News Story
Environment
The Better India · 29 days ago
Kashmir’s Mawal Flower Revival Boosts Traditional Cuisine & Export Markets
In the fields of Kashmir, the Celosia cristata, known as cockscomb, blooms again, its once-forgotten beauty splashing crimson hues across the landscape and rekindling a cultural legacy. For generations, this vibrant flower infused Kashmiri cuisine with its natural red dye, coloring dishes like rogan josh in a tradition steeped in visual and culinary richness. In 2023, Kashmir marked a significant milestone, exporting 120 kg of dried mawal to the United States, a testament to its newfound importance. Farmers like Riyaz Ahmad Wani, bolstered by government support, are cultivating mawal once more, recognizing its potential as a low-maintenance yet high-value crop. As a symbol of sustainable farming and cultural endurance, mawal stands at the crossroads of tradition and modernity, inviting both local farmers and global markets to appreciate its multifaceted allure.
