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Uses of Millets:
Today, I want to share some fascinating and lesser-known uses of millets that you might not be aware of in 2024. These tiny superfood grains pack a punch not just nutritionally, but also in the variety of innovative products we can create. Let’s dive right in and explore the ten surprising uses of millets that can truly enhance our knowledge and lives.
1. Millet Milk: A Powerful Dairy-Free Alternative Milk
Millet milk is gaining popularity as an excellent dairy-free alternative. Made by soaking, blending, and straining millets, this nutritious beverage is perfect for those who are lactose intolerant or are seeking plant-based options. With its slightly sweet flavor, it can easily be added to smoothies, cereals, or enjoyed on its own.
Alt Foods is an innovative Indian company specializing in plant-based alternatives to dairy. They create plant-based milk crafted from grains and sprouted millets, designed to seamlessly replace traditional dairy products in daily use. The company was founded by Aman, Sweta, and Pavitra Khandelwal, who share a family bond and a passion for sustainable, health-conscious food options.
Nourish You is another company that produces Vegan and Plant-Based Millet milk made from a blend of three different millets – ragi, jowar, bajra, and oats. MILLET Milk is dairy-free, making it suitable for those who are lactose intolerant or following a vegan diet.
2. Uses of Millets as Cat Litter: Sustainable and Absorbent
Have you ever thought about what goes into your pet’s litter box? Millet husks are now being used to create eco-friendly cat litter! This biodegradable option is not only highly absorbent but also reduces waste in landfills. Making this switch not only benefits our feline friends but also the planet.
Lylli Pilly’s Millet Cat Litter is an all-natural, rock-solid clumping cat litter that is soft and gentle on your cat or kitten paws, offering a uniquely satisfying soft texture that cats love! It harnesses the power of enzymes to provide unparalleled odour control.
3. Uses of Millets in Biofuel: Powering Sustainable Energy
The rising petroleum prices and the significant contribution of fossil fuels to global warming have become pressing concerns worldwide. As we seek sustainable alternatives, biofuels represent the next generation of fuel, offering both economic benefits and, most importantly, environmental sustainability.
Sweet sorghum has the potential to become a major bioenergy crop, outperforming maize and sugarcane in productivity while requiring less water and fewer inputs. Recognizing its promise, sweet sorghum was included in the National Policy on Biofuels-2018, which expands the opportunities for first-generation ethanol production.
Sweet sorghum is an ideal choice due to its versatility, being easily propagated by seeds and allowing farmers to harvest 2-3 crops per year. Leading research institutions like IIMR, ICRISAT, and various R&D organizations are actively advancing the role of sweet sorghum in biofuel production, setting new milestones in the field.
A significant advantage of sweet sorghum in biofuel production is its ability to keep sugarcane processing factories operational throughout the year, further enhancing its value in the bioenergy sector.
4. Uses of Millets in Cutlery: Eco-Friendly Eating Utensils
Imagine eating your meals with utensils made from millets. Companies are now producing biodegradable cutlery from millet composite materials, which are not only stylish but also significantly reduce plastic waste. This innovative solution can make our dining experiences more sustainable.
Edible cutlery offers a sustainable alternative to plastic cutlery, crafted from a blend of millets, grains, spices, and pulses. This 100% natural, organic, vegetarian product is baked to perfection, ensuring it is both biodegradable and eco-friendly. Designed with hygiene and zero waste in mind, this cutlery aligns with sustainable living practices.
5. Uses of Millets in Making Millet Beer and Beverages: A Toast to Innovation
Raise your glasses to millet-based beer! Craft brewers are stepping up with creative millets like sorghum and finger millet to create gluten-free beers that are rich in flavor and health benefits. These beverages appeal not just to gluten-sensitive individuals but also to anyone seeking a unique taste experience.
Brewing with millets has long posed a challenge for many beer makers. However, Great State Aleworks, a brewery based in Pune, has successfully mastered the process.
6. Millet Oil: The Healthy Cooking Option
Millets offer a versatile range of uses, one of which is the extraction of millet oil from millet bran. This oil, particularly from foxtail millet bran, is typically considered a waste product in the cereal industry but holds significant potential as an alternative vegetable oil source.
Millet oil can be extracted using various methods, such as n-hexane extraction, supercritical carbon dioxide (SCE), and subcritical propane extraction (SPE). Among these, SPE has shown to be the most effective, yielding the highest oil content while also providing superior tocopherol levels and oxidative stability.
The extraction of oil from millet bran not only adds value to agricultural products but also contributes to environmental sustainability by repurposing what would otherwise be waste. As a result, millet oil is emerging as a valuable resource in the pursuit of alternative, eco-friendly vegetable oils.
7. Uses of Millets in Making Ice Cream:
Millet ice cream, an innovative dairy-free dessert, has gained popularity due to its nutritional benefits and unique taste. It is made from millets combined with high-quality ingredients, offering a healthier alternative to traditional ice creams.
Millet ice cream is crafted using millets as the primary ingredient, offering a non-dairy, nutritious option. It is often blended with various fruits and other natural ingredients sourced from local and organic farms, enhancing its flavor and health benefits. This innovative approach makes it a delightful treat for those seeking dairy alternatives without compromising on taste.
8. Uses of Millets in Crafts and Decoration:
Incorporating millets into our décor and crafts not only elevates the visual charm of our spaces but also nurtures a stronger bond with nature while promoting sustainability. By embracing these eco-friendly practices, we can enrich our lives with the natural beauty and versatility of millets, leading the way toward a greener and more conscious future.
Related Post: 10 Eco-Friendly Beautiful Decoration and Crafts Ideas with Millets
9. Uses of Millets in making Pillow:
Millets, particularly in the form of millet hulls, serve as an eco-friendly and beneficial filling for pillows. They offer unique advantages over traditional pillow fillings, enhancing comfort and supporting better sleep quality.
Millets, specifically the hulls, are processed through cleaning and grading. The hulls are a byproduct of the milling process, left behind. This makes them a sustainable option for fillings in pillows, utilized for their lightweight and quiet characteristics.
10. 100% Gluten Free Products:
For individuals with gluten intolerance or celiac disease, millets offer a safe and nutritious alternative to wheat and other gluten-containing grains. All millets are naturally gluten-free, making them suitable for those following a gluten-free diet. They can be used to make bread, cakes, cookies, and other baked goods without compromising on taste or texture.
Conclusion:
Millets are truly versatile grains that offer numerous benefits and applications. From their role as a nutritious food source to their use in sustainable agriculture, animal feed, biofuel production, and eco-friendly products like edible cutlery and cat litter, millets are making a significant impact.
Their inclusion in traditional and modern culinary practices, nutritional supplements, medicinal uses, and personal care products further underscores their importance. As the world looks towards healthier and more sustainable options, millets stand out as a valuable and multifaceted solution, ready to meet the diverse needs of both people and the planet.
Author: Tapas Chandra Roy, A Certified Farm Advisor on Millets, ‘Promoting Millets from Farm to Plate’ and an Author of the book -” Millet Business Ideas-Empowering Millet Startups”. In a mission to take the forgotten grains- Millets to Millions. To remain updated on my blogs on Millets please subscribe to my newsletter and for any queries please feel free to write to [email protected]
There is also “seed art,” in which the grains of different colors are arranged on a panel to make a picture. Millet grains can be and apparently are used in such projects. Apparently this is particular to parts of the US?
(Thanks to Robin Asbell of Minnesota for bringing it to our attention recently.)
Wow, great Sir.