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India is famous for its agricultural produce and is one of the largest producers as well as contributors in the world in terms of a lot of grains and horticulture. The Indian government started the concept of a geographical indication tag to give special identification to crucial crops, including grains, vegetables, fruits, and different types of teas, to recognise their due importance in the overall trade of India.
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These are not just famous because of their high demand but also because of their exceptional value in terms of taste and the history that they carry with them. Many of these GI-tagged edible items are specifically grown in India during the monsoon. Here is a list of such things.
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* Darjeeling Tea
A lot of people might not know this, but Darjeeling tea is the first ever Indian product to get a GI tag. It is celebrated around the world for its distinctive aroma and topical flavours. It is grown in the valleys of Darjeeling, West Bengal and it is during the monsoon season when its growth starts thriving. Darjeeling is known to receive ample rainfall during monsoon and that is what gives the Darjeeling tea its specific flavour. The tea is not just highly demanded in India but around the world as well.
* Malabar Pepper
Malabar pepper is a special variety of pepper that is grown in the Malabar region of Kerala. It is aromatic and also famous for its robust flavour. The spices are used in different dishes in the Malabar region, especially for seafood and chicken curries. Other than the taste, the pepper is also very popular for its health implications, such as digestive properties, specifically in the humid climate of Malabar. One would see beautiful pepper vines flourishing If they happened to visit Malabar in the monsoon.
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* Arabica Coffee
Arabica coffee from Coorg is one of the oldest varieties of coffee available in India. It is a prized possession for people in that geographical region, as it is a very important part of their cultural identity. Coorg is a breathtaking destination and the availability of this intense coffee makes it even more attractive as a destination. Karnataka is one of the initial places where coffee cultivation started hundreds of years ago. The people of that area have been painstakingly able to carry on that tradition, which was started by their ancestors.
* Assam Tea
Among the different types of teas that are grown in India, Assam tea has a special place. It is famous for its colour and flavour, which resemble the taste of malta, strong aroma, and much more. Most of the Assam tea cultivation happens in the Brahmaputra Valley of Assam. The cultivation of Assam tea reaches its zenith during the monsoon season, when the rains are heavy and perpetual. It is the monsoon in Assam that is responsible for giving Assam tea its exotic flavours. The tea was given its GI tag in 2008.
* Basmati Rice
Basmati rice is extremely popular around the world because of its aroma, elongated greens and extremely smooth and fluffy texture. This type of rice is typically grown in Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, and some nearby northern plains. A special variety of Basmati rice is also grown in Jammu and Kashmir. During the monsoon, anyone visiting the above-stated states will find stretched fields of paddy sown extensively. One of the most popular uses of Basmati rice is to make biryani and different types of pulao. Basmati is considered the most luxurious type of rice available, not just in India but around the world.
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* Alphonso Mangoes
One of the most distinctive characteristics of summers in India is the abundance of mangoes. In India, mango is treated more like a sweet than just a basic fruit. A popular variety of mangoes that becomes available in the monsoons are Alphonso mangoes. They are mostly grown in Maharashtra. In the native language, these mangoes are known as hapus. They are celebrated for their fresh and citrusy aroma, sweet flavour like honey and luscious velvety texture. Regions of Maharashtra, such as Sindhudurg, Raigad, and Ratnagiri, are popular for the choicest Alphonso mangoes. These mangoes were given a GI tag in 2018.
