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Spices, native staples and natural essentials

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Red and yellow chillies, Kala Jeera, traditional hill pulses, a native herb and an eco-friendly household essential—available from our Shimla trading address.

Purple Bansafa flowers freshly gathered in the hills

Bansafa · Banafsha

A traditional hill herb.

Bansafa, also written as Banafsha, is a name used in the western Himalayas for violet herbs. Government forest references from Himachal Pradesh list Banafsha among the region's non-timber forest produce.

S.K. Traders offers the dried herb as a traditional hill product. Appearance and composition can vary by lot, so buyers should confirm the intended use, grade and supplied plant material before purchase.

Responsible-use note: This is not medical advice. Herbal products should not be used to diagnose, prevent or treat a condition without appropriate professional guidance.

Soapnuts · Reetha

Plant-based household utility.

Soapnuts are dried fruits traditionally known as reetha. Their shells naturally create a mild lather when agitated in water, making them useful in low-waste household washing routines.

They may be used in reusable wash bags or prepared as a strained liquid according to the buyer's preferred method. Keep the product dry during storage and away from children, eyes and accidental ingestion.

Pahari Rajmah

Short and long
hill varieties.

Rajmah is a recognised traditional foodgrain crop across Himachal Pradesh and is central to comforting dals, madra and rice-based meals.

Short and long red Pahari Rajmah varieties arranged together

Cook well

Soak. Boil. Enjoy.

Kidney beans must be soaked and boiled thoroughly before eating. Never eat raw or undercooked rajmah; follow reliable food-safety guidance and the cooking method appropriate to the supplied variety.

Whole black urad beans used for Pahari Maha Daal

Pahari Maha Daal · Sabut Urad

Hearty whole black gram.

Pahari Maha Daal is whole black urad, recognised by its dark skin and pale interior. It is suited to slow-cooked dal preparations where soaking and patient cooking create a rich, substantial texture.

Mash or maha daal also appears in descriptions of Himachali community feasts. For best results, sort and rinse the beans, soak as appropriate, and cook fully until tender.

Red chillies · Yellow chillies

Colour, aroma
and character.

S.K. Traders deals in both red and yellow chillies. The supplied variety, form, colour and heat can differ by season and lot, so buyers should confirm current specifications before purchase.

Whole spice

Red Chillies

Whole dried red chillies bring colour, aroma and warming heat to tadka, curries, pickles, chutneys and ground masala blends. Store the supplied lot in a cool, dry place away from moisture.

Distinctive spice

Yellow Chillies

These dried yellow chillies have a distinctive golden-orange appearance. Because cultivar, heat and supplied form may vary, contact S.K. Traders for the specifications of the current lot.

Handling note: Chilli heat varies. Avoid contact with eyes, wash hands and utensils after handling, and use according to your preferred heat level.

Kala jeera or black cumin seeds supplied by S.K. Traders

Kala Jeera · Black Cumin Seeds

Aromatic seed spice.

Kala jeera is valued for its warm, earthy aroma and is used in rice preparations, breads, vegetables, curries and spice blends. A small quantity can add a distinctive savoury character when toasted gently or added during cooking.

The name kala jeera is sometimes confused with kalonji, but they are sold as different spices. This page identifies the product according to the S.K. Traders product name and supplied photograph. Buyers should confirm the current lot, grade and intended use before purchase.

Storage: Keep the seeds sealed in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat and direct sunlight to help preserve their aroma.

Ask about the current hill-produce range and available lots.

Contact S.K. Traders

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