Chengalikodan Nendran Banana, also known as ‘Chengazhikode’ Banana, is the most popular and traditional tasty Nendran cultivar of Thrissur district, Kerala, South India. This variety of Nendran banana is famous for its characteristic taste, bunch shape and fruit colour.
It is believed that the name “Chengalikodan” banana came from the term “Chengazhikode” banana which derived the name from the area of origin of this cultivar viz. Chengazhikode area, in Wadakkancherry block in Thrissur District. Chengazhikode area derived its name from ''Chengazhi Nambiyars”, the then land lords of the area.
Chengalikodan is a clone of Nendran under AAB Genome and Plantain sub-group.The uniqueness of product is maintained by adopting organic methods for cultivation and special bunch covering techniques using dry banana leaves.
Image Credit: gikerala.in
Fruits are very tasty with a sugar content of 26-30 percent and shelf life of 7-9 days. The fruits are long (21-25cm), have golden yellow colour for peel (rind) with red boarders/patches known as 'Kara'(meaning border in Malayalam).
The bunches are cylindrical in shape with fruits curved upward (obliquely, at 450 angle upward) position with a fruit length of 21-25cm. Cylindrical shape with slight ridges is the characteristic fruit feature of Chengalikodan banana. The mature fruits have pale yellow colour and on ripening turns to golden yellow colour with red boarders/patches which determines its beauty and market price.
Such beautiful bunches of Chengalikodan are particularly used as 'Kazhchakula' (Kazhcha means gift; Kula means bunch), to be given as offering in temples, especially in the famous Guruvayoor Temple, and also as gift bunches to relatives and friends as token of culture/gratitude during Onam season
At harvest for bunches expecting premium price, peduncle and male inflorescence rachis will be retained. The slightly curved fruits and long male inflorescence rachis gives a look of elephant tusk and trunk to the bunches. Those bunches which are attractive are selected to be given as 'Kazhchakula' (gift bunch) to temples and dignitaries.
Chengalikodan Nendran banana differs from other Nendran cultivars of Kerala in growth habit, areas of original cultivation, physico-chemical properties of fruit and shape of fruit and bunch.
Unlike other Nendran varieties having pronounced ridges for fruits, Chengalikodan banana fruits have slight ridges giving it a ridge-less round look. Compared to other Nendran banana, Chengalikodan banana peels easily both at maturity stage and at ripened fruit stage. The peel is very thin and the fruits have typical taste and flavor.
The tastiest Chengalikodan banana is mainly produced in the northern sides of Thrissur district, rich in laterite soil, and the water from rivers. Wadakkanchery river and its tributaries flowing through the cultivation areas make the land fertile and rich in organic matter adding to the attractiveness and taste of fruits.
GI Tag Registration Date : 25 March 2015
GI Tag Number : 479
Certificate Number : 228
Geographical Area : Kerala
Special Cover Release Date : 01 November 2021
Cancellation : Erumapetty 680 584
Type : GI Tag Cover
Cover Identification Number : KL-38/2021
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