Fox Nuts, The Healthier Popcorn Alternative

Makhana - a gluten free, vegan snack 
Image - Open Food Facts

Fox nuts also known as Gorgon nuts or Makhana, are a nutrient-rich, seed snack similar to popcorn. Makhana has higher protein content & lower glycemic index (better for blood sugar control) than popcorn. Both raw and fried Makhana are fairly rich in essential amino acids. 

Euryale ferox, the aquatic plant that produces the seeds grows in ponds and wetlands. It has been cultivated for its edible seeds for centuries in China, India, and Japan.

Archaeobotanical evidence suggests it was a popular wild food source in the Yangtze region during the Neolithic period, and has even been found among artifacts from the Acheulean culture, 750–790,000 years ago in Israel. Imagine eating something that our ancestors enjoyed so long ago!

The processed snack is popular both within India and increasingly in international health food markets. Superior grade Makhana is creamy white in color, free of reddish spots and has a diameter of at least 15mm when fully expanded.

Makhana is not just a snack; it's a versatile ingredient. The seeds are used in various dishes, including kheer (a type of porridge or pudding) in India. The flour produced from Makhana is used as a substitute for Arrowroot. They are also used in Cantonese soup and traditional medicine in China.

When properly stored under room and airtight, Makhana may last more than a year.

Makhana gained national attention in India after being highlighted in the country's Union Budget. The Finance Minister announced the establishment of a dedicated Makhana Board in Bihar, which produces 90% of the world’s fox nuts.

According to a 2024 report by consumer research firm NielsenIQ, Makhana is part of the healthy snacks segment in India, which is growing 1.2 times faster than traditional snacks.

Mithila Makhana is a special variety of aquatic fox nut cultivated in Mithila region of Bihar state in India and in Nepal. It was granted the geographical indication (GI) tag in April 2022.

Nearly ten years ago, raw makhana was sold for Rs 250 per kg. Today, it’s sold for Rs 1,500 per kg. Yet, a farmer still earns what he made back then. 

The process of cultivating makhana is strenuous. Bihar’s Mallah (fishermen) community, who conduct nearly all of the farming and harvesting of the nuts remain impoverished. They often stand knee deep in water for days, navigating thorny leaves and murky ponds to gather the leaves of the water lily plant. These seeds are then dried and processed by hand in high heat, and popped. Despite the intense manual labour involved, not all the seeds pop. Attempts at mechanisation have failed because the seeds differ in sizes, and viability remains a challenge.