Horse Gram makes an integral part of South Asian cuisine, especially in India. It goes by different names in different regions. For example, Horse Gram is called Kulthi in Hindi, Hulaga in Marathi, Kulith in Konkani, Kolatha in Odisha, Muthira in Malayalam, Hurali in Kannada, Kollu in Tamil, Gahat in Nepali, and so on.
But, what is Horse Gram and what makes this lentil so special? Let’s learn together.
What is Horse Gram?
Horse Gram is a lentil grown in the tropical region of South Asia. Horse Gram is a type of legume; it is flat and oval-shaped and brownish-red in color. It has a glossy texture on the exterior. This low-profile yet miraculous lentil can even grow on dry agricultural land.
Why this name?
You may wonder, why the lentil has a peculiar name Horse Gram.
This miracle lentil is the highest protein source and has immense power. For this reason, it is fed to cattle and horses. Thus the name Horse Gram.
Health benefits of Horse Gram
Horse Gram is a common ingredient in the Ayurvedic system of Medicine and boasts of numerous health benefits-
- Protein-rich edible- Horse Gram is one of the highest vegetarian protein sources found on the planet.
- Diabetic-friendly food- Studies have proved that consuming Horse Gram in a meal helps control blood sugar levels.
- High source of antioxidants- Horse Gram is loaded with polyphenols, flavonoids, and proteins. This makes it very healthy.
- Diuretic- Horse Gram is reputed to increase urine flow. It is recommended that one can consume Horse Gram soup twice a day for 4 months for visible results.
- Good for kidney health- Studies show that certain components present in Horse Gram have the ability to dissolve kidney stones. It is also believed that consuming Horse Gram on a regular basis prevents the building of kidney stones.
- High in fiber and good for gut and liver health- The high phenol content of Horse Gram cuts down the fatty tissue and promotes weight loss.
- Good for bone health- The high amounts of protein, calcium, and iron found in Horse Gram are good for your bones.
- Good for the reproductive system for men and women- In addition to the above-listed benefits, Horse Gram also improves sperm count. It also regulates menstrual problems as the rich iron content of Horse Gram is good for maintaining hemoglobin levels in females.
- Generates heat- A hot cup of Horse Gram soup keeps you warm on a cold winter day.
Note: According to research, one should soak, sprout, or boil/cook Horse Gram well before consuming for best results.
The most common way of consuming Horse Gram is in the dal or soup form.
How to prepare Horse Gram soup?
- Wash Horse Gram well with plain water.
- For best results, soak Horse Gram in water for 5-6 hours or overnight before cooking.
- Normally, the 1:2 (horse gram: water) ratio is best for cooking.
- Boil Horse Gram in a pressure cooker with some salt.
- Blend 5 tablespoons of boiled Horse Gram. Add this blend to the boiled Horse Gram water.
- Sprinkle finely chopped green chilies, coriander, minced garlic, and ½ tsp. pepper powder. Boil the mixture well.
- You can also temper with 1 teaspoon mustard seeds and 3-4 curry leaves in 1 tablespoon cooking oil or ghee. Enjoy the rich soup on a chilly day.
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