Pearl Millet is one of the edible common millet available in India and Africa. Pennisetum glaucum is the scientific name of the crop Bajra in hindi, kambu in tamil and Pearl millet in English. Indians typically use bajra as a cereal grain or grind it into flour to make roti, porridge, and other dishes. Native Bajra is always the best to use which shapes elonged than the hybrid round one.
Bajra a gluten free grain is rich in protein, fiber and antioxidants, polyphenols and phytochemicals with a boi-available source of Iron and Zinc.
Consuming bajra helps prevent chronic problems like heart disease, diabetes, obesity etc and a best suitable whole grain for non communicable diseases.
Pearl Millet Nutrients
- Calories: 207
- Protein: 6 grams
- Carbs: 41 grams
- Fat: 1.7 grams
- Fiber: 2.2 grams
- Iron: 6% of the Daily Value
- Thiamine (Vitamin B1): 15% of the Daily Value
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2): 11% of the Daily Value
- Niacin (Vitamin B6): 14% of the Daily Value
- Zinc: 14% of the Daily Value
- Folate: 8% of the Daily Value
Some Benefits of Pearl Millet / Bajra / Kambu
- Good for Diabetes.
- Helps weight loss.
- Reduce risk of cardiovascular disease.
- Good for Inflammatory Disease.
- Natural Detoxifier.
- Improves Eyesight.
- Boosts energy level.
- Improves Digestion.
- Strengthens Bones.
- Promotes Healthy Hair, Skin and Nails.
- Helps Childhood Asthma.
- Gluten Free.
- Prevents Constipation & improves Gut Health.
- Rich in Omega-3 Fats, Iron and Phosphorus.
How to Consume Bajra / Pearl Millet / Kambu?
Bajra can be consumed as a bajra rice, bajra rava and flour.
How to cook Bajra Rice?
Bajra rice can be prepared by two ways, one is by soaking method which is very good to health and its a time consuming process, another is by roasting bajra and cooking it easily.
Soaking Method
To prepare Bajra Rice by soaking method, just wash and soak bajra in clean water for 6 to 8 hours. Then drain the water and wash it once again. Add 2 to 3 times of water in a pot and boil it with soaked bajra. Once it starts boil, just reduce the flame and continue cooking for 25 to 35 minutes to get Bajra rice.
Roasting Method
To prepare Bajra Rice by roasting method, just roast bajra in a heavy bottom pan till it starts to pop. Then add 2 to 3 Cups of water into it and cook it for 20 to 30 minutes till it gets soft.
Bajra Rava
Can convert Bajra rice to Bajra rava to prepare upma, kichidli, idli, dosa, porridge, dessert, kheer etc.
Bajra Flour
Whole Bajra can be converted to Bajra flour to prepare recipes like roti, dosa, malt, drink, snacks like murukku, sweets like laddo etc.
Bajra can be consumed as a bajra rice, bajra rava and flour.
Bajra rice can be prepared by two ways, one is by soaking method which is very good to health and its a time consuming process, another is by roasting bajra and cooking it easily.
