Mizo Chilli also referred locally as Hmarchte or Vaimarchaor, Mizoram Bird’s eye chilli and widely grown in the state of Mizoram. It is one of the most common crops grown in the state. It is grown for its pungency, spicy taste besides the appealing colour it adds to the food.
There are three major species of chilli Capsicum annum, Capsicum frutescens and Capsicum chinense. Most of the chilli varieties grown in India belongs to Capsicum annuum species, whereas the Mizo Chilli belongs to species Capsicum frutescens and it is exclusively grown in Mizoram and some parts of Manipur.
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Mizo Chilli variety is characterized by a bushy type of plant. The leaves are smooth oval shaped. Fruit are small sized pods and highly pungent. Colour of the mature fruit is dark red. It is named as Bird's Eye Chilli due to the bird's eye-like appearance when it is looked from end of the stem. The uniqueness of Mizo chillies is they are smaller in size and hotter than normal Indian red chillies.
Mizo Chilli cultivation is scattered all over the state of Mizoram. There are eight districts of Mizoram, where three different varieties/qualities of Mizo Chilli are being cultivated. All these varieties, viz., Grade A, Grade B and Grade C are considered to be same with minor difference in quality.
(a) Grade A: This is the smallest and most thin variety which is most pungent among all. It is considered to be of the best quality and fetches the highest demand in the market. The chilli powder of this variety can be identified because of the slight difference of colour. Its colour is more shiny red in comparison of other two varieties.
(b) Grade B: The Grade B type of chilli is slightly thicker than the Grade A and marginally longer in size. The colour of dried red chilli changes to dark red and pungency is slightly less.
(c) Grade C: This is almost similar to grade B in other properties but the size is a bit longer than other varieties of this segment.
The high availability of potash in the Jhum lands is believed to be responsible for the distinctive red colour of the Mizo chilly. The blood red color of this chilli is different from any other varieties available in market
It is used for spicy cuisine in pickles, chutnies and hot sauces to be served with noodles and has a very high demand in neighbouring states and countries like China, Thailand, Vietnam and Bangladesh and therefore, the major share of the produce is exported outside the state.
GI Tag Registration Date : 23 March 2015
GI Tag Number : 377
Certificate Number : 223
Geographical Area : Mizoram
Special Cover Release Date : 25 November 2021
Cancellation : Aizawl 796 001
Type : GI Tag Cover
Cover Identification Number : NE/13/2021-2022
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Enlarged View of Cancellation
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