SEED EXTRAORDINAIRE

SABJA ARE RICH IN FIBRE AND LEND THEMSELVES TO A VARIETY OF RECIPES

- VIBHA VARSHNEY

RENUKA VERMA, who runs Poushtik Bakes in Bengaluru, has found a nutritious and cost-effective substitute for eggs for her cakes, bread, and biscuits. Available online for ₹50-100 per 100 g, just a spoonful of her special ingredient—Sabja seeds—is enough for a fluffy cake batter.

Sabja is seeds of the tulsi plant found in Indian homes and used in tea to treat runny noses and sore throats. The herb falls under the genus Ocimum that has over 150 species across the world. While most species are found in tropical rainforests of Africa, India is considered its place of origin. Leaves of Ocimum sanctum (Ram and Shyam tulsi varieties or holy tulsi) are more commonly used; for seeds, Ocimum basilicum (babus tulsi or sweet basil) is the preferred species as it has a higher number of seeds per plant.