Kalanamak is one of the finest quality scented rices of India. It derives its name from black husk (kala = black; the suffix �namak� means salt). This variety has been in cultivation since the Buddhist period (600 BC). It is quite popular in Himalayan Tarai of eastern Uttar Pradesh, India, and is also known as the scented black pearl of Uttar Pradesh. It was also featured in the book 'Speciality rices of the world' by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Kalanamak Rice has been granted the Geographical Indication(GI) Tag in 2012 by the Government of India and a geographical area has been defined where the Kalanamak rice can be produced.Kalanamak rice grown in this defined area can only be labelled as Kalanamak rice.Kalanamak rice is said to outshine even the most exclusive Basmati rice in all quality traits except grain length. Kalanamak rice is a non-basmati rice with short to medium grain length. Aroma of Kalanamak rice, which is said to be the gift of Gautam Buddha, is stronger than all Basmati varieties.
