Lorrine11I at 10:36, 26 February 2025

2025-02-26T10:36:05Z

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{{Short description|Type of non-Basmati aromatic rice from Uttarakhand, India}}
{{Infobox geographical indication
| name = Uttarakhand lal chawal (red rice) - उत्तराखंड लाल चावल
| image =
| alt =
| caption =
| alternative names = Garhwali red rice, Lal Chawal
| description =Uttarakhand lal chawal (red rice) is an aromatic rice cultivated in [[Uttarakhand]]
| type =[[Aromatic rice]]
| area = Uttarakhand
| country = [[India]]
| registered = 8 November 2023
| material =
| official website ={{URL|https://search.ipindia.gov.in/GirPublic/Application/Details/852|ipindia.gov.in}}}}

'''Uttarakhand ''lal chawal'' (red rice)''' is a variety of non-[[Basmati]], aromatic, red colored [[rice]] mainly grown in the [[State of India|Indian state]] of [[Uttarakhand]]. This rice variety is grown in the high-altitude regions of Uttarakhand. It is a common and widely cultivated crop in Purola, Mori, and surrounding areas in [[Uttarkashi district|Uttarkashi]] district.<ref name=":1">{{cite news |title=Uttarkashi’s red rice gets 2nd spot in ODOP Awards |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/uttarkashis-red-rice-2nd-spot-in-odop-awards-2023/articleshow/106558238.cms |access-date=26 November 2024 |work=The Times of India |date=5 January 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=On-farm status of rice (Oryza sativa L.) genetic resources in Garhwal Himalaya of Uttarakhand, India |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/271738723_On-farm_status_of_rice_Oryza_sativa_L_genetic_resources_in_Garhwal_Himalaya_of_Uttarakhand_India |website=ResearchGate GmbH |access-date=26 November 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=The Purola Story: How an Uttarakhand town discovered ‘love jihad’ |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/express-sunday-eye/the-purola-story-how-an-uttarakhand-town-discovered-love-jihad-8682339/ |access-date=26 November 2024 |work=The Indian Express |date=23 June 2023 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Kalyanaraman |first1=Srini |title=श्येन syenaciti vedi discovered in Purola, Uttarakhand and links with pola 'magnetite', polad, faulad 'steel', on Vedic River Sarasvati Basin |url=https://www.academia.edu/20376562/%E0%A4%B6_%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A8_syenaciti_vedi_discovered_in_Purola_Uttarakhand_and_links_with_pola_magnetite_polad_faulad_steel_on_Vedic_River_Sarasvati_Basin |website=Academia |access-date=26 November 2024}}</ref>

Under its [[Geographical Indications in India|Geographical Indication]] tag, it is referred to as "Uttarakhand Lal Chawal (Red Rice)".<ref name=":0" />

==Name==
Uttarakhand ''lal chawal'' is a prized crop in Uttarakhand and so named after it. The word "laal" means red (referring to its color) and "chawal" means rice in the state language of [[Hindi language|Hindi]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kandavel |first1=Sangeetha |title=Products from Uttarakhand bag GI tags |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/products-from-uttarakhand-bag-gi-tags/article67518091.ece |access-date=26 November 2024 |work=The Hindu |date=9 November 2023 |language=en-IN}}</ref>

===Local name===
It is known locally as [[Garhwal division|Ghadwali]] red rice, or simply as Laal Chawal.<ref name=":1" />

==Description==
Uttarakhand Lal Chawal (Red Rice) from the [[Himalayas]] is distinct in taste, texture, color, aroma, and flavor. This uniqueness is attributed to the heavy rainfall in the high-altitude regions and organic cultivation methods.<ref>{{cite news |title=Try this recipe for nutritious Ghadwali red rice |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/parenting/nutrition/recipe-gluten-free-ghadwali-red-rice-5334267/#:~:text=cuisines%20of%20India.-,Ghadwali%20red%20rice%2C%20more%20popularly%20known%20as%20Laal%20Chawal%2C%20is,as%20it%20is%20gluten%2Dfree.&text=Bring%20water%20to%20a%20boil,with%20a%20ladle%20before%20serving. |access-date=26 November 2024 |work=The Indian Express |date=31 August 2018 |language=en}}</ref> These conditions nourish the rice, resulting in a firm texture, nutty flavor, and distinct aroma.<ref name=":1" />

Some of the characteristics of this rice are:<ref name=":0" />

===Nutritional and health benefits===
* It offers numerous nutritional and health benefits, being rich in fiber, minerals, antioxidants, Vitamin B1, and Vitamin E, with 10 times more antioxidants than regular rice, and is also a good source of iron. Its health benefits include fighting cholesterol due to the presence of 'monacolin K', aiding in weight management by providing energy and facilitating faster food breakdown, and supporting digestive health through its dietary fiber, which helps eliminate toxins and supports nutrient absorption.

===Culinary uses===
* It is used to make milk '[[Kheer]]' and [[Jeera bhaat|Jeera rice]].

==Geographical indication==
It was awarded the [[List of geographical indications in India|Geographical Indication]] (GI) status tag from the [[Geographical Indication Registry (India)|Geographical Indications Registry]], under the [[Government of India|Union Government of India]], on 8 November 2023.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |title=Uttarakhand Lal Chawal (Red Rice) |url=https://search.ipindia.gov.in/GIRPublic/Application/Details/852 |website=Intellectual Property India |access-date=26 November 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=18 products of Uttarakhand including Manduwa, Jhangora, red rice get GI tag |url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/18-products-of-uttarakhand-including-manduwa-jhangora-red-rice-get-gi-tag20231204202026/ |access-date=26 November 2024 |work=ANI News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=18 more U’khand products get GI tag |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/uttarakhand-distributes-gi-tag-certificates-for-18-more-products/articleshow/105741728.cms |access-date=26 November 2024 |work=The Times of India |date=5 December 2023}}</ref>

Bhagirathi Annapurna Sabji Utpadak Swayat Sahakarita from Uttarkashi, proposed the GI registration of Uttarakhand Lal Chawal (Red Rice). After filing the application in March 2022, the rice was granted the GI tag in 2023 by the Geographical Indication Registry in [[Chennai]], making the name "Uttarakhand Lal Chawal (Red Rice)" exclusive to the rice grown in the region. It thus became the first rice variety from Uttarakhand and the 14th type of goods from Uttarakhand to earn the GI tag.

The GI tag protects the rice from illegal selling and marketing, and gives it legal protection and a unique identity.

==See also==
* [[Mushqbudji rice]]
* [[Adamchini Chawal]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{Varieties of rice}}

[[Category:Rice varieties]]
[[Category:Indian cuisine]]
[[Category:GI Tagged Rice varieties of India]]
[[Category:Rice production in India]]
[[Category:Economy of Uttarakhand]]
[[Category:Agriculture in Uttarakhand]]
[[Category:Geographical indications in Uttarakhand]]

Uttarakhand red rice - Revision history

Lorrine11I at 10:36, 26 February 2025