Kalanamak Rice from Siddharth Nagar, Uttar Pradesh is a distinctive rice variety known for its short to medium grains, dark color, and intense aroma. It boasts a unique nutty and earthy fragrance, making it a popular choice for special occasions and festive meals. It is not just a staple food; it's a cultural symbol, celebrated for its distinct characteristics and integral role in the culinary traditions of the region.
The name Kalanamk Rice has been derived due to its black husk (kala = Black, & the suffix 'namak' means salt). It is famous for its taste, palatability, and aroma. Also known as scented black pearl, this rice is a non-basmati rice with short to medium grain length.
Kalanamak Rice is in cultivation since the Buddhist period (600 BC) has been much popular in the Himalayan Tarai region of eastern Uttar Pradesh. The grains were found from excavation of Aligarhwa (district Siddharthnagar, Uttar Pradesh, India), located at Nepal border
The historical and cultural significance of Kalanamak rice cannot be overlooked. The rice is not just a staple food item but also has a deep-rooted history that is linked to Lord Buddha. The rice got its nickname "Buddha rice" because of the story of Buddha sowing it in a marshy place and its characteristic aroma.
The history of the rice goes that after enlightenment when Lord Buddha crossed Siddharthnagar, locals stopped to take his blessings and asked for some prasad, that’s when he just took a handful of paddy and gave it to them. He said "Sow it ...it has a special aroma...The fragrance will always remind people of me,".
And today, the rice is grown in Siddharthnagar, Maharajganj, Gonda, Sant Kabir Nagar and few other places. The fact that the rice still carries the same aroma and taste after thousands of years is nothing short of amazing.
Grains are medium-slender in shape, highly scented. It is interesting to know that the milled rice of kalanamak is white in color, and when cooked, it has a soft texture that is easy to digest. The unique blend of taste, aroma, and organoleptic properties make kalanamak rice a desirable and sought-after variety of rice.
Additionally, Kalanamak rice has better elongation when compared to other varieties of rice, which means that the cooked rice grains do not break easily and have a longer length. This property of kalanamak rice is particularly important for making dishes like biryani, pulao, and other rice-based dishes that require long and intact rice grains.
Health Benefits of Kalanamak Rice:
- Kalanamak rice acts as an antioxidant like anthocyanin, which assists in the prevention of cardiovascular disease and the advancement of skincare.
- Kalanamak rice includes a lot of micronutrients like zinc and iron. As a result, eating this rice is also said to protect against illness caused by zinc and iron deficits.
- It is claimed that eating Kalanamak rice on a regular basis can help prevent Alzheimer's disease.
- Kalanamak rice can also help strengthen, regrow, and galvanise the body, as well as help regulate blood pressure, diabetes, and skin damage.
GI Tag Registration Date : 09 September 2013
GI Tag Number : 205
Certificate Number : 194
Geographical Area : Uttar Pradesh
Special Cover Release Date : 29 September 2021
Cancellation : Siddarthnagar 272 207
Type : GI Tag - ODOP Cover
Cover Identification Number : UP/88/2021
This cover is primarily issued as part of promotion for UP State One District One Product initiative. However it is also a GI Tagged Product with GI Tag details on back side of the cover.
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