Thooyamalli Rice/Thuyamalli Rice (TamilNadu Traditional Rice)

Thooyamalli Rice

How attractive and appealing this Rice looks, Isn't it?....but the sad part is this Traditional rice variety is not known to many of us. 

This rice is called Thooyamalli/Thuyamalli Rice, is one of the indigenous rice variety of Tamil Nadu.

Yes, I do agree that the very moment when I say TamilNadu Rice, the one that comes to your mind is Ponni Rice. But there are loads and loads of rice varieties which where used earlier and has got diminished in recent times. 

You will be amazed to know that each and every rice variety has its own unique flavour along with high medicinal values. 

Ever heard of a famous Tamil quote?? "Unave marunthu", Our great great grand fathers and grandmothers used to consume nutritious food, which acted as a medicine too. 

Though Thooyamalli was not in use for a long time, it is slowly garbing its limelight position again. Thanks to the number of workshops and stalls that are conducted for the awareness of these traditional rice varieties and millets. That is why, many are stepping forward to buy them which in-turn boosts many farmers to cultivate these traditional crops like Thooyamalli, Maappillai Samba, Kullakar etc.

I have already discussed about Maappillai Samba Rice in my previous post and if you are interested to know more about Maapillai samba then click on this picture.




Now we will proceed with Thooyamalli Rice

Why did it get the name "Thooyamalli"?

Thooyamalli means Pure (Thooya) and Malli (Jasmine). This Rice looks more like a Jasmine bud and is the reason for the origin of its name.

More about Thooyamalli:

• This Rice crop's duration is 135-140 days with high resistance to pest. So it will not demand much of pesticide like other common rice varieties.

• Thooyamalli increases nerves strength.

• A healthy as well as a tasty rice which is best suited for preparing briyani for its distinctive flavour.

Just think for a moment

"Do we still need to eat polished white rice which gives no nutrition at all?" or "Want to switch over to these traditional rice varieties which gives loads of nutrition and healthy life?"