Chokuwa rice

Why in news?

• Chokuwa rice has received a GI (Geographical Indication) tag due to its exceptional quality and uniqueness.

About Chokuwa rice:

• Chokuwa rice is also known as Magic rice. It is grown in Assam.
• It has a significant role in Assam’s culinary history and was a staple food for the Ahom dynasty.
• This healthy rice is mainly cultivated along the Brahmaputra River in places like Tinsukia, Dhemaji, and Dibrugarh.

Characteristics: 

• Chokuwa rice is basically a 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 amylose 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 cold or lukewarm water.
• 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.

PRACTICE QUESTION:

Chokuwa rice, recently discussed in news, is primarily grown in:

(a) Assam

(b) Nagaland

(c) Kerala

(d) Andhra Pradesh

Answer