By Deepali Verma
December 22 2023
Embrace the rich and varied culinary history of the area with these extraordinary gems that will elevate your pantry.
Image Credit: Shutterstock
Famous as the "forbidden rice," the nutty-flavored Manipuri Chak Hao has been designated as a Geographical Indication (GI). It has a long history of use in kheer, but these days you can find it in modern risottos and spicy fried rice.
This little chilli pepper from Mizoram carries a GI label because of its powerful spiciness. Its heat elevates local dishes, featuring prominently in spicy chutneys and essential meat curry preparations.
Boka Saul, a GI-tagged mud rice variety from Assam, is a beloved variety. Soaking it and eating it with curd, jaggery, or for a savoury twist, butter and fried potatoes, is all it takes; it doesn't even need cooking.
The Kachai Champra lemon, which originates in the Kachai area of Manipur, is now officially recognised as a GI variety. It is perfect for sweet pickles and gives chapatis and parathas a flavour punch.
Declared the 'State Fruit,' Tripura's Queen Pineapple holds a GI tag. Its sweet taste and distinct aroma make it a sought-after export to destinations like Dubai and Bangladesh.
The pungent and high-quality ginger from Karbi Anglong, adorned with a GI tag, is exported in dried form. Two varieties, 'Nadia' and 'Aizol,' add robust flavour to global cuisines.
Litchis from Tezpur, which have a GI tag, are well-loved for their juicy texture and inherent sweetness. Bombaiya and Elachi, two popular kinds, are in great demand in several states.
The Khasi Mandarin is a GI-tagged variety that is grown only in the Indian state of Meghalaya. Not only is it a fruit, but its sweet and lemony flavour makes it a wonderful gift for locals that is thought to calm anger.
The biggest cardamom, which is grown mostly in Sikkim and has a GI tag, is used to flavour biryanis, tea, and pastries all over the country. Its organic farming is a boon to the economy of the state.