Chokuwa rice

About Chokuwa rice: 

• It is also known as Magic rice cultivated in Assam.
• It is a part of Assam culinary heritage, this unique rice has been a staple of the troops of the mighty Ahom dynasty.
• This unique and healthy rice is cultivated around the Brahmaputra River area.(In several parts of Assam like Tinsukia, Dhemaji and Dibrugarh etc.)
• It is basically semi-glutinous winter rice, known as Sali rice.
• The sticky and glutinous variety is categorized as Bora and Chokuwa based on their amylose concentration.
• The low amylase Chokuwa rice variants are used to make soft rice, which is known as Komal Chaul or soft rice.
• This whole grain can be consumed after soaking the rice in the cold or lukewarm water. This rice variety is widely consumed for its convenience of preparation and nutritional value.
• This unique rice variety is consumed with curd, sugar, jaggery, bananas to name a few.
• This rice is also used in making several Assamese delights like Pithe and other local dishes.

What is a Geographical Indication Tag?

• It is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.
• This is typically used for agricultural products, foodstuffs, wine and spirit drinks, handicrafts and industrial products.
• The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 seeks to provide for the registration and better protection of geographical indications relating to goods in India.
• This GI tag is valid for 10 years following which it can be renewed.

Q1) What is Amylose?

Amylose is a type of polysaccharide, which is a complex carbohydrate composed of multiple sugar molecules linked together. It is one of the two main components of starch, the other being amylopectin. Starch is the primary storage form of energy in plants, and it serves as a crucial source of nutrition for humans and animals that consume plant-based foods.

Source: What is Magic rice? What is special about this rice that it got GI tag