High in vitamin C, adapted to one of India's harshest landscapes and now protected by a Geographical Indication tag, Ladakh's seabuckthorn is attracting growing attention as a distinctive Himalayan superfood.
Seabuckthorn is a thorny shrub that produces small orange-yellow berries with a naturally sharp and sour flavour. In Ladakh, the plant thrives in the region's cold, dry and high-altitude environment, where conventional agriculture can be difficult. The fruit is locally associated with names such as Leh Berry and Tsesta Lulu, while its golden colour has earned it the popular nickname “Ladakh Gold.”
Is it really richer in vitamin C than oranges?
Yes, seabuckthorn is exceptionally rich in vitamin C, but the often-repeated “10 times more than orange” figure should be treated as an approximate claim rather than a universal rule.
A scientific review records 275 mg of vitamin C per 100 grams in seabuckthorn from Ladakh, compared with about 50 mg per 100 grams in orange. That particular comparison makes the Ladakh berry roughly five to six times richer in vitamin C. Research across different seabuckthorn varieties has found an even wider range of vitamin-C concentrations, which explains why larger comparisons are sometimes reported.
More than just vitamin C
The nutritional appeal of seabuckthorn goes beyond vitamin C. The berries contain vitamin E, carotenoids, several B vitamins, minerals and a variety of antioxidant compounds. Its pulp and seeds also contain oils rich in fatty acids, giving the plant applications in food, beverages, cosmetics and wellness products.
A GI-tagged treasure of Ladakh
Ladakh seabuckthorn received official Geographical Indication registration in June 2023, recognizing the product's regional identity. The GI registry lists Ladakh's Industries and Commerce Department as the applicant and records the registration certificate dated June 22, 2023.
The fruit's combination of nutritional value, resilience and potential for local livelihoods has made seabuckthorn an increasingly important natural resource for Ladakh. Its growing popularity also offers opportunities for farmers and local businesses to develop juices, preserves, extracts and other value-added products.
For consumers, however, the key takeaway is simple: seabuckthorn genuinely stands out for its unusually high vitamin-C content, but claims such as “10 times more than orange” depend on which variety and nutritional measurements are being compared.
The Bharatio Times | INDIA NEWS
Seabuckthorn is a thorny shrub that produces small orange-yellow berries with a naturally sharp and sour flavour. In Ladakh, the plant thrives in the region's cold, dry and high-altitude environment, where conventional agriculture can be difficult. The fruit is locally associated with names such as Leh Berry and Tsesta Lulu, while its golden colour has earned it the popular nickname “Ladakh Gold.”
Is it really richer in vitamin C than oranges?
Yes, seabuckthorn is exceptionally rich in vitamin C, but the often-repeated “10 times more than orange” figure should be treated as an approximate claim rather than a universal rule.
A scientific review records 275 mg of vitamin C per 100 grams in seabuckthorn from Ladakh, compared with about 50 mg per 100 grams in orange. That particular comparison makes the Ladakh berry roughly five to six times richer in vitamin C. Research across different seabuckthorn varieties has found an even wider range of vitamin-C concentrations, which explains why larger comparisons are sometimes reported.
More than just vitamin C
The nutritional appeal of seabuckthorn goes beyond vitamin C. The berries contain vitamin E, carotenoids, several B vitamins, minerals and a variety of antioxidant compounds. Its pulp and seeds also contain oils rich in fatty acids, giving the plant applications in food, beverages, cosmetics and wellness products.
A GI-tagged treasure of Ladakh
Ladakh seabuckthorn received official Geographical Indication registration in June 2023, recognizing the product's regional identity. The GI registry lists Ladakh's Industries and Commerce Department as the applicant and records the registration certificate dated June 22, 2023.
The fruit's combination of nutritional value, resilience and potential for local livelihoods has made seabuckthorn an increasingly important natural resource for Ladakh. Its growing popularity also offers opportunities for farmers and local businesses to develop juices, preserves, extracts and other value-added products.
For consumers, however, the key takeaway is simple: seabuckthorn genuinely stands out for its unusually high vitamin-C content, but claims such as “10 times more than orange” depend on which variety and nutritional measurements are being compared.
The Bharatio Times | INDIA NEWS