What is Panch Phoron or Pancha Phutana(Crackling)?

Panch phoron or Pancha Phutana is a whole spice blend, originating from Eastern India, mainly in the Odisha, Bengal, Bihar, and Northeast India region and used especially in the cuisine of Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar, Northeastern India, Nepal, and Bangladesh.

What is the Five Spice Blend: A mixtures of Fenugreek (Methi seeds), Cummin Seeds (Jeera), Nigella Seeds( Kalonji), Fennel Seeds( Sauf), and Mustard Seeds ( Rayee) in equal proportion.

Panch Phoron

How to Use it: Take the Panch Phoron and put it in the hot oil/ghee for tempering. This tempering process is known as Baghaar in Oriya or Chaunk/Tadka in Hindi. Once the aroma starts coming out from the ingredients. add the vegetables or other ingredients to the frying pan. It also gives a pungent smell to the recipe.

Health Benefits

1. Fenugreek present keeps blood sugar in control and great for diabetics. It also gives you glowing skin and improves hair growth.
2. Cumin keeps digestive issues at bay and helps in the secretion of pancreatic juice that is good for your stomach as it accelerates digestion. Most of them drink jeera water for cooling down the stomach.
3. Nigella seeds also known as kalonji are very well-known for its health benefits. It is rich in sodium, iron calcium, and potassium and has been used in a number of medicines in Ayurvedic treatments. It is known to help relieve hypertension, diabetes, various types of aches, eye ailments, hair loss, jaundice, constipation, etc, endless list.
4. Fennel seeds are known to help lower blood pressure, cardiac issues, improve immunity. It helps relieve menstrual pain, curbs indigestion, constipation, and bloating. It also helps you lose weight, beat water retention, help solve skin problems and regulate blood pressure
5. Mustard seeds: Mustard seeds can help protect you from gastrointestinal cancer, curb symptoms of asthma, slow down aging, help you lose weight, and is extremely beneficial for rheumatoid muscle and arthritic pain

Few famous dishes made of Panch Phoron: Macher Jhol (Fish curry), Bangali dal,  Kumror(Pumkin) or Alu Kumrow Chhokka, Panch Phoron Tarkari etc.

Kumrow Chechki

Machher Jhol

Panch Phoron Torkari