AshaPops’ Popped Water Lily Seeds are a delicious superfood snack that my mother Asha grew up eating in India which are gluten free, corn-free, soy-free. They’re a low calorie nutrient dense snack high in magnesium, antioxidants and plant-based protein, perfect for those on a vegan or paleo diet. Asha uses natural medicinal ingredients in our AshaPops that she’s been cooking with in the family for decades to boost health benefits while enhancing flavor. Many of you have wanted to learn more about these ingredients and we will write a series of blog posts provide you with information. Our first post is on Asafoetida - a spice that Asha uses in our zesty AshaPops Bombay Masala flavor.
Asafoetida, also known as “Hing”, is a spice that is commonly found in the Indian cuisine. This spice is derived from the root of the giant fennel plant. The production of asafoetida is laborious and requires the extraction of dried resin from the giant fennel plant. The resin is then crushed to a fine powder which can be used for cooking.
Asafoetida’s medicinal benefits are aplenty. Its anti-microbial properties aid in the relief from infections including Whooping Cough and bronchitis. The tannins, phenolic acids & phytonutrients found in asafoetida have been shown to help the body maintain proper blood sugar levels & lower blood pressure. When combined with the high Magnesium in our Popped Water Lily Seeds, it helps alleviate digestive ailments such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) & constipation.
Asha has traditionally used Asafoetida in Indian entrees like dal or curries. Since this spice enhances flavor with its onion-like taste, Asha felt that this key ingredient would pair well with AshaPops. Asafoetida can now be savored in our Bombay Masala flavor. Our Popped Water Lily Seeds are an excellent way to enjoy this spice while getting 4 grams of plant-based protein per bag.
Try Asafoetida in AshaPops' Bombay Masala flavor here and look out for our next blog post to learn more about our next ingredient: Carom seeds!