Wild Thyme - Hunza Cuisine & Marketplace

Hunza health
by Sally Beare, dip BCNH, CNHC
Nutritional therapist and author

The Hunza valley is more than just one of the most sublimely beautiful places imaginable, with its lush green terraced fields, apricot blossom and vertiginous glacial peaks. For hundreds of years it has also been home to one of the healthiest and happiest populations on the planet, whose health records qualify them as some of the world’s longest-living, most illness-free people.

The reason for this is undoubtedly the diet and lifestyle of the Hunzakuts. In terms of their diet, all of their food is home-grown, organic, and natural. They also have a range of health-promoting super foods in their diet which you do not find elsewhere in Pakistan. Luckily, it is possible to enjoy these delicious, nutritious foods at Wild Thyme.


Health-giving Hunza super foods served at Wild Thyme:

Apricot kernels and their oil
Apricot kernels and their oil are a famous Hunza classic. The kernels provide protein and fiber, whilst their high-quality oil is far superior to commercial oils. Because the oil is cold-pressed, it contains unspoiled omega-6 fats which are essential for our immune systems, brain function, cell membrane health, hormone balance, and more. Apricot kernel oil also contains a substance called vitamin B17, which is thought to have powerful anti-cancer properties.

Walnuts and their oil
Walnuts and their oil contain the other type of fats we urgently need - omega-3 fats. We require these together with omega-6 fats for optimal health, but they are typically deficient in the modern diet. Increased intake of omega-3 fats is linked with a reduced risk of diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and other illness. Omega-3 fats do not make us fat - quite the reverse, since they enhance our metabolism.

Flax seed and flax seed butter
Flax seeds are a very popular super food supplement today because they contain both omega-3 and omega-6 fats in a very useful balance for those who need extra omega-3, which is the majority of people eating a modern diet. Flax seed is also a healthful, vegetarian source of protein. Hunza flax ‘butter’ is made from lightly-roasted seeds which are ground to release their natural oils and flavors.

Buckwheat
Buckwheat has nothing to do with wheat, but is in fact a seed. This means that it is not only higher in protein than ordinary wheat but it is also gluten-free and therefore suitable for those who experience bloating and indigestion from eating wheat. Buckwheat is a rich source of B vitamins, minerals, and fiber and it also provides anti-ageing benefits thanks to its content of antioxidant flavonoids. Buckwheat has been found in studies to lower cholesterol.

Sea buckthorn
Sea buckthorn is a Himalayan shrub also known as ‘the Holy Fruit’; it has been popular in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries and is said to have been used by Ghengis Khan to fuel his plundering hordes. Its botanical name, Hippophae rhamnoides, means ‘tree that makes the horse shine’ - referring to its ability to make horses’ coats gleam with health. Sea buckthorn produces both seeds and berries, which contain a wide range of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants; the seeds also contain omega-7 fats which have been found to lower cholesterol levels and improve insulin sensitivity.

Wild mountain thyme (‘tumuro’)
‘Tumuro’ is a type of wild thyme which the Hunzakuts pick from the mountainside and use in cooking and to make herb tea. Thyme has antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and antioxidant qualities and is a popular folk remedy all over the world for coughs, colds and headache. Studies also show that thymol, the main active ingredient in thyme, increases healthy fat levels in cell membranes; other studies show anti-cancer and blood-pressure lowering properties of thyme.

Hemp seed
Like flax seed, hemp seed - a non-psychoactive relative of the cannabis seed - is an excellent source of both omega-3 and omega-6 fats. It also soaks up minerals and B vitamins from the soil, which are then delivered to the eater, and it is a complete source of protein, containing all eight amino acids. It is popular for use in making rope and cloth, thanks to its content of high-quality fiber, the ‘broom’ which ‘sweeps’ our intestines clean and helps remove toxins and excess cholesterol.


Hunza fruits:

Apricots
As you can tell from their color, apricots are a rich source of beta-carotene, an antioxidant which is known to have anti-cancer benefits and which protects our intestinal and respiratory health. They are also one of only a few food sources of lycopene, the antioxidant which is known to protect against prostate cancer. Apricots also provide copper, iron, potassium and fiber.

Mulberries
Mulberries can help keep the collagen in skin and arteries strong and elastic, thanks to their high content of vitamin C. As with other berries, mulberries are also a source of ellagic acid, a compound which causes cancer cells to self-destruct in a process known as ‘apoptosis.’ The powerful antioxidants found particularly in berries can help lower cholesterol levels and reduce the inflammation linked with chronic disease.

Apples
An apple a day has been found in studies to help keep colon cancer, liver cancer, diabetes, heart disease and asthma away. Apples contain high-quality soluble fiber which lowers cholesterol and helps keep the digestive tract healthy; the peel is especially beneficial as it contains antiviral and anti-tumor substances.

Cherries
Cherries are full of anthocyanins, which give them their deep red color, as well as anticancer ellagic acid, vitamin C, fiber, and another anticancer substance called perillyl alcohol. Cherries are a useful functional food for gout sufferers, and they may be able to aid sleep due to their content of melatonin which helps regulate our circadian rhythms.