Chasku Powder

Chasku Powder is finely ground from the seeds of Cassia absus. It has an earthy aroma, a mild bitterness, and a warm, slightly nutty taste that sits behind other ingredients rather than covering them.

The plant is native to India and the surrounding regions, and the powder has long been part of South Asian folk practice, particularly in Ayurvedic and Unani culture.

The powder is a fine, earthy brown and is also sold under the names chaksu, chakshu and chaksu powder. It keeps well in a sealed jar, so it is easy to have on hand for spice blends and traditional recipes.

How to use it

Stir it into herbal teas, tonics and spice blends, where it adds a warm, mildly nutty depth. It is often lightly toasted first, or blended with honey, and it suits infusions, herbal drinks and traditional ritual-based preparations. Toast it briefly and gently: it is already ground, so it colours fast and turns harsh if the pan runs too hot.

Details

Also known as

Chasku, Chaksu, Chakshu, Cassia Seeds, Barikai
Arabic: بذور الكاسيا
Hindi: चक्शु बीज (Chakshu Beej)
Urdu: چشمک دانہ (Chashmak Dana)
Sanskrit: चक्षुषा (Chakshusha)
Tamil: செங்காத்து விதை
Bengali: চকশু বীজ
French: Graine de Cassia
Spanish: Semilla de Cassia