What usually comes to our mind when we think of a grain meal? Maybe roti sabzi or rice and curry. If we lived 90 years ago, most houses used to eat a supercrop called millets. Yes, our ancestors used millets. But in modern times, rice and wheat are widely consumed in India. Let’s learn what millets are different?

What are Millets?

Millets refer to different varieties of small-seeded grasses, widely grown in many parts of the world as cereal crops or grains for human food and fodder. This superfood can be locally grown too. These were once a staple in many parts of the country. They were produced in quantities comparable to rice in the 1960s and now are less than one-tenth of that quarter. High in dietary fiber, millets don’t spike sugar levels in the body. They are also easy to grow and help preserve the resources like water, which are required in huge quantities for growing rice or wheat. Farmers can benefit from its low input and maintenance requirements; hence, it’s a low-risk crop. Growing millets is a win-win for farmers, consumers, and the environment.

Why should you incorporate them into your diet?

Millets are good for your health and farmers. They are called a ‘superfood” for many reasons;

Drought Resistant: Millets need less water and can be quickly grown in almost all parts of India and stored for a long time. A review by scientists published in the journal ‘Sustainability’ noted that a farmer requires 70 times less water to grow one kg of millet than the amount needed for growing one kg of rice or wheat.
Highly Nutritious: Rich in dietary fibre and abundant in micronutrients, proteins, phytochemicals, and antioxidants.
Naturally Gluten-free: Ideal for those who are gluten-intolerant.
Easy to Digest: Easily digestible, millets are a great substitute for rice or wheat to make your recipes healthier
Highly Sustainable: Do not degrade quickly; some millets are still edible after 10-12 years of growth, providing excellent food security.

Different Types of grains

Mainly there are three types of Grains:

Positive Millet Grains

Positive millet grains have dietary fiber ranging from 8% to 12.5%. Positive millets have numerous health benefits as they have the highest dietary fiber. Examples are Foxtail millet (Kangni), Barnyard millet (Sanwa), Browntop millet (Korale/ chhoti Kangni), Kodo millet (Kodra), and Little millet (Kutki)

Neutral Millet Grains

Neutral millet grains have dietary fiber between 3% and 6%. They have fewer health benefits than positive ones but do not harm the body anyway. Examples are Pearl Millet (Bajra), Finger Millet (Ragi), Proso Millet, and Sorghum Millet.

Negative Millet Grains

Negative millet grains have a dietary fiber of less than 2%. They are less beneficial for the body and difficult to digest by the body. Examples are rice and wheat. Avoid them.

Where can I buy millets?

Millets are available at any local grocery shop. Some millets are known all over India and can be bought from any online store too as per your convenience. Make sure they are not polished with preservatives or chemicals. We have introduced different types of millets on our website.

What's unique about Satopradhan millets?

Organic Foxtail Millet (Kangni)

Benefits of Foxtail Millet

These yellowish color millets are rich in dietary fibre, antioxidants, and phytonutrients.
It is a positive grain. Being rich in dietary fibre helps in maintaining a healthy gut.
Beneficial for the nervous and skeletal systems.

Usage of Foxtail Millet

Prepare foxtail millet upma/ khichdi for a super healthy & tasty meal.
Cook like rice to enjoy kangni pulao.
Use in desserts, like payasam, prepared with jaggery and coconut milk.
Grind into flour to use in healthy satvic snacks.
NOTE: Soak in water for 8 to 10 hours before cooking
Satopradhan Organic Foxtail Millets are available on our website. Order now!

Organic Barnyard Millet (Sanwa)

Benefits of Baryard Millet

These millets, also known as Japanese millets, are rich in antioxidants, phytonutrients, and dietary fibre.
It is a positive grain. Being rich in dietary fibre, helps in maintaining a healthy gut.

Usage of Baryard Millet

Cook like plain rice and enjoy with vegetable gravy.
Prepare Sanwa khichdi/ biryani by adding a lot of fresh seasonal vegetables.
Use in kheer prepared with jaggery and coconut milk.
Grind into flour to use in healthy satvic snacks.
NOTE: Soak in water for 8 to 10 hours before cooking
Satopradhan Organic Barnyard Millets are available on our website. Order now!

Organic Little Millet (Kutki/ Samai)

Benefits of Little Millet

These millets grown in Karnataka are rich in many antioxidants and micronutrients.
It’s beneficial for maintaining the function of several glands in the body like thyroid glands, pancreas, etc.
It is a positive grain. Being rich in dietary fibre, helps in maintaining a healthy gut.

Usage of Little Millet

Cook like plain rice and enjoy with vegetable gravy.
Prepare Kutki khichdi/ biryani by adding a lot of fresh seasonal vegetables.
Use in kheer prepared with jaggery and coconut milk.
Grind into flour to use in healthy satvic snacks.
NOTE: Soak in water for 8 to 10 hours before cooking
Satopradhan Organic Little Millets are available on our website. Order now!

Organic Bajra/Pearl millet

Benefits of Bajra Millet

These millets grown widely in India are rich in antioxidants, phytonutrients, and dietary fibre.
Beneficial for gut and heart health.

Usage of Bajra Millet

Make healthy satvic roti by combining bajra flour with vegetable puree.
Relish delicious bajra vegetable idlis with coconut chutney.
Use it as a substitute for regular baking flour.
Enjoy tasty & healthy vegetable bajra pancakes.

Organic Ragi/Finger millet

Benefits of Ragi Millet

These millets are powerhouses of several phytonutrients and antioxidants.
Beneficial for bone health, especially for kids during the growing stage of life and for the elderly.
Good for gut health.

Usage of Ragi Millet

Make healthy satvic roti by combining ragi flour with vegetable puree.
Relish delicious ragi vegetable idlis with coconut chutney.
Use it as a substitute for regular baking flour to prepare ragi cookies, cakes, etc.
Enjoy ragi malt, a great healthy drink.
Satopradhan Organic Ragi Millets are available on our website. Order now!

Organic Browntop Millet (Choti Kangni)

Benefits of Browntop Millet

These green color millets have the highest amount of dietary fiber.
It is a positive grain. Being rich in dietary fibre, helps in maintaining a healthy gut.
Beneficial for the nervous system and skeletal system.

Usage of Browntop Millet

Prepare upma/ biryani by adding a lot of fresh seasonal vegetables.
Cook like plain rice and enjoy with vegetable gravy.
Use in desserts, like payasam, prepared with jaggery and coconut milk.
Grind into flour to use in chapatis, South Indian cuisines & other satvic snacks.
Note: Soak in water for 8 to 10 hours before cooking
Satopradhan Organic Browntop Millets are available on our website. Order now!

Organic Sorghum Millet (Jowar)

Benefits of Sorghum Millet

These millets are grown mainly in Southern & Central parts of India and are rich in antioxidants & dietary fibre.
Beneficial for gut, bone, and heart health.

Usage of Sorghum Millet

Make healthy satvic roti by combining jowar flour with vegetable puree.
Relish delicious jowar vegetable idlis with coconut chutney.
Use it as a substitute for regular baking flour.
Enjoy tasty & healthy vegetable jowar pancakes.
Turn it into delicious jowar halwa when craving something sweet.

Organic Kodo Millet (Kodra)

Benefits of Kodo Millet

These millets have the highest antioxidant potential and are rich in micronutrients & dietary fibre.
Beneficial for gut and heart health.

Usage of Kodo Millet

Make healthy satvic roti by combining kodra flour with vegetable puree.
Relish delicious kodra vegetable idlis with coconut chutney.
Use it as a substitute for regular baking flour.
Enjoy tasty & healthy vegetable kodra pancakes.
Use it to prepare healthy meals like dosa with sambhar.

Conclusion

Satopradhan millets are a wonderfully nutritious and healthier alternative to typical grains like rice and wheat. Choose any from a range of positive millets making sure they are natural, organic & unpolished – with no preservatives.

Millets are high in nutrients that kept our forefathers healthy. So, let’s reintroduce this superfood back into our diet!