Charoli

Buchanania lanzan
Charoli nuts
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Rosids
Order: Sapindales
Family: Anacardiaceae
Genus: Buchanania
Species: Buchanania lanzan
Spreng.

Charoli (Hindi: चारोली; Marathi: चारोळी; also called chironji, Hindi: चिरौन्जी) are seeds of Buchanania lanzan used as a cooking spice primarily in India.[1] Charoli are tiny almond-flavoured dried seeds of a bush called Buchanania lanzan, which is cultivated across India, primarily in the northwest. After the hard shell is cracked, the stubby seed within is as soft as a pine nut.[1]

They are commonly used in sweets in India. However, they are also ground into powders for thickening savory sauces and flavoring batters, and stewed into rich, meaty kormas.[1]

Charoli seeds are used in the Ayurveda and Unani system of medicine.

References

  1. ^ a b c Bowen, Dana (April 28, 2004). "TEMPTATION; Charoli Nuts Flavor the Dishes, and Memories, of Indian Chefs". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/28/dining/temptation-charoli-nuts-flavor-the-dishes-and-memories-of-indian-chefs.html. Retrieved April 28, 2010.