Shahtoot – Dried White Mulberries شہتوت

Description

Dried White Mulberries from Hunza Valley (Shahtoot / Biranch)

Something about dried mulberries catches people off guard the first time. They look unassuming, a little wrinkled, almost forgettable next to shinier fruits. But the moment you pop one in your mouth, that changes. There is a sweetness that sits somewhere between a raisin and a drop of honey, with a satisfying crunch that gives way to a soft, chewy core. These are not your average dried fruit, and once you know where they come from, they become even harder to put down.

In Gilgit-Baltistan, the mulberry tree is not just a fruit tree. It is woven into the culture, the diet, and the seasonal rhythm of the mountains. The white mulberry, known locally as Biranch in Burushaski and shahtoot in Urdu, grows wild across the valleys of Hunza. At harvest time, families hand-pick the berries at peak ripeness and spread them out to dry under the open sky. No additives, no preservatives, no shortcuts. Just fruit and sun, the way it has always been done.

Why White Mulberries Deserve a Spot in Your Kitchen

The dry mulberry benefits go well beyond taste. Mulberries are rich in vitamin C, vitamin K, and iron, alongside plant compounds like anthocyanins that contribute to their color and beneficial effects on health. Per serving, dried mulberries provide nearly 60% of the daily recommended intake of vitamin C, which is rare among dried fruits, and they contain roughly twice the iron of raisins, supporting energy and oxygen transport in the body. They are also naturally low in calories and contain no cholesterol, making them a smart addition to your daily diet without any guilt attached. For a deeper look at the nutritional profile of mulberries, Healthline has a thorough breakdown.

If you have been searching for a snack that actually does something for your body while still tasting like a treat, dried white mulberries in Pakistan are one of the better answers out there.

How to Eat Them

The beauty of dried mulberries is how versatile they are. Eat them straight from the bag as a quick snack and you get that signature crunch. Toss them over yogurt and granola for breakfast and they soften slightly as they absorb moisture, becoming almost jammy. They work just as well blended into a smoothie, folded into cake batter, stirred into a salad, or cooked down into a homemade jam.

A few ideas to get you started:

• Breakfast bowl: Mix into yogurt with a handful of walnuts and a drizzle of Hunza honey for a simple, nourishing start to the day
• Trail mix: Combine with almonds, apricot kernels, and dried apricots for a proper mountain-inspired snack
• Baking: Add to muffins, energy bites, or granola bars wherever you would normally reach for raisins

A Fruit That Feeds More Than One Thing

In Puniyal valley of Gilgit Baltistan, the mulberry means something beyond the fruit itself. The juice is extracted and used to make a naturally sweet candy called Kelawo, one of the most beloved traditional treats from the region. The juice is pressed and combined with walnuts, almonds, or apricot nuts to form these dense, chewy sweets that have been made in mountain homes for generations. If you want to try this taste of Gilgit-Baltistan, we carry all three: Walnut Kelawo, Almond Kelawo, and Apricot Kelawo.

White vs Black: Know the Difference

Not all shahtoot is the same. Two types of Mulberries are found in Gilgit-Baltistan. White mulberry (Morus alba) and Black mulberry (Morus nigra). White mulberries have a milder, honeyed sweetness and are what you will find in this listing. We also carry dried black mulberries, which have a deeper, tangier flavor and are higher in anthocyanins. Both are worth keeping in your pantry, but they each bring something different to the table.

More From Our Dried Fruits Range

If dried mulberries are new to you, they fit in well alongside everything else we source from Hunza and Gilgit-Baltistan. Some other favourites from our dried fruits collection:

• Dried Organic Figs (Local)
• Organic Dried Persimmons (Japani Phal)
• Dried Barberries (Zarshak Shireen)
• Organic Dried Apple from Hunza
• Organic Rough Dried Apricots
• Dried Sea Buckthorn Berry
• Dry Cherry
• Banana Chips
• Mix Dry Fruit
• Aalo Bukhara (Dried Plums / Prunes)

Available in 200g and 500g packs. Sun-dried, additive-free, and sourced straight from the orchards of Hunza Valley. If you have been meaning to try dried mulberries, this is a good place to start.

All health content on HunzaFoodways.com is provided for general information only and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your doctor or any other health care professional. Unless otherwise stated, all products are grown in natural environments without using preservatives or artificial flavors, but no product is lab tested and certified organic. Read the complete medical disclaimer.