Amar Khamar and some lost varieties of Bengal's own rice variety.
10:33 PM
I
found Amar Khamar through Insta and could not help but appreciate the
way they are trying to celebrate one of Bengal's most important crop-
The Rice. Which obviously for us Bengalis is not only a crop but a
whole range of products that had sustained us from time immemorial.
So
when a few weeks back Sarah from the organisation reached out to me I
was keen to know more. Over a cup of coffee we discussed how they are
trying to revive the Bengali indigenous rice varieties by working
closely with farmers, Self help groups and the specific weather and
present soil condition of 24 parganas. which took a worng turn when
in 2009 the cyclone Aila hit the area and the inflow of saline water
made the land unfit for agriculture . Add to that the growing need of
polished high yielding quick cooking variety that made the indigenous
rice grains vanishing from the Bengali map.
Though
they try to connect the world to some unheard of rice varieties
through the help of world wide web and social media but their faith
in food and food security goes beyond that. They try to educate the
farmers to grow sustainably and using environment-friendly methods of
organic farming. As a result indigenous local seasonal food lovers
like me are over joyous to see products that we have heard only in
story books or in fables.
If
you think am exaggerating then hear the name of the varieties they
are brinigning to the market right now. Khejur chori, Kalo Nunia,
Chinakamini, Talmugur, rani akanda, Chamormoni, Kalabhat-some of the
most fascinating names and each grain is different in taste, texture
and mouthfeel.
Apart from Rice they also are offering Mung or yellow lentil and turmeric powder.
I
would be posting a few recipes with their rice varieties in my next
posts. Recipes with which I tried to do justice to these unique
grains and recipes that are easy and nutritious.
In
the mean time why dont you go and meet the amazing farmers at
Amarkhamar page and their youtube link in the below links
Website where you can order: https://amarkhamar.com/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSWb7UPEMop4b43n7zx7QNw
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amarkhamar/?hl=en
Disclimer: This is not a sponsored post.
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