Guwahati: Be it Assam, Odisha or Bihar, rice is the life of these states as people here can spend a day without chappatis (Roti), but they can't think of the same without rice. In this write-up we will go through the various types of rice found in Assam.
Though we enjoy having rice with stuffs like daal, sabzi and with nov-veg items but how many of us are aware of the fact that apart from satisfying our starving stomach, the rice also provides nutritional security. The rice in Assam is grown in a wide diverse situation.
Joha (aromatic), Bora (Waxy), Chokuwa (semiwaxy) and Red Bao (Deep and Floating) are the different types of rice found in Assam.
Firstly, these rice are grown to cater the household needs of farmers and cultivators use old traditional or cultivation practices. However, since long there hasn't been any improvement in the production of this rice.
Joha Rice is grown in the northeastern regions of India, especially in Assam. Due to it s unique fragrance, the rice is very popular in North Eastern region. It is also used as an effective medicine for blood pressure. Notably, Assam is the largest cultivator of this rice; it is primarily grown through paddy field farming. In Garo Hills it's widely cultivated and it is known as Jaha rice or locally known as mi Jaha.
Chokuwa rice is a winter rice variety and it's also an integral part of the Assamese meal, especially in Religious and social ceremonies. Recently, the rice variety 'chokuwa'have been listed under the coveted 124th Geographical Indications (GI) Registry Journal of 24 October.
Bora saul is one of the varieties found in Assam and during traditional occasions like Bihu, this variety of rice is eaten with served with Doi (curd), Gur (Jaggery) and Cream.
However, this rice is different from the rice consumed across India. The other variation of bora saul is kola (black) bora saul, or black sticky rice.
Bora saul is also used in making pitha (Rice cake) and it is also served as Jolpan (Snacks) with curd or milk, jaggery or sugar. There have also reports fo making Bora rice-based alcoholic bews.
Iron-rich 'red rice' is grown in the Brahmaputra Valley of Assam without the use of any chemical fertilizer. This variety of rice is referred to as 'Bao-dhaan', which is an integral part of the Assamese food culture.
Assam's Bao-dhaan is being exported to America now. In a major boost to India's rice exports, the first consignment of 'red rice' (Bao-dhaan) weighing 20 metric tonne was flagged off to USA in March this year.
The red rice is being sourced by leading rice exporter – 'LT Foods'.
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