific places have put Chilgoza in the line of special dryfruits. This is the reason why chilgoza is the most expensive of all the dry fruits in the world. According to Satyendra Singh Chauhan, owner of Gopal Singh & Sons dry fruits shop located in Khari Baoli, the biggest dry fruits and grocery market in Old Delhi, the price of chilgoza in the wholesale market ranges from Rs 3600 to Rs 3800 per kg, which is more than any other dry fruits. Its price is more in retail and it becomes more expensive on the occasion of Diwali.

Salted pistachios are less expensive than this, but their price is Rs 1100 per kg. The best selling almonds and cashews are available for less than 1000 rupees per kg. According to Chauhan, in fact, Chilgoza is the hottest dry fruit. Talking about its nutritional elements, according to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), 1 ounce (28 grams) of chilgoza has calories 191, fat 19 grams, carbohydrate 3.7 grams, fiber: 1.1 grams, sugar 1 gram, protein 3.9 grams, sodium 0.6 Mg, Magnesium 71 mg, Zinc 1.8 mg, Iron 1.6 mg, Manganese 2.5 mg, Vitamin E 2.6 mg, Vitamin K is also found. It does not contain cholesterol at all.

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Good combination of nutrients keeps the body healthy

According to food expert and nutrition consultant Nilanjana Singh, Chilgoza dryfruit is really very special. It contains certain fatty acids that can help reduce appetite. Chilgoza has a good combination of nutrients, which increases energy. Other important minerals like magnesium and protein present in it help in preventing heart attacks and diabetes. The fat, iron and protein present in it can help increase energy levels and keep fatigue at bay. By the way, dry fruits are generally considered good for the heart, which reduce the risk of heart attack. Vitamins E and K, magnesium, and manganese present in it make a special combination to prevent heart disease. It also helps in reducing the level of bad cholesterol (LDL).

According to Nilanjana Singh, it has been reported that type-2 diabetic patients, who used to eat chilgoza every day, have seen improvement in glucose control and reduction in bad cholesterol levels. The iron present in it keeps the brain healthy. It also maintains the immune system of the body. Pine nuts are rich in lutein, which is an antioxidant, which is also known as eye vitamin. Its oil is famous for massage therapy because of its healing properties. It helps in reducing many skin problems like itching, psoriasis, pimples, eczema and wounds. Since it is considered very hot, it should be avoided in excessive consumption. In summer, the consumption of Chilgoza should be avoided.

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