Khola chilli

Khola Chilli
Khola chilli - in red ripened stage
SpeciesCapsicum annuum
OriginGoa, India
Scoville scale17,100[1] SHU

The Khola chilli is a variety of chilli mainly grown in the Indian state of Goa.[2][3]

Name

It is named after its place of origin, the village of Khola, located in Canacona, South Goa district of Goa.

Local name

It is known as Khola mirsang - Mirsang in the state language of Konkani means chilli.

Description

Grown exclusively on the hilly slopes of Khola village, the Khola Chilli is distinguished by its vibrant, brilliant red coloration and elongated long shape. Notably, it possesses a moderate level of pungency, alluring aroma contributing to its distinctive flavor profile.[4] Notably, it is employed in various Indian culinary applications, such as mango pickles, chutneys, and fish curries, contributing a characteristic pungency that enhances the flavor profile of these preparations.[5]

Khola Chilli has been has officially declared as a Farmer Plant Variety by The Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights Authority (PPV&FRA), Govt. of India making it the first Farmer Plant Variety from Goa registered with the Plant Varieties Registry of PPV&FRA.[6]

Actual photos from the farm of Suvidha Zaraunkar (Khola chilli grower) from Soliem, Khola.[7]

  • Khola chilli plant at an agricultural farm
    Khola chilli plant at an agricultural farm
  • Khola chillies - in red ripened stage spread on a sheet of cloth
    Khola chillies - in red ripened stage spread on a sheet of cloth
  • Closeup of Khola chillies
    Closeup of Khola chillies
  • Another Closeup of a single red Khola chilli
    Another Closeup of a single red Khola chilli

Geographical indication

It was awarded the Geographical Indication (GI) status tag from the Geographical Indications Registry under the Union Government of India on 28 August 2019 (valid until 5 August 2028).[8][9][10][11]

The Khola/Canacona Chilli Cultivator's Group Association (TKCCGA) from Canacona, proposed the GI registration of Khola Chilli. After filing the application in April 2019, the chilli was granted the GI tag in 2019 by the Geographical Indication Registry in Chennai, making the name "Khola Chilli" exclusive to the chilies grown in the region. It thus became the first chilli variety from Goa and the 2nd type of goods from Goa to earn the GI tag.[12][13]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ "17 types of chillies grown in India, their uses and spiciness". Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  2. ^ Variyar, Prasad S.; Singh, Inder Pal; Adiani, Vanshika; Suprasanna, Penna (8 November 2024). Peppers: Biological, Health, and Postharvest Perspectives. CRC Press. ISBN 978-1-040-15384-0. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
  3. ^ Raj, Ashok. Magical Minds and Magical Hands All the Handicrafts and Handlooms Of Madhya Pradesh. True Sign Publishing House. ISBN 978-93-5988-684-8. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
  4. ^ Sen, Colleen Taylor; Bhattacharyya, Sourish; Saberi, Helen (23 February 2023). The Bloomsbury Handbook of Indian Cuisine. Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN 978-1-350-12864-4. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
  5. ^ "5 Indian chillies famous for their uniqueness and GI tags". The Times of India. 28 January 2024. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  6. ^ "Khola Chilli Receives Goa's First Farmer Plant Variety Registration from PPV&FRA". Indian Council of Agricultural Research. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  7. ^ "Contact List of Khola Chilli Growers" (PDF). India Brand Equity Foundation. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  8. ^ Chandra, Kavita Kanan. "The many shades of red". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  9. ^ "Geographical Indications Intellectual Property India". Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  10. ^ Ravindran, P. N.; Sivaraman, K.; Devasahayam, S.; Babu, K. Nirmal (2024). Handbook of Spices in India: 75 Years of Research and Development. Springer Nature. ISBN 978-981-19-3728-6. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
  11. ^ Mukherjee, Soumya; Mukherjee, Piyali; Aftab, Tariq (18 August 2023). Crop Sustainability and Intellectual Property Rights. CRC Press. ISBN 978-1-000-86428-1. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
  12. ^ Barua, Ananya (14 March 2022). "Mirchi Map of India: 5 GI-Tagged Indian Chillies Famous For Their Flavour". The Better India. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  13. ^ Ltd, Infokerala Communications Pvt (1 September 2023). Kerala Tradition & Fascinating Destinations 2023. Infokerala Communications Pvt Ltd. ISBN 978-93-91760-65-6. Retrieved 6 November 2024.