Activated Barnyard Millet Flour 500g
₹ 170.00
15.2mg iron per 100g — nearly 90% of the daily requirement in a single 100g serving. Barnyard millet (Sanwa/Oodalu) is the iron champion of Indian millets. Activate it, and th... Read more ↓
100% Organic
No Additives
Free Delivery ₹499+
100% Organic Activated Barnyard Millet (Sanwa / Oodalu / Jhangora / Kuthiraivali). Vegan. Naturally gluten-free. No preservatives, no additives, no artificial flavours or colours.
Nutrition FactsServing: 30g (3 tbsp)
| Nutrient | Per serving | Per 100g | % RDA* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy | 103 kcal | 342 kcal | 5.1% |
| Protein | 3.4g | 11.2g | 6.7% |
| Carbohydrates | 19.7g | 65.5g | 6.6% |
| Of which Sugars | 0.18g | 0.6g | 0.4% |
| Total Fat | 1.1g | 3.6g | 1.7% |
| Of which Saturated Fat | 0.24g | 0.8g | <1% |
| Dietary Fibre | 3g | 10.1g | 12.1% |
| Sodium | 4.2mg | 14mg | <1% |
| Iron | 4.6mg | 15.2mg | 26.8% |
| Calcium | 3.3mg | 11mg | <1% |
| Magnesium | 39.6mg | 132mg | 9.9% |
| Zinc | 0.9mg | 3mg | 7.5% |
* % RDA based on a 2000 kcal reference diet (FSSAI). Values are approximate and may vary by batch.
We deliver across India within 3–5 business days via trusted logistics partners.
- Free delivery on orders above ₹499.
- Orders dispatched within 1 business day of payment confirmation.
- Perishable goods cannot be returned once dispatched. Non-perishable items may be returned within 7 days in original, unopened condition.
- For damaged or incorrect items, contact info@dhatuorganics.com within 48 hours of delivery.
Choose Your Pack
15.2mg iron per 100g — nearly 90% of the daily requirement in a single 100g serving. Barnyard millet (Sanwa/Oodalu) is the iron champion of Indian millets. Activate it, and that iron is actually available for your body to absorb.
What is Activated Barnyard Millet Flour?
Known as Sanwa (Hindi), Oodalu (Kannada), Kuthiraivali (Tamil/Malayalam), and Jhangora (Uttarakhand), barnyard millet (Echinochloa frumentacea) is one of India's most nutritionally impressive grains — and one of its most underutilised. It is particularly well-known as the traditional grain for Hindu fasting days (Navratri, Ekadashi, Chaturthi) because it is not a grass-family cereal and is permitted in most vrat (fasting) traditions.
"Activated" means the grain has been soaked overnight before milling. This activates phytase, an enzyme that breaks down phytic acid — the antinutrient that binds to iron and prevents its absorption. Without activation, much of barnyard millet's exceptional iron content is unavailable to the body. With activation, iron bioavailability improves by 30–50%.
Key Benefits — Validated by Data
- 15.2mg iron per 100g — one of the highest plant-based iron contents of any food. Compare: palak (spinach) has 2.7mg, rajma has 3mg, whole wheat has 3.5mg. Barnyard millet provides nearly 90% of adult daily iron (RDA: 17mg) per 100g. (Source: ICMR-NIN Nutritive Value of Indian Foods, 2017)
- Activation improves iron absorption by 30–50% — phytic acid in non-activated barnyard millet binds iron, blocking absorption. Overnight soaking activates phytase which breaks this down, releasing free ionic iron that the body can absorb. (Sandberg, 2002; Leder et al., 2004)
- 132mg magnesium per 100g — among the highest of any millet. Magnesium is involved in 300+ enzymatic reactions and is essential for energy production, muscle relaxation, and nerve signalling.
- 10.1g dietary fibre per 100g — excellent for gut health, slowing glucose absorption, and supporting healthy cholesterol levels.
- Low glycaemic index (~50) — significantly lower than wheat-based or rice-based alternatives. Makes it one of the best grains for blood sugar management. (Shobana et al., 2009)
- Ideal for anaemia management — the combination of high iron and activation-improved bioavailability makes this one of the most effective plant-based foods for addressing iron deficiency. Pair with Vitamin C (lemon juice, tomatoes) to further enhance absorption by 3–6x.
- Permitted for Hindu fasting — Sanwa is one of the few grains permitted during Navratri, Ekadashi, and other vrat traditions, making this flour uniquely versatile for the Indian kitchen.
- Gluten-free — naturally safe for coeliac disease and wheat allergy.
Iron Content Comparison (per 100g)
| Food Source | Iron (mg) | % Adult Daily RDA (17mg) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dhatu Activated Barnyard Millet Flour | 15.2mg | ~89% | Bioavailability improved by activation |
| Regular Barnyard Millet Flour | 15.2mg | ~89% | Lower bioavailability (phytate intact) |
| Sprouted Bajra Flour | 8mg | 47% | Highest iron millet after barnyard |
| Whole Wheat Flour | 3.5mg | 21% | Common daily grain |
| Palak (Spinach), raw | 2.7mg | 16% | Commonly cited iron source |
| Rajma (Kidney Beans) | 3mg | 18% | Per 100g cooked |
| White Rice | 0.3mg | 2% | Very low iron |
Sources: ICMR-NIN Nutritive Value of Indian Foods (2017); USDA FoodData Central. RDA based on FSSAI 2000 kcal reference diet (17mg iron for adults).
How to Use
- Vrat / fasting recipes — use in sanwa khichdi, upma, halwa, and thalipeeth during Navratri and other fasts
- Rotis and phulkas — mix with a small amount of amaranth flour for softer texture; cook like wheat roti
- Dosas and cheelas — blend with rice flour (60:40) for crispy, iron-rich dosas
- Porridge — cook with water or milk for a high-iron, gut-friendly breakfast
- Baby food — an excellent weaning grain for babies from 6 months; high iron supports neurological development
- Khichdi — cook with moong dal for a complete protein + iron meal in one pot
- Laddoos — roast lightly with ghee, mix with jaggery, nuts, and cardamom
Why the Iron Content Matters More with Activation
Raw, non-activated barnyard millet contains phytic acid — a phosphate compound that forms insoluble complexes with iron, zinc, and calcium. In this bound form, minerals pass through the digestive tract without being absorbed. In a 2002 review in Food Chemistry, Sandberg demonstrated that phytate reduction through soaking or germination can improve iron absorption by up to 3-fold in cereal-based foods. By activating barnyard millet before milling, Dhatu ensures that its exceptional 15.2mg of iron per 100g is actually accessible to your body.
Frequently Asked Questions
Activated barnyard millet flour (Sanwa / Oodalu / Kuthiraivali) is made by soaking organic barnyard millet overnight to neutralise antinutrients, then sun-drying and cold-milling. Barnyard millet is one of the highest-iron millets at 15.2mg per 100g — and activation significantly improves iron bioavailability by removing the phytic acid that typically binds to it.
Barnyard millet (Sanwa) has long been the preferred grain for Hindu fasting days (Navratri, Ekadashi) because it is considered a non-cereal grain. Its light, easy-to-digest nature, combined with high fibre and protein content, keeps you satiated for longer. It is used to make vrat ki khichdi, upma, halwa, and thalipeeth.
Barnyard millet is one of the richest plant-based sources of iron, providing 15.2mg per 100g — close to 90% of the daily requirement. Activating the millet removes phytic acid, which normally inhibits iron absorption, making the iron in our flour significantly more bioavailable. Pair it with a source of Vitamin C (like lemon juice or tomatoes) to further enhance absorption.
Yes, barnyard millet is 100% gluten-free and safe for people with coeliac disease or gluten intolerance. It is processed in our dedicated gluten-free facility. It is also suitable for people with wheat allergies.
Barnyard millet flour has dramatically more iron (15.2mg vs 3mg per 100g), significantly higher fibre (10.1g vs 2.7g), and a lower glycaemic index than whole wheat flour. It is also gluten-free. The activated version further improves on all these numbers by improving mineral bioavailability. The only trade-off is a slightly denser texture in baked goods.
Barnyard millet flour is excellent for rotis, dosas, cheelas, vrat recipes, porridge, and as a thickener in soups and gravies. Because it has a mild, slightly nutty flavour, it blends well with other flours. Try mixing 60% barnyard millet flour with 40% rice flour for crispy dosas, or use it solo for soft phulkas.