Pine Nuts/Chilgoza (nyoje) - with shell

The Chilgoza or the pine nut is the edible seed of the Chilgoza pine, which belongs to the Pinaceae family, mainly distributed in the natural regions of only 2 parts of the world Afghanistan and India.

In India, it grows in the Tribal forest of Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh. In Kinnaur, most of the Chilgoza forests are owned and managed by villagers, while a small percentage of chilgoza forests are owned by individual families.

Kinnaur is known for its rich soil. These nuts are carefully hand-picked by skilled harvesters, ensuring that only the finest quality nuts are selected for our customers.

Pine nuts are a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes. These nuts are small in size, but pack a big punch when it comes to flavour. They have a rich, buttery taste that is perfect for adding a gourmet touch to any dish. Whether you're adding them to a salad or using them to make a pesto sauce, these pine nuts are sure to add a delicious touch to your cooking.

In addition to their taste, pine nuts are also a nutritious snack. They are a good source of healthy fats, protein, and various vitamins and minerals. They can be eaten on their own as a snack or incorporated into your meals to boost their nutritional value.

Nutritional Benefits Of Chilgoza

Chilgoza Is A Good Source Of Essential Fatty Acids

Nuts are believed to be a great source of fats, chilgoza pine nuts contain close to 90% of healthy unsaturated fatty acids of which 51% is linoleic acid and 37% is oleic acid. This composition of healthy fats in chilgoza plays a vital role in guarding the heart, preventing the onset of heart-related ailments, and thereby promoting a healthy heart. The right proportion of saturated fat in chilgoza includes palmitic, stearic, lignoceric, arachidic, myristic, and benzoic acid facilitated in lowering total cholesterol levels and improving the lipid profile.

The long-chain fatty acids in chilgoza nuts stimulate the release of a hormone called CCK-8, a satiety hormone that offers a feeling of fullness and curbs appetite. Thus, chilgoza nuts are an ideal snack for all weight watchers that help in losing weight.

Power-Packed With Protein

Chilgoza pine nuts are a great source of plant protein and the right choice of nuts to be added to a vegetarian’s diet plan. A well-balanced proportion of essential amino acids in chilgoza nuts makes it an abundant source of protein. Lysine an essential amino acid present in chilgoza is minimal in all cereals, thus chilgoza nuts added to all cereal-based flour are beneficial in enriching the nutrient value of cereals. In addition, the protein isolates present in chilgoza assists in lowering blood pressure.

Powerhouse Of Antioxidants

Chilgoza comes with a myriad of potent antioxidants which include gallocatechin, catechin, lutein, lycopene, carotenoids, and tocopherols. The strong antioxidant properties in chilgoza nuts are beneficial in scavenging free radical damage of cells and combat oxidative stress. In addition, chilgoza nuts help in lowering inflammation triggering immunity and preventing the onset of chronic diseases.

Source Of Energy

Chilgoza is a great source of energy as compared to almonds, cashews, pistachios, and peanuts thus providing an instant source of energy that keeps you satiated and curbs the hunger pangs. These nuts can be an ideal addition for patients who need energy-dense diets and for undernourished children who want to gain healthy weight.

Fights Viral Attacks

The presence of polysaccharides in Chilgoza pine nut fights against viruses that cause flu and herpes. The antiviral, and antifungal properties in the nut oil shield the body from contagious infections. Rub some Chilgoza pine nut oil on the skin for repelling mosquitoes, thus averting diseases from these insects.

Brightens Skin

Being a powerhouse of Vitamin E with 9.33 mg per 100 grams, the Chilgoza pine nut is your quick beauty fix. Thanks to the presence of alpha-tocopherol, the oil extracted from these nuts deeply moisturizes the skin, preventing sudden breakouts of acne.

Beats Fatigue

Consume Chilgoza pine nuts as a part of your regular diet for beating fatigue, building muscle strength, and also for preventing sudden muscle sprain. Lysine, amply found in these nuts maintains hypertension besides keeping the heart healthy.

Chilgoza /Pine Nut oil

Chilgoza pine nut oil has a mild aroma with a sweet flavour and is used widely in traditional medicine. The potent antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic, and expectorant properties are beneficial in treating various ailments. In addition, it is also used as a carrier oil in aromatherapy and beauty products.