“The 14th of January brings a number of festivals to the South Asian region and Makar Sankranti is one of them.”
In all creation, the sun is the most important factor in weather change. Nature has given us many gifts in the form of life, whether it is air, water, or food items. As humans, we are blessed, and we need to celebrate with nature in all forms. Our Culture grew up with nature-blessings, and we developed festivals. Our harvest and sun-related festivals are a bright human tradition where we feel blessed. This kind of festival carries the theory or art and science together. We need to give thanks all time to Mother Nature, but we celebrate on some particular day because of nature’s scientific movement. The festival of Makar Sankranti is also remarkable for this reason.
India’s beautiful cultural land is celebrating the festivals of the harvest and winter to spring transformation from 13th to 14 January. Makar-Sankranti, Lohri, Pongal, and Magh Bihu has sounded in every house. Throughout India and worldwide Indian people have been observing this festival religiously with cultural and nutritious food. This festival is related to the scientism of nature. This festival is connecting us with the Solar-System where the Sun is in the center of Earth-Life. The ancient people knew this power. Hence their faith was further enhanced by Sun worship. This day is also known as “Uttarayan” because the Sun’s direction is towards the north for six months. In other terms, Because the weather will move from winter to spring and depart, it is considered a transition period. So, at such a time, people take food that provides warmth to the body and makes various dishes from it. We called it Superfoods because of its health benefits. In the group of Superfoods, Sesame is high in demand across the globe. According to the market report, it is assuming that the need for Sesame will be increased drastically by the year 2025.
Historically, sesame seed is considered to be the oldest oilseed crop. The earliest traces of sesame cultivation date back at least 5500 years to the Indian subcontinent.
Researchers believe that vegan populations are growing worldwide because of increasing thoughts about weight management, animal welfare & environmental awareness. It is observed that obesity rates, health problems such as heart diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, and others as concerns grow, people search for alternatives.
So, people are looking for protein and another vital source in vegan or plant-based products. If you see the nutrition profile of Sesame, it is a fantastic source of protein (rich in methionine and tryptophan), fiber, monounsaturated fats, vitamins B1 and B2, minerals such as copper, magnesium, iron, zinc, and calcium, lignans, and phytic acid. The best part of Sesame seeds is that it’s low in carbohydrates and cholesterol-free. According to a diet plan, people can consume 1-2 tablespoon roasted sesame seeds every day, and it’s hugely beneficial. So, lots of food processing companies increasing demand for Sesame seeds from Asian countries like India, Myanmar & Sudan. All three are the largest producer of a Sesame seed.
According to Ayurvedic doctrine, sesame seeds increase pitta while calming the Vata and Kapha. It has laxative properties. It contains a high amount of calcium it strengthens bones, muscles, and joints. In addition, it has anti-aging and rejuvenating properties.
People like to consume grains and seeds seasonally. In winter, people prefer to consume jaggery and sesame together as a sweet dish. Like Tilkut, which is sweet-savory made in the Indian state of Bihar. Sesame seeds are rich in calcium, iron, minerals, and vitamin B1. Jaggery(Gur) is rich in iron and minerals. It cleanses the liver and increases immunity. Overall, tilkut (A sweet dish made with sesame seeds and jaggery especially) is full of health benefits.
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India has a vast opportunity for vegan products
Through the data, the Global vegan food market is expected to reach $31.4 billion by 2026. North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, LAMEA (Brazil, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, UAE), and the UK has emerged as a large market in demand in this region. There are many traditional Indian dishes of Sesame seeds that are relatively healthy. India needs to prepare and sell its conventional consonant according to International Health standards & Packaging. Apart from this, Indian restaurants have the opportunity to serve Indian protein dishes with varied usage. If you talk to people from different countries about Indian cuisine, especially in California, they say, Yes, Indian Foods are so spicy, but some are delicious. They like to eat Idli, Dosa more, who doesn’t love spice. So Indian cuisine has to be work on protein-rich and weight-controlled recipe identity.
Apart from Sesame, India can lead and promote vegan products to substitute meat and dairy products and every State of India can pull this opportunity. According to the Global market trend, weight loss and protein-based plant-products will go far, and this trend is opening an opportunity for Indian Farmers & Food process companies. Peanuts, Channa Daal, Flax Seeds, Sprouted Moong & Masoor Beans, Pumpkin Seeds are some of them. Online or offline, their demand remains.
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