It was my first time in Leh. Seasoned visitors had advised me to stay indoors for the first day and step out only after my breath stabilised and my body acclimatised to the altitude and climate. Upon learning that I was a first-timer and, being the kind and warm guests that Ladakhis are, the hotel staff offered me a warm, comforting cup of sea buckthorn tea. While I had heard my mother speak highly of the berries as being rich in antioxidants, it was the very first time I was trying anything made with them. Whether it helped the body suit itself or not, it was exactly what I needed to beat Leh’s dipping temperatures.
The drink was bright, citrusy, and slightly tangy. Apart from sipping it as a tea, many Ladakhi households serve sea buckthorn juice as a welcome drink for their guests. “What kahwa is to Kashmir and chai is to North India, sea buckthorn is to us,” said Danish Din, the director of Grand Dragon Ladakh. Despite its abundance in the region, it is often called “Ladakh Gold” owing to its economic significance and its status as a powerful nutritional superfood.
What Is Sea Buckthorn?
With the kind of identity that the berries enjoy, one is likely to believe that there is limited cultivation and production of the plant. However, you will be surprised to know that there is no formal cultivation of sea buckthorn across Leh. Most of these berries grow in the wild, and only 20 to 25% are collected from the jungles and used. The remaining grow in inaccessible areas, which leaves them uncollected.
Sea buckthorn is a bright orange berry that grows on thorny shrubs in cold, mountainous regions. In India, it is primarily found in the high-altitude areas of Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, with Ladakh accounting for over 60% of the country’s total production of this crop. Scientifically known as Hippophae rhamnoides, the fruit has a naturally tart, acidic flavour and is traditionally used to prepare juices, jams, sauces, and herbal preparations. The hardy plant, which thrives in harsh climates, is also highly valued for its ecological benefits, including preventing soil erosion through its extensive root system.
What Are Its Nutritional Benefits?
Sea buckthorn is a nutrient-dense berry that has attracted increased attention in the past five years. This attention reflects its distinctive combination of vitamins, antioxidants, and healthy fats. The bright orange fruit is particularly rich in vitamin C. Vitamin C supports normal immune function, collagen production, and healthy skin maintenance. Its vitamin C content can vary depending on the variety, growing conditions, and stage of ripeness.
One of the fruit’s more unusual nutritional characteristics is its fatty-acid profile. Unlike most berries, sea buckthorn contains oils in both its pulp and seeds. These oils contain unsaturated fatty acids, including omega-3, omega-6, omega-7, and omega-9. Palmitoleic acid, or omega-7, is particularly notable because it is relatively uncommon in plant foods. As a result, the fruit’s oils may be of interest in products where fatty acid composition matters, especially when selecting which part of the fruit to use and how to process it.
However, the amount and composition of these fatty acids depend on which part of the fruit is used and how it is processed.
Sea buckthorn also contains dietary fibre, which contributes to digestive health and can help support a balanced diet. Its sharp, acidic flavour means the fresh berries are not usually eaten in large quantities. Instead, they are commonly consumed as juices, purées, jams, powders or oils. In practice, this makes sea buckthorn more suitable as an ingredient than as a fruit eaten on its own. While sea buckthorn is nutritionally interesting, it is best considered one component of a varied diet rather than a standalone source of health benefits.
The Future Of Sea Buckthorn’s Systematic Cultivation
As mentioned, the berry currently grows only in the wild. However, the government is working to systematically cultivate it. This follows the recent announcement of a 100% rise in the procurement price of sea buckthorn berries, from INR 150 per kilogram to INR 300 per kilogram. It also includes government steps to invest in post-harvest processing and develop fire lines in higher-altitude forests to ease plucking.
As a state that contributes significantly to the country’s overall sea buckthorn production, this government initiative is seen as a way to increase local participation in sea buckthorn cultivation, harvesting, and processing. It will benefit locals economically, provide a source of livelihood, and allow them to showcase Ladakh’s wonder berries to the rest of the country and the world.
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Also read: Chef Jigmet Mingur Brings A Thoughtful Ladakhi Winter Menu To Delhi
