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{{Short description|Type of Brinjal variety from Tamil Nadu, India}}
{{Infobox geographical indication
| name = Vellore Spiny brinjal
| image = Closeup of unplucked Vellore Spiny Brinjal in a field from Elavambadi village.jpg
| alt = Close-up of an unplucked Vellore Spiny Brinjal in a field in Elavambadi village
| caption = Close-up of an unplucked Vellore Spiny Brinjal in a field in Elavambadi village
| alternative names = Elavambadi Mullu Kathrikai
| description = [[Brinjal]] variety cultivated in [[Tamil Nadu]]
| type = Agricultural
| area = Vellore
| country = India
| registered = 22 February 2023
| material =
| official website ={{URL|https://search.ipindia.gov.in/GirPublic/Application/Details/788|ipindia.gov.in}}}}

'''Vellore Spiny brinjal''' is a variety of [[brinjal]] grown in the [[State of India|Indian state]] of [[Tamil Nadu]].<ref>{{cite news |title=The local thorny brinjal becomes pricey |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/The-local-thorny-brinjal-becomes-pricey/article14509307.ece |access-date=1 December 2024 |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=25 July 2016 }}</ref> It originated as a tropical vegetable crop from the village of [[Elavambadi]] located in [[Vellore district]]. It is primarily cultivated in the Vellore district, specifically in the areas of [[Anaicut block|Anaicut]], [[Kaniyambadi block|Kaniyambadi]], [[Gudiyattam block|Gudiyatham]], [[K. V. Kuppam block|K. V. Uppam]], [[Vellore]], [[Katpadi taluk|Katpadi]], and [[Pernambut]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sivakumar |first1=R. |title=Soon, Vellore’s spiny brinjal to get GI tag |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2021/Jul/20/soon-vellores-spiny-brinjal-to-get-gi-tag-2332599.html |access-date=1 December 2024 |work=[[The New Indian Express]] |date=21 July 2021 }}</ref> It was recognized as a unique [[List of geographical indications in India|Geographical Indication]] (GI) in February 2023 by the [[Government of India]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Vellore Spiny Brinjal |url=https://search.ipindia.gov.in/GIRPublic/Application/Details/788 |work=Intellectual Property India |access-date=1 December 2024}}</ref>

==Name==
Vellore Spiny brinjal is a popular, native vegetable crop in Vellore and so named after it. The term "Spiny" is used as this brinjal variety is easily identifiable due to its distinctive thorns.<ref name=":0" />

===Local name===
It is locally known as 'Elavambadi Mullu Kathrikai' ([[Tamil language|Tamil]]: எலவம்பாடி முள்ளு கத்திரிகை) in the local state language of [[Tamil language|Tamil]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kandavel |first1=Sangeetha |title=GI tag sought for Vellore Spiny Brinjal |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/gi-tag-sought-for-vellore-spiny-brinjal/article37242133.ece |access-date=1 December 2024 |work=The Hindu |date=29 October 2021 |language=en-IN}}</ref> This name refers to the village of its origin, Elavambadi, and literally translates to "thorny brinjal" (Mullu: thorns, Kathrikai: brinjal).<ref>{{cite web |title=5 Tasty South Indian Brinjal Recipes |url=https://www.news18.com/web-stories/lifestyle/5-tasty-south-indian-brinjal-recipes-2443409/ |website=www.news18.com |access-date=1 December 2024 |language=en}}</ref>

==Description==
Some points about Vellore Spiny brinjal:<ref>{{cite news |title=Tamil Nadu's Ramnad Mundu Chillies, Vellore Spiny Brinjal Awarded GI Label {{!}} What It Means |url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/tamil-nadus-ramnad-mundu-chillies-ramnad-mundu-chillies-awarded-gi-label-what-this-means-717852.html |access-date=1 December 2024 |work=News18 |language=en}}</ref>

===Characteristics===
* This variety has an oval shape with a glossy violet shade mixed with pink color, white stripes, and a green tinge. It has a soft and fleshy texture with few seeds, and an average weight of 40 grams.

===Cultivation===
* This variety is primarily grown in the Vellore district and is suitable for cultivation in three seasons: [[Kharif crop|Kharif]], [[Rabi crop|Rabi]], and summer. It is tolerant of drought and high temperatures.

===Culinary Uses===
* This variety can be prepared in various ways, including baking, barbecuing, frying, roasting, steaming, and pickling. It is suitable for making side dishes like Talsa for [[Biryani]], Brinjal Serwa, [[Sambar (dish)|Sambar]], Vathalkuzhambu, [[Poriyal]], and evening snacks.

===Unique Features===
* Thorns are present on all parts of the plant, except the actual brinjal crop. The thorns require skilled farmers for harvesting. Despite the thorny plant, the brinjal has a soft and fleshy texture.

==Photo Gallery==
Actual photos provided by SIMCO, located at Vellore - the original applicants for the Geographical Indication Tag.
<gallery>
File:I P.Krishnan from SIMCO supervising Vellore Spiny Brinjal crops.jpg|I P.Krishnan from SIMCO supervising Vellore Spiny Brinjal crops
File:Vellore Spiny Brinjal crop in the field from Elavambadi village.jpg|Vellore Spiny Brinjal crop in the field from Elavambadi village
File:Closeup of freshly harvested Vellore Spiny Brinjal.jpg|Closeup of freshly harvested Vellore Spiny Brinjal
File:Freshly harvested Vellore Spiny Brinjals.jpg|Freshly harvested Vellore Spiny Brinjals
File:Another photo of freshly harvested Vellore Spiny Brinjals.jpg|Another photo of freshly harvested Vellore Spiny Brinjals
File:Vellore Mullu Kathirikai Podi Curry.jpg|Vellore Mullu Kathirikai Podi Curry
</gallery>

==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 22 February 2023 and is valid until 28 October 2031.<ref>{{cite web |title=Vellore Spiny brinjal |url=https://search.ipindia.gov.in/GIRPublic/Application/Details/788 |website=Intellectual Property India |access-date=1 December 2024}}</ref>

South India Multi State Agriculture Cooperative Society Limited from Vellore, proposed the GI registration of Vellore Spiny brinjal. After filing the application in October 2021, the Brinjal was granted the GI tag in 2023 by the Geographical Indication Registry in [[Chennai]], making the name "Vellore Spiny brinjal" exclusive to the Brinjal grown in the region. It thus became the first brinjal variety from Tamil Nadu and the 46th type of goods from Tamil Nadu to earn the GI tag.<ref name=":0">{{cite news |title=Vellore Spiny Brinjal, Ramnad Mundu Chilli conferred GI tag in Tamil Nadu |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/vellore-spiny-brinjal-ramnad-mundu-chilli-conferred-geographical-indications-tag-in-tamil-nadu/articleshow/98220733.cms |access-date=1 December 2024 |work=The Times of India |date=25 February 2023}}</ref>

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

==See also==
*[[Jalgaon Bharit Brinjal]]
*[[Agsechi Vayingim (Agassaim Brinjal)]]
*[[Nayagarh Kanteimundi brinjal]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Eggplants]]
[[Category:Indian cuisine]]
[[Category:Tamil cuisine]]
[[Category:GI Tagged Brinjal varieties of India]]
[[Category:Economy of Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Agriculture in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Vellore district]]
[[Category:Geographical indications in Tamil Nadu]]

Vellore Spiny brinjal - Revision history

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