Among many other things that we Indians take pride in is our spice tolerance and our love for chatpata food. Usually, this spice level in our food is accentuated by the addition of the wide variety of chillies that are grown in India. However, do you know that chillies have actually not originated in India? Believed to have been grown in South America back in 3,500 BC, chilies have transcended borders since then due to their interesting flavour.
And when it comes to India, it is believed that chillies were introduced to our country’s culinary culture by the Portuguese traders who came to the subcontinent about 400 years ago. However, another theory says that chillies were first introduced on the shores of Goa and the rest of South India by Vasco Da Gama back in the 16th century. With time, chillies became a staple in the Indian diet and gained a perpetual place in the culinary map of India. And this indispensable ingredient in Indian cuisine led to the growth of varieties of chillies in different parts of India. So, here are five GI-tagged Indian chillies that you need to try at least once in your life.
1. Bhut Jolokia
2. Guntur Chillies
If you ask an Andhra-ite about their pride, you’ll surely get Guntur chilli as an answer. An eminent part of the popular spicy cuisine of Andhra Pradesh, Guntur chilli accounts for about 30% of India’s total chilli exports.
Popularly grown in the Khola district of Goa, Khola chilli is known for its medium spice level and bright red colour. It is a popular addition to some of the most popular Goan dishes starting from its popular mango pickles to chutneys and fish curries.
4. Hathei Chilli
Hathei chilli is believed to have been found in Manipur’s Ukhrul district and is popular for its unique flavour. The chilli got a GI tag in the year 2021 and is bright red in colour and is about 9-inches long.
5. Dalle Khorsani
We all agree that there’s something special about the famous momo chutney of Darjeeling. And let us break it to you that it is the use of this special variety of chilli that gives Darjeeling momo chutney the unique flavour profile. The chilli got its GI tag in the year 2020 and is grown in Sikkim and its geographical counterparts.
