It is perhaps not known to many that Bharat is the second largest producer of potato (Solanum tuberosum) in the world. The top five states with the highest area under cultivation and production are Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. This rabi crop is grown extensively in the potato clusters of Indore,... Continue Reading →
Anuppur Tomato
Madhya Pradesh, a pioneer in organic, zero and natural farming has in recent years developed a formidable reputation in the country as a leader in agricultural production and food processing. This state has eleven agro - climatic zones which favour the cultivation of multitude of crops, vegetables, fruits, aromatic and medicinal plants and flowers throughout... Continue Reading →
Jabalpur Green Pea
It is perhaps not known to many that Bharat is the second largest producer of green peas in the world contributing a little more than 15 percent to the total production. The states of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Jharkhand and Himachal Pradesh have the highest area under cultivation and production in the country. ... Continue Reading →
Sehore Guava
Bharat is the world’s largest producer of guava with the states of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar having the highest area under cultivation and average annual production. It is estimated that guava (Psidium guajava) is the fourth most important fruit crop after mango, banana and orange. Known locally as jamaphal, the humble guava is... Continue Reading →
Bhind Bajra
Bhind district prone to drought and very less rainfall has in recent years become the hub for bajra and jowar cultivation. Small and marginal farmers who were highly dependent on rainwater for their farmlands for decades decided to shift to cultivating millets that would survive in these harsh climatic conditions and arid and semi -... Continue Reading →
Ujjain Onion
It is perhaps not known to many that Madhya Pradesh has the highest area under organic farming in the country with an extensive system that includes warehouses, cold storages, markets and micro food processing plants in place to boost the farmers' income, increase export potential and develop value - added products. Each district has its... Continue Reading →
Rajgarh Orange
Bharat is the second largest producer of orange in the world contributing a little over 13 percent to the total production. Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Haryana are the top - ranking states with the highest area under cultivation and production in the country. In fact, Madhya Pradesh alone contributes over 32 percent... Continue Reading →
Ujjain Soybean
The sacred land of Ujjain is dotted with ancient temples and is renowned for its history, literature, art and architecture. This former capital of Avanti Kingdom is the divine land of the legendary king Maharajadhiraja Vikramaditya, Mahakavi Kalidasa and others. Besides the glorious heritage that has been mentioned in countless texts and treatises, Ujjain... Continue Reading →
Datia Tomato
Datia, a revered land since the ancient days is one of the most important districts of Madhya Pradesh dotted with beautiful Hindu temples dating back to the Vedic Period. This district has been held in high esteem by literary giants, philosophers, saints, sages, yogis, tapasvis and poets for its spiritual and religious potency. This sacred land... Continue Reading →
Dhar Custard Apple
Dhar district is one of the largest districts of Madhya Pradesh renowned for its excellent agricultural produce. Over the years, Dhar's soybean, maize, rabi onion, chilli, pomegranate, wheat, garlic, green peas, banana, cotton, tomato, ginger, pulses and custard apple in particular have been in great demand in the markets of Rajasthan, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra... Continue Reading →
Narmadapuram Guava
Often referred to as the 'poor man's apple', the humble guava (Psidium guajava) is one of the five divine fruits mentioned as Deva phala in the Hindu scriptures. This hardy fruit is available throughout the year and is hugely popular in the monsoon and winter seasons across the country. The guava fruit, seeds and... Continue Reading →
Shivpuri Tomato
It is perhaps not known to many that India is the second largest producer of tomatoes in the world with the states of Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Odisha being the top five producers in India. In fact, the state of Madhya Pradesh has the largest area under tomato cultivation and contributes... Continue Reading →
Sheopur Pomegranate
Pomegranate, a high - value fruit crop with immense economic, religious and medicinal importance is cultivated across the country with the states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh producing the best fruit. Indian pomegranate is revered for its therapeutic properties and is rich in sodium, phosphorous and calcium and Vitamin C, B1,... Continue Reading →
Guna Coriander
India is the largest producer of coriander and coriander seeds in the world and exports more than 45,000 tonnes annually to Europe, UK, The Middle East, South Africa, Malaysia and others. Interestingly, the district of Guna contributes about 20 - 25 percent to the total production in India and is in great demand abroad. ... Continue Reading →
Khargone Chilli
It is perhaps not known to many that India is the largest producer of chillies in the world. Indian chillies are famous for their diversity, colour, unique taste and pungency level. The states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Odisha are the top chilli producers in the country with a sizeable portion of... Continue Reading →
Rewa Kusli
Kusli is a traditional sweet prepared in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh for Teej. Commonly known as gujiya, this deep - fried sweet is prepared from desi ghee, spices, desiccated coconut, dried fruits and nuts, homemade khova and maida. Maida and desi ghee are mixed in a large bowl till the mixture reaches the right consistency (should be... Continue Reading →
Rewa Bagheli Aam Panna Bagja
A traditional summer dish of Rewa that is eaten either as a snack or with hot rice and vegetables or chapati is aam panna bagja. Locals use native mangoes and spices to prepare this age - old dish. In a large kadai or frying pan, red chillies, cumin seeds and coriander seeds are dry roasted till they become... Continue Reading →
Rewa Indrahar
Rewa, a former princely state is famous for its contribution in the 1857 First War of Independence that saw many nationalists lose their life, diverse agricultural produce and natural resources and Bagheli cuisine that derives its name from the Baghelkhand region of which Rewa is a part. Their most iconic dish that is also... Continue Reading →
Banarasi Kale Chane ki Ghugni
The delicious kale chane ki ghugni, originally a Bihari innovation is offered as prasad on the auspicious occasion of Durga Ashtami. This protein - rich dish is best enjoyed with hot puris and halwa. As this is the traditional preparation for Navaratri, it is made without onion and garlic. Kala chana (black chickpeas) is soaked overnight, washed thoroughly and pressure cooked with... Continue Reading →
Banarasi Sattu ka Paratha
Sattu, often referred to as the 'poor man's protein' is hugely popular in Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand and the border villages across the North - East. Sattu is fibre and protein - rich flour prepared from powdered chana (Bengal gram) or other pulses or barley or jowar or wheat. It has been traditionally... Continue Reading →
Banarasi Tamatar Bonda
Tamatar bonda, a rainy season snack is sold mainly by small shops near the Banaras Hindu University. Best enjoyed with a piping hot cup of adrak chai, this delicious snack is hugely popular among locals. A couple of medium - sized potatoes are boiled, peeled, mashed and allowed to cool. Paneer is also added... Continue Reading →
Banarasi Palangtod
One of the most fascinating winter sweets of Kashi is the centuries - old palangtod that literally translates to bed breaker! Though the name makes one laugh out loud, its taste will definitely leave you speechless. Known to be an expensive sweet because of the time, effort and labour involved, this sweet has been given the... Continue Reading →
Banarasi Khajur (Thekua)
Thekua or khajur as it is known in Uttar Pradesh is a traditional deep - fried sweet offered as prasad during Chhath Puja, Saraswati Puja and Navaratri. Though the dish originated in Bihar, it is now hugely popular in Jharkhand and eastern Uttar Pradesh. Thekua is made from wheat, jaggery or sugar, desi ghee, spices and nuts. It has a... Continue Reading →
Banarasi Doodh Peda
A delicious milk sweet of Kashi that has been served as prasad in most of the temples for centuries is the humble doodh peda. Made from full fat milk that is in abundance in Varanasi and Ghazipur districts and areas around the Ganga River, this simple milk innovation is hugely popular among locals and visitors and makes... Continue Reading →
