As a kid, my mother used to feed me fox nuts – which I hated because they were tasteless. A few years ago, someone reintroduced me to them, and to my surprise, I still wasn’t a fan. I wondered why people liked them.
Thankfully, my mom had a way of getting me to eat them. She roasted the nuts, adding some spices and condiments, creating a healthy version of popcorn. Crunchy, flavorful, and the perfect tea-time snack!
Fox nuts are seeds from the lotus flower. They are cultivated in water, largely found in India, and known as “Makhana.” They are also found in Korea, Japan, and Russia, where they are referred to as “Gorgon Nuts” or Euryale Ferox.
Highly nutritious, fox nuts have been popular as a snack and are commonly used in various recipes, especially in Indian cuisine. They can be enjoyed roasted or fried and stored long-term in airtight containers. The Chinese have used them medicinally to strengthen the spleen and kidneys due to their many health benefits.
The Health Benefits Of Eating Fox Nuts
- Fox Nuts are considered nutritionally superior to dry fruits like almonds, walnuts, cashew nuts and coconut in terms of sugar, protein, ascorbic acid and phenol content
- They are rich in antioxidants, which help prevent signs of aging like white hair, wrinkles, and premature aging.
- Their high fiber content helps to avoid constipation. It helps the body flush out waste and prevents the accumulation of toxins in the body
- It is also an aphrodisiac, helping in fertility issues like premature ejaculation, increasing the quality of semen and also helps women in overcoming infertility
- These nuts are low on saturated fats and Sodium and high on Magnesium, Potassium and helps in controlling high blood pressure and diabetes as well
- Fox Nuts help in controlling palpitation and insomnia as it has calming properties
- It helps in relieving arthritis – numbness and pain in joints
- As it is has astringent properties, it also helps cure diarrhea and have a better appetite
- It strengthens the body and reduces burning sensation and quenches thirst
Here is my mother’s simple recipe to make it more tastier!
Fox nuts can be included in cereals or soups to support good health. High in protein, they make a great vegetarian snack. However, since their taste is neutral, most people don’t eat them raw. Here’s a simple recipe my mother used to make them more flavorful:
- Heat 2 teaspoon of homemade ghee in a pan
- Add salt and turmeric, stirring for few seconds. You can also add red chili, curry leaves, and mustard seeds for extra flavor.
- Add the Fox nuts and roast them for a few minutes
This snack is ideal for between meals or with tea or coffee. Fox nuts are also enjoyed as a fasting food in India, where they are regarded as sacred. Apart from snacking, you can add them to cereals, vegetable dishes, rice, or even desserts. So, what are you waiting for? Add fox nuts to your diet today!
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