Heritage rice varieties from Assam, that are medium and short grain, and scented are broadly classified as ‘Joha’. There are many varieties of joha – all of them have a pleasant aroma, are fine grains, and 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.
All the Joha varieties are used in the preparation of pulao and desserts. The Bora Chaulor Payas is a famous sweet delicacy, which is only made using the Joha rice variety; it is very similar to a rice kheer. In the first Ramayana script in Assamese written some 600 years ago by Madhab Kandoli, there has been reference of attempt to feed Kumbhakarna with various local food, including the Joha rice.