WALNUTSWalnuts are rounded, single-seeded stone fruits of the walnut tree commonly used for the meat after fully ripening. Following full ripening, the removal of the husk reveals the wrinkly walnut shell, which is usually commercially found in two segments (three-segment shells can also form). During the ripening process, the husk will become brittle and the shell hard. The shell encloses the kernel or meat, which is usually made up of two halves separated by a partition. The seed kernels – commonly available as shelled walnuts – are enclosed in a brown seed coat which contains antioxidants. The antioxidants protect the oil-rich seed from atmospheric oxygen, thereby preventing rancidity.
Walnuts without shells are 4% water, 15% protein, 65% fat, and 14% carbohydrates, including 7% dietary fiber. In a 100-gram reference serving, walnuts provide 2,740 kilojoules (654 kcal) and rich content (20% or more of the Daily Value or DV) of several dietary minerals, particularly manganese at 163% DV, and B vitamins.
Walnuts are an exceptionally nutritious nut. They have higher antioxidant activity and significantly more healthy omega-3 fats than any other common nut.
SAFFRONSaffron is a spice derived from the flower of Crocus sativus, commonly known as the "saffron crocus". The vivid crimson stigmata and styles, called threads, are collected and dried to be used mainly as a seasoning and colouring agent in food. Saffron has long been the world's most costly spice by weight.
Kashmiri saffron is valued all over the world for its fine quality and a large part of the saffron produced in Kashmir is exported to various countries. The ideal environment for cultivation of saffron is cool dry climate and rich soil with excellent drainage and organic content, and Kashmiri land is famous for all these rich qualities. There are three grades of saffron available in Indian market and they are known as Saffron Lachha, saffron Mongra and saffron Zarda. Saffron is not grown on any of the other fertile alluvial plateaus of Kashmir, and the people of Pampore are fond of saying there is a certain magical element in the soil of Pampore which helps the flowers to bloom and the stigmas to be imbued with aroma.
The stigmas of saffron cultivated in Kashmir are extremely long and with a thicker head. They are also of a deep red color. The size of the stigmas indicates the inherent suitability of the soil and climate for this product. The saffron that we supply to all consumers and traders is Kashmiri saffron which is the world’s best saffron known for its exotic aroma and flavor in culinary preparations around the globe. Kashmiri saffron has an extremely dark maroonish-purple hue, which suggests the saffron’s mind blowing flavor, aroma and coloring power.
ALMONDS KERNELSThe almond is also the name of the edible and widely cultivated seed of this tree. The fruit of the almond is a drupe, consisting of an outer hull and a hard shell with the seed, which is not a true nut, inside. Shelling almonds refers to removing the shell to reveal the seed. Almonds are sold shelled or unshelled.
Blanched almonds are shelled almonds that have been treated with hot water to soften the seedcoat, which is then removed to reveal the white embryo. They also contain phytochemicals, which may help protect against cardiovascular disease and cancer, specifically prostate and cervical cancers.
CASHEW NUTSThe cashew tree (Anacardium occidentale) is a tropical evergreen tree that produces the cashew seed and the cashew apple.
The cashew seed, often simply called a cashew, is widely consumed. It is eaten on its own, used in recipes, or processed into cashew cheese or cashew butter. The shell of the cashew seed yields derivatives that can be used in many applications including lubricants, waterproofing, paints, and arms production. The cashew apple is a light reddish to yellow fruit, whose pulp can be processed into a sweet, astringent fruit drink or distilled into liquor.
PISTA PLAINThe pistachio, a member of the cashew family, is a small tree originating from Central Asia and the Middle East. The tree produces seeds that are widely consumed as food. Pistacia vera often is confused with other species in the genus Pistacia that are also known as Pistachio. Pistachios are a great source of healthy fats, fiber, protein, antioxidants and various nutrients, including vitamin B6 and potassium.
PISTA ROASTED & SALTED
WET AND DRY APRICOTAn apricot is a fruit, or the tree that bears the fruit, of several species in the genus Prunus (stone fruits). Apricots are small, golden orange fruits, with velvety skin and flesh, not too juicy but definitely smooth and sweet.
RAISINS – INDIAN (KISHMISS)Raisins are dried grapes, specifically dried white-fleshed grapes. These grapes are initially green in skin color and darken as they dry, becoming a dense, dark-colored dried fruit containing small seeds and bursting with sweet flavour. Raisins, sultanas, and currants are small, sweet dried fruits that are used in many of the same ways, but they have their own unique traits.
While all three are types of dried fruit and used in similar ways, there are several things that set raisins, sultanas, and dried currants (both true currants and Zante currants) apart from each other.
Raisins, Sultanas and Zante currants are all sweet dried fruits that stem from different varieties of vine-grown grapes, while currants really are a fresh bush-grown berry that is tart rather than sweet. Currants are also sold dried, but they’re not as readily available as sultanas and raisins.
DRY FIGS (ANJEER)Figs can be eaten either fresh or dry and has a sweet taste and variety of health benefits that it provides. Though in India fresh Figs are not easily available but can be found in the form of dry fruits popularly known as Anjeer. The high amount of calcium, iron and potassium present in it along with the high amount of fiber and low fat makes it a healthy food to include in your diet which can be eaten alone or mixed in yogurt, salad and toppings on cereals and oatmeal.
WET DATESPhoenix dactylifera, commonly known as date or date palm, is a flowering plant species in the palm family, Arecaceae, cultivated for its edible sweet fruit. Dates have been a staple food of the Middle East. Dates are naturally wind pollinated, but in both traditional oasis horticulture and in the modern commercial orchards they are entirely pollinated manually.
Dates are an important traditional crop in Iraq, Iran, Arabia. Date palms can take 4 to 8 years after planting before they will bear fruit, and start producing viable yields for commercial harvest between 7 and 10 years.
DRY DATES - BLACKPhoenix dactylifera, commonly known as date or date palm, is a flowering plant species in the palm family, Arecaceae, cultivated for its edible sweet fruit. Dates are naturally wind pollinated.
Date palms can take 4 to 8 years after planting before they will bear fruit, and start producing viable yields for commercial harvest between 7 and 10 years.
DRIED BLACK CURRANTDried black currants are a powerhouse of nutrition, offering dietary fiber as well as vitamins and minerals. Prepared from the small, berry-like fruit native to Europe, dried black currents are often used as a substitute for raisins, dates or prunes in baked good.
PEANUTS – ROASTED & SALTEDsodium chloride a.k.a. salt) on the peanuts inside the shell. After about 20 minutes in the dryer, the peanuts are dry roasted to add that toasty flavor we all associate with peanuts, which takes about another 25 minutes. In all, it takes just about an hour to complete this entire in-shell peanut-salting process.