Ketaki Joha

Heritage rice varieties from Assam, that are medium and short grain, and scented are broadly classified as ‘Joha’. There are many varieties of joha, and one of them is Ketaki Joha. A Sali crop (winter crop) all the joha varieties are fine grains and have a pleasant aroma, and they do fetch a premium price in the market, as they are low yielders. In Assam, farmers still cultivate it for their home consumption, and use it at special occasions.

Some associate the pleasant aroma of this rice to be similar to that of the Ketaki flowers; a few others have stated that the paddy on the field, has a striking resemblance to the spiky leaves of the ketaki flower.

Though not as fragrant as the other joha varieties, the Spirit of the Earth kitchen team suggests, “if you like Kichili Champa, Thooyamalli, Ajara Ghansal, you will enjoy this grain. It will pair well with your sambhar, rasam and kootu.”

Cooking Instructions