At Cross Avenue, we take pride in our “Eat Smart Initiative”, which promotes healthy and nutritious meals using fresh, seasonal, and local ingredients. As a part of this initiative, we have been promoting millets, which are packed with nutrients and have a low water footprint compared to rice and wheat. But did you know that millets are also being studied for their potential in space exploration?

The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), in collaboration with NASA, recently conducted experiments on growing millets in space. The idea behind the experiment is to test if millets can be grown in zero gravity and if they can provide a sustainable source of food for astronauts on long space missions. The results of the experiment were promising, and the researchers found that millets not only survived but also adapted well to the microgravity environment.

Back on earth, we are proud to use millet in our healthy and delicious preparations. Our Executive Chef Anuj Kapoor has been leading the way in incorporating millets into our menu offerings, which promote not only healthy eating but also support sustainable agriculture. Millets are a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from savory to sweet. We have been using millet in our salads, soups, and desserts, replacing sugar with jaggery, sugarcane juice, and dates.

At Cross Avenue, we believe that the future of food lies in sustainable and nutritious ingredients, and millets are a perfect example of that. By promoting millets in our menu and supporting initiatives like the ISRO-NASA experiment, we are taking a small but significant step towards a healthier and more sustainable future.

Join us in celebrating the International Day of Human Space Flight by indulging in healthy and delicious millet-based dishes at Cross Avenue.

Reference:
“India’s space agency and students grow nutritious space food” (Reuters): https://www.reuters.com/article/india-space-food/indias-space-agency-and-students-grow-nutritious-space-food-idUSL4N2HK16X

“Millets, organic farming take root in villages near spaceport” (The Hindu Business Line): https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/science/millets-organic-farming-take-root-in-villages-near-spaceport/article34104457.ece

“From farm to space: How Indian millet is powering NASA’s Mars mission” (India Today): https://www.indiatoday.in/science/story/nasa-mars-mission-indian-millet-1677431-2020-05-22 “Space farming: Growing crops without soil or sunlight” (BBC Future): https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20190130-how-to-grow-plants-in-space-without-astronauts.