Pahadi Tor (Toor Dal)

Pahadi Tor is smaller, sweeter, and earthier than the Desi Toor dal found in the plains. Grown on the terraced step-farms of Uttarakhand, this lentil is rain-fed and sun-dried, preserving its natural oils. In Pahadi culture, Tor dal is considered a 'comfort food'—simple, nutritious, and easy on the stomach. It is often the first solid food given to babies in the hills because of its digestibility. The farmers practice mixed cropping, growing Tor alongside millets, which naturally enriches the soil with nitrogen, ensuring the crop is sustainable and chemical-free.