Red poha is a type of flattened rice that is commonly used in Indian cuisine. It is made by parboiling rice and then flattening it into thin, dry flakes using a rolling machine.
Poha is cherished in every corner of India. The flattened rice delicacy is a breakfast and snack essential for many Indians. Only recently, its healthier alternative–Red poha–is gaining popularity. It is just as tasty and a lot more nutritious than its counterpart.
Red rice, which is par-boiled and flattened to make red poha, gains its signature red shade from a pigment called anthocyanin. This flavonoid lends the poha anti-inflammatory properties as well. Red rice is also less processed than white rice, thus it is rich in fibers and retains many vitamins and minerals.
Why Red Poha?
- It’s a filling and gluten-free meal: Get rid of the digestion problems that come with eating wheat. Red poha is light on the stomach and easy to digest.
- It’s a beneficial meal for diabetes: The unprocessed rice flakes make red poha rich in fibers. A higher fiber count contributes to controlled release of sugar into the bloodstream. Thus, red poha is a good alternative for managing diabetes.
- It’s packed with essential vitamins and minerals: Full of antioxidants, vitamin B, magnesium, zinc, calcium, and iron, red poha is very good for building immunity and overall health and healing. Due to the high nutrition content, red poha promotes bone health as well.
- It’s low in calories: High in fibers, red poha provides the necessary carbohydrates for the body, while being a low-calorie meal and snack option. A spicy and crunchy snack, red poha fulfills all cravings and is an ideal weight loss diet meal.
- It’s a probiotic: In a surprising twist, during the preparation process of red poha, the rice goes through a slight fermentation process after flattening and par-boiling it. Thus, red poha contains probiotic qualities that promote gut health.
An added benefit of including red poha in our kitchens is that it can be used the same way as regular poha. While it has a coarser texture than white poha, its cooking process is the same. Red poha can be used to make a healthy breakfast, including peanuts, peas, and vegetables in its making. For a continental spin on the desi dish, you can also include French beans, mushrooms, and bell peppers into the fold.
Red poha can also be used as a condiment or garnish in our favorite salads. Roasting the poha adds a great crunch and this can be used as a substitute for crackers on salads. Further, it can also be added to a platter of stir-fried vegetables, adding a quirky desi touch to our favorite dishes.
Conclusion
Red poha at Conscious Food is locally and sustainably sourced and packaged so the best flavors and nutrition reach your plates. It’s a host of benefits for the body and can be prepared in so many interesting ways. Indulging in it once will ensure you keep coming back to it for seconds!
