Spike in sales of dry fruits, spices

Sales of dry fruits and spices have gone up after the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic in the city. Many people and their families are having dry fruits because they are a great source of antioxidants and nutrients. Some of the spices are said to boost immunity and, thus, they too are in high demand.

Begum Bazaar, the wholesale kirana market, has seen a sudden spike in the sale of dry fruits and spices. A few of the shops are also making home deliveries of these products.

With Coronavirus becoming the new normal, many families have included dry fruits and spices in their diet to boost their health and immunity levels, says Zeenath Fatima, a senior dietician with Continentaln Hospitals.

Md. Riyaz Khan of Kohinoor House in Begum Bazaar told Deccan Chronicle that their sales of dry fruits had doubled. Likewise is the case with a few spices, such as black pepper, cinnamon, cloves and nigella seeds (kalongi). “We supply monthly provisions to many households. After spread of Coronavirus, our customers have added dry fruits and spices to their list,” Riyaz Khan said. Mohd Ali of Guddu’s Dryfruit Hub says due to high demand, they are also offering discounts on these products.

Dr V.L.N. Sastry, MD (Ayurveda), retired additional director of department of AYUSH, said that though spices and dry fruits have high nutritional and medicinal values, they must be consumed after taking proper professional advice for best outcomes.