Pure From The
Mountains

Hunza apricots are among the most nutrient-dense dried fruits in the world. Grown at over 2,500 metres on glacial mineral-rich soil, they contain high levels of beta-carotene, iron, potassium, and dietary fibre. Unlike commercially dried apricots, Hunza apricots are sun-dried without sulphur dioxide preservatives, preserving their natural enzymes and antioxidants. They have been linked to improved eye health, better digestion, and sustained energy — and are a traditional staple of the Hunzakut diet, renowned for its association with longevity.

The Hunza Valley diet is built on whole, unprocessed foods grown in mineral-rich glacial soil. The core pillars are: dried apricots and apricot kernel oil as primary fat sources, walnuts and almonds for protein and omega-3s, wild-harvested herbal teas instead of caffeine, raw honey as the only sweetener, and fermented dairy in small quantities. Hunzakuts eat seasonally, fast intermittently during winter, and consume very little meat. This combination of high-antioxidant plant foods, low sugar, and clean mountain water is credited by researchers studying Blue Zones as a key factor in their exceptional health.

The Hunzakuts — the people of Hunza Valley in Pakistan — have long been noted by researchers and travellers for their exceptional vitality well into old age. Several factors are credited: their diet of organic, mineral-rich whole foods (particularly apricots, walnuts, and wild herbs); glacial water high in silica and trace minerals; high-altitude living that encourages physical activity; low-stress, community-centred lifestyles; and centuries of traditional agricultural knowledge that keeps their food supply free of chemicals. While extraordinary age claims are difficult to verify, their diet and lifestyle remain a genuine subject of nutritional research.

Farming in the Karakoram region of Gilgit-Baltistan is naturally organic by geography. The extreme altitude, harsh winters, and isolation make pesticide-intensive farming impractical — and culturally, Hunzakut farmers have worked the same terraced plots for generations using composted organic matter, glacier meltwater irrigation, and seed varieties passed down over centuries. The soil is deep alluvial silt built up over millennia of glacial deposits, extraordinarily mineral-rich. There are no industrial farms here — every orchard is family-owned and hand-harvested, which is why produce from this region carries a quality and purity that certified organic farms at lower altitudes rarely match.

Hunza apricot kernel oil has two main uses. For cooking, it has a light, slightly nutty flavour and a high smoke point, making it excellent for sautéing, salad dressings, and drizzling over dishes — the Hunzakuts have used it as their primary cooking oil for centuries. For skin and hair, it absorbs quickly without greasiness, deeply moisturises dry skin, conditions hair and scalp, and is rich in vitamins A and E. Apply a few drops to damp skin after bathing, or work a small amount through the ends of hair before washing. It is one of the most versatile oils from the Karakoram and a cornerstone of traditional Hunza beauty and nutrition.

Pakistan — particularly the Hunza Valley and Gilgit-Baltistan region — produces some of the world's finest wild-harvested herbal teas. The most prized include Wild Herbal Tea blended from mountain herbs growing above 3,000 metres, Morinda (Mulberry root) tea used traditionally for joint health, Rosehip tea from wild Karakoram roses rich in vitamin C, and Apricot blossom teas harvested in spring. These teas grow in pristine high-altitude conditions entirely free from pollution and agricultural chemicals. Unlike commercially farmed teas, Hunza herbal teas are hand-picked from wild plants, sun-dried at altitude, and retain their full aromatic and therapeutic compounds — making them genuinely different from anything available in a supermarket.