The Geographical Indications Registry headquartered in Chennai (Tamil Nadu) granted Geographical Indications(GI) to Goa’s Harmal Chillies which are grown only in Harmal village and adjacent areas of Pernem taluka(specifically in the coastal village of Arambol), Moira bananas, an unique banana grown in Moira village of Bardez taluka & Bicholim Taluka and Khaje, the traditional state sweet.
- Khaje got a GI tag under foodstuffs falling in Class-30 and Moira Banana under Class-31
Application Filing
i.The Bicholim- based All-Goa Khaje Producers Association (AGKPA) applied for the GI tag of Khaje through the department of science and technology in 2019.
ii.Myndoli Banana Growers Association, Ibrampur, Pernem applied for the GI tag of Moira bananas.
iii.The Harmal-Pernem Chilli Growers Association had made the application for the GI tag of Harmal Chillies
Khaje:
Origin– It originated centuries ago in Goa.
Significance– The sweet is an integral part of the Hindu jatras and Catholic feasts held in the state. It is considered a healthy snack and also consumed as dessert
Common Name– It is commonly referred to as ‘Kaddio-boddio’ due to its thin, long shape.
Ingredients & Shape– The ingredients used to prepare it are, chickpeas flour, ginger, jiggery and sesame seeds. It comes in the shape of finger-sized stick
Unique Taste– Its unique taste comes from the Goan ginger, local salt and potable well water.
Harmal chillies:
Introduced by– Chillies were introduced to Goa by the Portuguese, and many varieties are now grown locally.
Significance– It contain a good amount of minerals like potassium (10942.65 milligram-mg/kilograms -kg), iron (247.98 mg/kg), magnesium (778.24 mg/kg), calcium (1803.60 mg/kg) and sodium (196.49mg/kg).
Uniqueness– It is 2.7-3.7cm long, and is reddish-brown in colour with a smooth skin texture which is not wrinkled. It does have a longer shelf life. It is known for its high level of pungency.
Usage– It is often mixed with other masalas to spice up dishes in Goan cuisine. In addition to this it is also used in the preparation of chicken xacuti masala, garam masala, khatkhatem and recheado masala.
Moira banana:
Reason behind the name– It is named as it is believed to have first been introduced to the village of Moira, Bardez, by Franciscan priests.
Other Name– It is also called as Myndoli kellim in Konkani
Uniqueness
- It grows on a huge and tall banana plant. It has long and tusk shaped fruits having a yellowish-golden colour.
- It has a longer shelf life & also carries less seeds and more sweetness.
- It is very nutritious and high in energy, vitamins and minerals. It is also used to make a dessert item, a halwa fried and ghee and cooked in sugar syrup.
Weight– A single fruit weighs around 200g, and a well-developed bunch of 85-98 bananas weighs 50-50kg.
Medicinal value- It is also believed to have medicinal value and can prevent certain ailments
Key Info
i.The 1st Goan product to receive the GI tag is Cashew feni, the traditional spirit drink distilled from cashew juice, followed by Khola chillies grown in Canacona taluka
ii.Goa’s feni, the Khola chilli, and khajem (kaddio boddio) also got the GI tag.
Recent Related News:
Geographical Indications Registry granted Geographical Indication (GI) tag for 4 new products from three states namely:
- Jharkhand’s Sohrai Khovar painting (a traditional and ritualistic mural art),
- Telangana’s Telia Rumal cloth (an intricate handmade work with cotton loom)
- Thanjavur Netti Works (pith works)
- Arambavur Wood Carvings from the state of Tamil Nadu (TN).
About Goa:
Capital– Panaji
National Park– Mollem National Park
Airport– Goa International Airport, also called Dabolim Airport.
About GI Tag:
GI registration in India is administered by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 which came into force with effect from September 2003.
