Bhutmuri is a traditional black husked, bold, non-scented, red rice of Rarh region (undulating red and laterite zone) of West Bengal. It originated in the district of West Midnapore but is quite popular in Bankura and Purulia districts as well. Bhutmuri means ‘Ghost’s head’ (‘bhut’ in Bengali is ghost and ‘muri’ here refers to the colloquial word for head), a name derived from its dark black husk and panicle. Among the local Santhali tribes of this region, this rice is highly valued for its taste and medicinal properties. Even a folk poem in Bengali, praising the rice varieties of olden days for their healing properties, mentions Bhutmuri rice as a cure for anemia. In a few of his articles, Debal Deb has mentioned that this rice is the one that made him inquisitive about folk rice of India and led him to research more about the available varieties and their benefits.
Description
CULTURAL AND ECOLOGICAL LIFE OF THE RICE
Being a highland rice variety, this does not require much water and after transplantation matures within 90-95 days (mid July-mid October). It is one of those winter or amon paddy that is harvested just after Durga puja (end of October). A conversation with Kunal Kushari who is trying to cultivate this rice organically on his farm in Bankura revealed that this rice does not need any fetiliser as the plant is already quite tall (150 cms) and the application of fertiliser will make it even taller and aggravate the problem of lodging or falling over when the grains set, causing spoilage–a common problem with desi varieties.
Often the name of another rice Kelas is interchangeably used for Bhutmuri, But Kelas is a similar variety but not same, as it is even richer in all the nutrients than Bhutmuri.
NUTRITIONAL AND MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
- …অসুখ-বিসুখে কবিরাজশাল পথ্যে গোবিন্দভোগ
ভূতমুড়ি ধানে সারে রক্তাল্পতা রোগ।’’
A Bengali folk saying: Kabirajshal is given to patients with long ailments, Gobindobhog is a supporting food along with medicine and Bhutmuri helps curing Anemia - This rice is naturally rich in iron, zinc, copper and B vitamin.
- This rice is rich in Thiamin and antioxidants.
- Its high fiber content and low glycemic index help to stabilize blood sugar levels and reduce insulin spikes in people suffering from diabetes.
- For many generations, it is believed to have restored blood in women during pregnancy and after childbirth. It also helps with peripartum anemia in women [Use of the starchy cooking water as a post-partum restorative reported also by Debal Deb, 2019]
- Dr. Kunal Kushari, who is cultivating this rice in Bankura, said that the local Santhali community reveres this rice for its taste and how even a low intake of it keeps them full for long.
CULINARY USES
- Because of its medicinal value it is always par-boiled and then hand or pedal pounded (dhenkichanta/ঢেঁকিছাঁটা), to retain the nutrient-rich bran.
- The tribal people of the region prefer to have it soft-cooked with extra water (congee/ phyanabhat/ ফ্যানাভাত). When had as table rice they drink the drained starch water (fyan, bhater mar/ ফ্যান/ ভাতের মাড় ) with salt and lemon as it contains a lot of valuable trace nutrients.
- Because of its bold, red grain this rice takes longer to cook and holds shape after cooking. This rice has never gained much popularity in the market so far. Hopefully now with the consumers being more aware it’s acceptability will improve.
- Old texts and stories refer that this rice makes very crispy muri (puffed rice), a very important staple snack of Bengal, but we could not find anyone making or selling it.
WHO GROWS THIS RICE & WHERE CAN I BUY?
- Gaota Khamar: Sima Kushari +91 92394 67319
SOURCES & FURTHER READING
- Farm visits and interaction with Dr. Kunal Kushari [Sayantani Mahapatra, 2022 -2024]
- Deb, Debal. 2019. Restoring Rice Biodiversity. Scientific American. 321. 54-61. 10.1038/scientificamerican1019-54. Also published as “The Struggle to Save Heirloom Rice,” October 1, 2019.
- Meher, Durgadatta & Samantara, Kajal & Behera, Abhilash & Mohapatra, Sourav. (2020). Folk Rice -Genetic Storehouse for Biofortification: A review. 10.22271/chemi.2020.v8.i2ab.9025.
- Mishra, Prashant Kumar & Sinha, Anjan. Rice diversity in the Bankura district of West Bengal. Bioscience Discovery, 3(3):284-287, Nov. 2012
Additional information
| Fragrance | Nonscented |
|---|---|
| Region of Origin | East |
| Grain Shape | long bold |
| Grain Colour | Brown |
