The Edayur chilli is a variety of chilli mainly grown in the

Indian state India is a federal union comprising 28 states and 8 union territories, for a total of 36 subnational entities. The states and union territories are further subdivided into 800 districts and smaller administrative divisions by the respe ...

Kerala Kerala ( , ) is a States and union territories of India, state on the Malabar Coast of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, following the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, by combining Malayalam-speaking regions of the erstwhile ...

. The Edayur chilli is a local cultivar primarily grown in specific regions of Kerala's

Malappuram district Malappuram (), is one of the List of districts of Kerala, 14 districts in the States and union territories of India, Indian state of Kerala, with a coastline of . The most populous district of Kerala, Malappuram is home to around 13% of the tot ...

. Specifically, it is cultivated in the panchayaths of Edayur,

Athavanad Athavanad is a village and Gram Panchayath in the Tirur Taluk, in the Malappuram District of the state of Kerala, India. The town lies on the National Highway 66, between Puthanathani and Valanchery. Puthanathani is the main town of the Ath ...

Marakkara Marakkara is a Grama Panchayath in Kuttippuram Block Panchayat, Tirur Taluk, Malappuram district in the state of Kerala, India. Kadampuzha Temple The famous Kadampuzha Devi Temple is situated inside the Marakkara panchayath.Kadampuzha Devi ...

, Irimbiliyam, Kalpakanchery, and

Valanchery Valanchery is a major municipal town in Malappuram district, Kerala, India. It is situated about southeast to Calicut International Airport, Karipur International Airport and southwards to the district headquarters, and forms a part of Malappu ...

within the Valanchery block, as well as Moorkanad and Kuruva panchayaths within the Angadippuram block.

Name

It is named after its place of origin, the village of Edayoor. According to documents available in the Edayur Grama Panchayath, the cultivation of Edayur chilli in the region dates back at least 150 years.

Local name

It is known as Edayur mulaku. Mulaku in the local state language of

Malayalam Malayalam (; , ) is a Dravidian languages, Dravidian language spoken in the Indian state of Kerala and the union territories of Lakshadweep and Puducherry (union territory), Puducherry (Mahé district) by the Malayali people. It is one of ...

means chilli.

Description

Cultivation

The Edayur chilli's traditional cultivation grounds include hills, hillocks, and lateritic fields.

Physical characteristics

Its physical appearance is marked by drooping, solitary berries with a moderately triangular shape with a smooth surface.

Pungency and Usage

The Edayur chilli is primarily utilized to create a traditional

delicacy called "Kondattom," or sun-dried curd chillies. These dried Kondattom Mulaku can be stored for several months, retaining their distinct flavor. When fried, Kondattom serves as a delectable side dish, paired with curd, making it a simple yet delightful accompaniment to meals.

Photo Gallery

File:Longshot photo of a farm of Edayur Chillies.jpg, Longshot view of an Edayur Chilli farm File:Photo of a farm of Edayur Chillies.jpg, View of a Chilli farm File:Extreme Closeup of Edayur Chilli in a farm.jpg, Extreme Closeup of Edayur Chilli at a farm File:Photo of closeup of Edayur Chilli plant in a farm.jpg, Closeup of chillies and plant at a farm File:Closeup of Edayur Chilli in a farm.jpg, Closeup of Chilli at a farm File:Collection of chillies gathered in a tub.jpg, Collection of chillies gathered in a tub File:Another closeup of Edayur Chillies.jpg, Another closeup of chillies File:Another collection of Edayur chillies gathered in a tub.jpg, Another collection of chillies gathered in a tub File:Another collection of Edayur Chillies.jpg, Another closeup of collection of chillies File:Closeup of Edayur Chillies.jpg, Closeup of Edayur Chillies

Geographical indication

It was awarded the

Geographical Indication A geographical indication (GI) is a name or sign used on products which corresponds to a specific geographical location or origin (e.g., a town or region). The use of a geographical indication, as an indication of the product's source, is inten ...

(GI) status tag from the Geographical Indications Registry under the

Union Government of India The Government of India (ISO: Bhārata Sarakāra, legally the Union Government or Union of India or the Central Government) is the national authority of the Republic of India, located in South Asia, consisting of 36 states and union territo ...

on 14 September 2021 (valid until 2 October 2029). Edayoor Chilli Grovers Association (ECGA) from Edayur, proposed the GI registration of Edayur Chilli. After filing the application in October 2019, the chilli was granted the GI tag in 2021 by the Geographical Indication Registry in

Chennai Chennai, also known as Madras (List of renamed places in India#Tamil Nadu, its official name until 1996), is the capital city, capital and List of cities in Tamil Nadu by population, largest city of Tamil Nadu, the southernmost states and ...

, making the name "Edayur Chilli" exclusive to the chilies grown in the region. It thus became the first chilli variety from Kerala and the 34th type of goods from Kerala to earn the GI tag.

Kuttiattoor Mango The 'Kuttiattoor' mango or Kuttiattoor Manga, is a mango cultivar primarily grown in the village of Kuttiattoor, Kannur district of Kerala, India. 'Nambiar maanga', 'Kannapuram maanga', 'Kunjimangalam manga' and 'Vadakkumbhagam manga,' are the va ...

from the

Kannur district Kannur () is one of the 14 Districts of Kerala, districts along the west coast in the state of Kerala, India. The city of Kannur is the district headquarters and gives the district its name. The old name, Cannanore, is the anglicized form of th ...

of Kerala received GI tag at the same time.

References

{{Capsicum Cultivars Kerala cuisine Indian spices GI Tagged Chillies of India Economy of Kerala Agriculture in Kerala Geographical indications in Kerala Malappuram district Capsicum cultivars