Bhatt (Black Soybean)

In the mist-covered villages of Kumaon, Black Bhatt is not just a lentil; it is winter's warmth encapsulated in a seed. Indigenous to the high-altitude rain-fed fields of Uttarakhand, this black soybean is smaller, flatter, and far more potent than its commercial counterparts. For centuries, Kumaoni mothers have relied on Bhatt to keep their families warm during the harsh snowy months. Unlike regular soybeans, these are cultivated without any chemical fertilizers, drawing their nutrition directly from the mineral-rich Himalayan soil. In local folklore, Bhatt is considered 'Taasir-e-Garam' (hot in nature), making it a staple survival food for high-altitude trekkers and shepherds.