Water Chestnut (Trapa natans) is one of the important minor fruit crops grown in India. It is an aquatic nut crop grown in the tropical and sub-tropical region as a submersed plant community. It also thrives in the soft nutrient-rich waters in lakes, ponds, and streams with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH level.
Is water chestnut available in India?
The water chestnut is actually not a nut at all, but an aquatic vegetable that grows in marshes. The name “water chestnut” comes from the fact that it resembles a chestnut in shape and colouring. Indigenous to Southeast Asia, it has been cultivated in India and China since ancient times.
Where does chestnut grow in India?
In Kashmir, chestnuts are known as Panjaeb gour, singhara. Chestnuts are grown for their edible nuts in the orchards throughout the Himalayas up to Assam and Meghalaya at altitudes of 2,000 to 3,000 m.
What are water chestnuts called in India?
singhara
Water chestnuts, or singhara, belong to the non-starchy, low-calorie fruit group, which has zero fat content and may help you lose weight. Water chest nut, also known as singhara in Hindi, is a very common autumn and winter season fruit that grows underwater.
How is water chestnuts grown?
The water chestnut is not a nut, but an aquatic vegetable that grows in marshes, under water, in the mud. It has stem-like, tubular green leaves that grow to about 1.5 m (5 ft). The water caltrop, which also is referred to by the same name, is unrelated and often confused with the water chestnut.
Which city is famous for water chestnut?
The districts of Rewa and Satna are known for water-chestnut cultivation and there are villages where its cultivation is the mainstay and supports the rural economy.
What is singhara fruit called in English?
water chestnut
Singhara, also known as water caltrop or water chestnut, is a fruit that grows underwater. It is usually a winter fruit, however, its by-products – especially the flour – are available round the year. Water chestnut fruits are dried and ground to make flour.
Does India produce chestnuts?
In India, chestnut population is confined to the Northern part of the country particularly in Jammu and Kashmir. Twenty seven isolates of genus Gnomoniopsis were recovered in pure culture from infected chestnut trees growing in different places of Jammu and Kashmir.
Where is singhara grown in India?
According to the book, “Tanks in Eastern India,” singharas grow throughout the East of India: West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Bihar are examples of such regions. Bihar in particular cultivates the fruit extensively in its districts of Darbhanga, Madhubani and Samastipur.
Are Indian horse chestnuts edible?
Toxicity. This tree contains glycosides aesculin and fraxin, some alkaloids, and saponin aescin. All parts of it are toxic, and ingesting them can cause gastrointestinal and neuromuscular problems. Most cases of indian horse-chestnut poisoning in humans result from improper preparation of the nuts.
Can we eat raw Singada?
It is found in abundance in India, China, Washington, North Carolina and Florida. Singhara or water caltrop is declared as a noxious weed. It usually flourishes in freshwater lakes and is eaten raw or even boiled.
Are water chestnuts healthy?
Water chestnuts are aquatic vegetables that are nutritious and delicious. They are a great source of antioxidants and other compounds that may help prevent diseases linked with age, such as heart disease and cancer. Water chestnuts are also highly versatile and can be added to a variety of dishes.
Is water chestnut a fruit or vegetable?
Water chestnuts are an aquatic tuber vegetable. They grow in parts of Southeast Asia, Africa, Australia, and many Pacific islands. A water chestnut resembles an actual chestnut in both color and shape, but it is not a nut.
How long do water chestnuts take to grow?
Water chestnuts take at least 6-7 months to fully mature, so it’s necessary that you plant them in the early spring so that they are ready to be harvested in the fall, before the first frost. If you miss your window to plant the chestnuts, you’ll have to wait another year during the next growing season.
What are the side effects of water chestnuts?
Water chestnut side effects
- Stomach ache, nausea, and/or vomiting can occur on excessive consumption of water chestnut. It can also cause bloating in some cases.
- Water chestnut has been found to possess hypoglycemic properties.
- Singhara has been known to reduce blood pressure.
What animals eat water chestnuts?
These invertebrates then become a major food source for fish. Birds can also use the water chestnut beds to forage on. They can walk out on the beds and eat the insects associated with the plant. Norway rats, eastern chipmunks, and gray and red squirrels also eat the nuts.
Why are they called water chestnuts?
The name “water chestnut” comes from the fact that it resembles a chestnut in shape and coloring (it has papery brown skin over white flesh), but the water chestnut is actually not a nut at all—it is an aquatic tuber (rootlike part of a plant) that grows in freshwater marshes.
What do water chestnuts taste like?
The taste of the water chestnut is described as nutty, tart, and sweet, like a combination of coconut and apple. The texture is similar to that of an Asian pear.
Can I eat raw water chestnut?
You can eat water chestnuts raw, boiled, grilled, pickled, or from a can. Water chestnuts are unusual because they remain crisp even after being cooked or canned due to their ferulic acid content. This quality makes water chestnuts a popular choice for stir-fry and as a topping on many Chinese dishes.
Why is singhara black?
The fruit originally green in color is cooked and roasted until the outer skin turns black to eliminate toxins. This fruit is used in the form of flour after drying and is popularly known as ‘singhare ka atta’. It is used in making kheer, halwa, burfis, ladoos, etc and its consumption is encouraged during fasts.
Can kidney patient eat water chestnut?
Raw chestnuts are safe to eat for most people. However, they do contain tannic acid, which means they could cause stomach irritation, nausea, or liver damage if you have liver disease or experience a lot of kidney problems.