Jeeraphool is a short grained aromatic white rice that grows in the Northern hills of Chhattisgarh. Each district in the region has a specific aromatic rice associated with it: Vishnubhog in Pendra, Shyamjeera of Surajpur, Bisni of Bagicha, Badshahbhog of Jagdalpur—and Jeeraphool of Ambikapur, Surguja district. This late maturing tall paddy has long panicles (up to 33mm) and a grain size of less than 4 mm, but which elongates on cooking. The endosperm has a distinctive translucent quality and almost zero chalkiness. The L:B ratio of 2.13 gives the paddy a slender appearance and with the husk coloration both convey the impression of cumin seeds.
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Description
THE CULTURAL & ECOLOGICAL LIFE OF THIS RICE
Jeeraphool is a short grained aromatic white rice that grows in the Northern hills of Chhattisgarh. Although a lowland variety, it can be cultivated in various kinds of land like bunded uplands, bunded lowland and extreme lowlands. It specifically requires medium to heavy soil, locally known as Matasi and Kanhar.
The plant takes about 110 days to start flowering and about 140-145 days to mature. It is harvested when 75 percent of the grains have matured. It is manually threshed, winnowed and then sun-dried till the moisture content comes down below 14 percent.
As with many other GI applications, here, too the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Surguja. under the administration of lndira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya (IGKV) had come in to aid farmers to increase productivity, market integration and so on. They created the ‘Javik Krishi Utpadak Sahkari Samiti Maryadit’ to organize production, seed distribution, and marketing.
The GI application for Jeeraphool highlights the historical connection of this rice with the region of Sarguja. It mentions its ceremonial use during the reign of Maharaja Ambikeshwar Sharan Singhdev and the variety being cultivated in the lands owned by the royal family of Surguja Riyasat. Another historical record of the usage of this rice comes from the Mahamaya temple in Ambikapur where Jeeraphool kheer was offered as ‘bhog’ at least since the late 19th century. The application is based on the fact that Jeeraphool acquires its unique character and aroma only in the specific locations of Bansajha, Batauli, Ambikapur, l,akhanpur, Udaipur, Sitapur, Lundra and Mainpat areas of the district, and thanks to the organic methods of the farmers in the region.
Other names for this rice: Jeeraphul, Jeeraful
NUTRITIONAL AND MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
- Low to moderate amylose content means that this grain will be good for quick energy and digestibility.
CULINARY USES
- Moderate amylose content (according to GI tag application materials) make for a rice that can be “flaky” but also soft on cooking.
- Patel and Srivastava’s 2015 survey of aromatic rice in Chhattisgharh, however, shows very low amylose values, suggesting that this is will be a soft-cooking rice—keeping discreet grains will involve monitoring the cooking closely.
- Jeeraphool rice is used is religious ceremonies and weddings, and—as with all aromatic varieties—beloved for kheer, requiring no additional flavoring to enhance an already unique taste
- This aromatic rice is also for making pulao. The grains can remain discrete with some care in cooking. They also demonstrate significant lengthwise elongation during cooking, almost twice its original length.
- The tribals of Surguja use it for making a local dish Basi bhat
- Jeeraphool flour is used for preparing a variety of dishes like chausela, anarsa, fara, chawal, roti and cheela.
WHO GROWS THIS RICE & WHERE CAN I BUY?
- It is available in fairs like Sisir Saras where SHG groups form various states showcase their products.
- TribesIndia [sources tribal produce and handicrafts across India]
- Other Possible Sources
SOURCES & FURTHER READING
- GI application for Jeeraphool rice: View all the documents here
- Patel, Nirmala Bharti and Rajeev Srivastava. “DUS Study of aromatic Rices of Chhattisgarh, India.” Plant Archives Vol. 15 No. 1, 2015. pp. 363-369
Additional information
| Region of Origin | East |
|---|---|
| Grain Shape | long slender |
| Grain Colour | White |
| Fragrance | Strong aroma |
