Explore Chitlang’s Best & Unique Nepali Spices: A Culinary Journey
Oct 18, 2024

Explore Chitlang’s Best & Unique Nepali Spices: A Culinary Journey

Explore Chitlang’s Best & Unique Nepali Spices: A Culinary Journey
  • Oct 18, 2024

Every Nepali knows the important role spices play in Nepali cuisine. Almost every dish that we eat every day, gets its depth, flavour, and complexity from the spices that we add to it. Spices are the real kings of the food we eat, giving the dishes bold and aromatic flavours. Every place in our country […]

Every Nepali knows the important role spices play in Nepali cuisine. Almost every dish that we eat every day, gets its depth, flavour, and complexity from the spices that we add to it. Spices are the real kings of the food we eat, giving the dishes bold and aromatic flavours. Every place in our country grows some type of spice and Chitlang is no exception.

Chitlang is gathering attention as a tourist hub, but there is more to discover about this place. What many people (including Nepalis) don’t know is that Chitlang produces some of Nepal’s best and most unique spices. It also exports these items to many parts of the country and abroad.

This traditional town grows all its spices organically using traditional methods. This is the reason why their flavours are so fresh and aromatic and better than some random spices that you buy in the market. 

The Unique Spices Produced in Chitlang

Below are some of the spices that are organically grown in Chitlang:

1. Sichuan pepper (Timmur)

Almost every Nepali loves this numb sensation-giving and citrusy flavoured spice that is a staple in many dishes. While Timur farming is common in many places of Nepal, especially the cold areas, the ones grown in Chitlang are 100% organic and fresh. You will find this thing in every Nepali kitchen.

We use this amazing spice to flavour up pickles, and tea and make masalas. Timur is also used to make essential oils. Not just tastewise, but Sichuan pepper has lots of health benefits as well. So, along with the good taste, it also supports your body. Here are some amazing benefits:

  • Helps relieve toothache and helps with appetite
  • A great source of vitamin A, carotenes, pyridoxine, and thiamin
  • Rich in minerals like copper, potassium, iron, manganese and so much more
  • Reduces pain and inflammation
  • Increases circulation and strengthens the bones

2. Cardamom (Alainchi)

Let’s start this with a fun fact. Nepal produces the largest amount of large cardamom in the world. If you are keen to know the amount, it is 6,000 tons produced annually. Among 16 varieties of cardamom grown globally, five are grown in Nepal. They are: Ramsey, Halsey, Sawney, Chibesey, and Dammersey.

This high-value cash crop is a great source of income for many farmers including Chitlang. The climate of Chitlang is good for the cardamom plants and farmers ensure that they are grown in the most organic way possible. Along with other districts, Chitlang also exports a good amount of cardamom annually.

This tiny spice is a multi-tasker. Cardamom oil is used to prepare food, perfumes, medicines, and even beverages. It also acts as an important decision in many Nepali cuisines, including tea. If you feel awkward because of your bad breath or have cavities, Cardamom does the job for you. It also helps fight digestive issues and chronic diseases.

3. Coriander (Dhaniya)

A versatile spice that goes well with almost every dish in the world and is the chef’s favorite: Coriander. Dhaniya makes every vegetable or meat item tasty. This flavoring agent has a mild flavor that makes your food taste sweet and savory.

Grown mainly for the domestic market, Chitlang grows this herb in huge quantities and is famous for its freshness and unique aroma. You can either use the fresh, green dhaniya or blend it into powder when it gets dry. 

While the importance of coriander in cuisines is unbeatable, it is also full of health benefits:

  • Lowers sugar level and stimulates digestive function
  • Maintains heart health to some extent
  • The antioxidant properties boost the immunity system
  • Reduce swelling due to kidney malfunction or anemia
  • Prevent nausea and stomach disorders
  • Has ulcer healing properties and keeps bones healthy

Fun Fact: If you are embarrassed about your bad breath, chew on a few leaves of fresh coriander leaves and see the magic.

4. Turmeric (Besar)

The ultimate kitchen hero, Turmeric takes the prize for every Nepali kitchen’s favourite item. Used in every vegetable and meat cuisine, this golden spice isn’t a big flavoring spice. It however gives the food the color that makes it look delicious. Chitlang grows this in huge quantities and is popular for its high quality and vibrant color.

Besar probably has more health benefits than any other spice there is. While its presence doesn’t give food a different taste, its absence is going to affect the food’s colour. As most of the Nepali dishes are oily, besar helps to minimize the negative effects of oil.

 With every research, it amazes scientists with new health, skin, and kitchen benefits. Here are some:

  • Helps the human body fight foreign invaders and heals physical injuries
  • Increases neurons, fight degenerative processes in the brain
  • Reduces risk of heart disease and cholesterol
  • A new study shows that it can also reduce blood vessels in tumours and reduce spread of cancer
  • Acts as a preventive agent (used to marinate pickles and meat for freshness)
  • Used to cure wounds and burns
  • Useful in treating smallpox and chickenpox

Fun Fact: For all those wanting to have glowy skin, make a fine paste of turmeric, flour, and honey. Spread it evenly on your clean face and let it dry for a few minutes. Rinse it off and see the magic. (You may have to use micellar water to remove the stain)

5. Green Chilli (Hariyo Khursani)

Spicy food is normally not considered healthy but eating chillies in adequate amounts does wonders for your body. Chitlang grows green chillies in massive quantities and exports them to many parts of the country. While this hot spice is grown all over Nepal, the aroma, freshness, and originality of the ones grown in Chitlang are unbeatable.

This spicing agent is used in curries, pickles, soup, noodles, meat items, snacks, you name it. People also eat them raw while having dal-bhaat. Despite being too spicy, eating a small quantity might reduce the risk of cancer. Other surprising health benefits of green chilly are:

  • Rich in vitamin C, green chilly strengthens natural immunity to fight diseases
  • Reduce blood and sugar levels
  • Makes digestion easier

6. Garlic (Lasun)

Before saying anything about garlic, see this popular Nepali quote: ‘’Din ma euta lasun, doctor bahira basun.” This literally translates to ‘’A garlic a day keeps the doctor away.’’ Now you know how beneficial this spice is to your health.

Chitlang’s fertile soil and mild climate provide ideal conditions for growing garlic. The ones grown here are exported to many cities and are used in a wide number of dishes. Garlic goes along with savoury dishes like veggies, pasta, and meat (often in sauces, dressings, and marinades).

Also, garlic has made an important place for itself in soups and stews, pickles, and preserves, and bread and spreads (Everybody loves garlic bread).

Talking about medicinal purposes, this spice has been used for centuries as an antibacterial and antiviral medicine.

How is spice production helpful to Chitlang?

While growing spices seems like a small task, there is so much it does for the welfare of a place. Let’s find out how it helps Chitlang grow:

  1. Increase Revenue: Chitlang exports its fresh and healthy spices to many parts of the country and some even abroad. These exports generate income for the farmers which increases their living standards. It contributes to the overall economic growth of the town and the country.
  2. Domestic Consumption: No Nepali dish is complete without spices. The production of spices supports the domestic food industry. It also creates employment opportunities and helps in developing related sectors like hotels and restaurants.
  3. Rural development: The majority of spices are grown in rural areas like Chitlang. The cultivation of these spices reduces the risk of unemployment and gives farmers a sense of financial freedom. It ultimately improves livelihoods in villages.
  4. Value-Added Products: Exporting spices is not just about selling. You can also increase the value of your spice by processing and packaging spices into finished products like pastes and powders. This will effectively enhance their market appearance and create higher revenue.
  5. Tourism: Chitlang is a famous hub for tourists. Tourists get easily attracted to different Nepali cuisine which is very much influenced by the spices produced here. This helps to boost the tourism in the town. 

Conclusion 

Spice production is an underrated gem of Chitlang. The small town’s favorable climate and fertile soil are perfect for growing many crops including spices. The spice production in Chitlang has a role to play in the region’s local economy. Along with helping farmers uplift their living standards, it also helps to promote tourism and introduce Nepali spices to foreign cultures.

After learning about Chitlang’s unique and favorable spices, you might want to know more about them. In that case, you can always contact us and let us help you with whatever information we have about Chitlang.

FAQs

1. Where does Chitlang export its spices to?

Ans: Chitlang exports its organic and fresh spices to many parts of Nepal including Kathmandu. The spices are also slowly getting acknowledged by foreigners and are slowly making their way to India, China, and many other Asian and European nations.

2. What part does spice export play in Nepal’s economy?

Ans: Along with coffee and tea, spices make it to the top of Nepal’s top 10 exports. Together these three items made up 9% of last year’s export worth US $109.9 million. That is alone enough to tell you why spice production is an integral part of our small towns and how much our economy needs it.