What is kodo millet?
Kodo millet how is it grown, and what are the benefits of eating kodo.
Kodo millet (scientifically Paspalum scrobiculatum) is an ancient, hardy grain known for its nutritional benefits and adaptability to semi-arid and arid climates. It has been cultivated in India for thousands of years and is one of the lesser known but highly nutritious varieties of millet.
Nutritional benefits of kodo millet.
Kodo millet is rich in essential nutrients:
- Rich in fiber: It aids digestion, helps control blood sugar levels, and keeps you full for longer, making it great for weight management.
- Rich in protein: It is a good source of protein, especially for vegetarian and vegan diets.
- Low Glycemic Index: Beneficial for people suffering from diabetes as it causes a slower rise in blood sugar compared to other grains.
- Rich in antioxidants: It contains polyphenols and antioxidants that help fight inflammation and oxidative stress.
- Rich in essential minerals: It contains iron, magnesium, calcium and vitamin B, which are essential for overall health.
Healthcare facilities:
- Diabetes Management: Its low glycemic index helps prevent the increase in blood sugar levels.
- Weight management: High fibre content promotes satiety and helps control appetite.
- Heart Health: High magnesium levels support heart health by helping to control blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease.
- Digestive health: Fiber aids in digestive processes and can relieve constipation.
Culinary Uses:Kodo millet can be used in many dishes like rice, couscous or quinoa. It can be cooked as a porridge, added to soups Can be used in making pilaf, salads and even desserts. It's gluten-free, so it works well in gluten-free recipes and is popular in traditional South Indian dishes like dosa, idli, and upma.
Growing conditions and stability:
Kodo millet grows well in dry areas and requires relatively little water and no chemical fertilizers, making it a sustainable crop option for water-scarce areas, It is resilient to pests and diseases and can grow even in nutrient-poor soils, making it an ideal crop for sustainable agriculture.
How to cook Kodo Millet?
- Wash: Wash the millet thoroughly to remove any dust or impurities from it.
- Soaking (optional): Soaking for a few hours can help reduce the cooking time.
- Cook: For 1 cup of millet, use about 2.5 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then simmer for about 15-20 minutes until the water is absorbed and the millet is soft.
Interesting Facts:
1 Kodo millet is sometimes called "varagu" in Tamil, "arka" in Kannada and "kodara" in Hindi.
2 Due to its health benefits, it has been a part of traditional medicine in India and Africa.
Incorporating kodo millet into the diet is a great way to enjoy its health benefits while supporting sustainable agriculture.
(1) What is the Hindi name of Kodo millet?
Kodo millet is known as Kodo (कोदू) or Kodra (कोद्रा) in Hindi.
(2) What is kodo millet called in India?
Kodo millet is known by different regional names in India:
- Hindi: Kodo (कोदू)(कोदरा)or Kodara (कोद्रा)
- Tamil: வரகு (Varagu)
- Telugu: ఆరక (Arikelu)
- Kannada: ಅರಕ (Araka)
- Malayalam: Varagu
- Marathi: कोद्रा (Kodra)
- Gujarati: કોડો (Kodo)(કોદરા)
- Bengali: কোদো (Kodo)
- Odia: Kodua
- Punjabi: ਕੋਦੋ (Kodo)
Kodo millet is widely grown and consumed in various parts of India, especially in arid and semi-arid regions, where it has been grown as a robust, nutritious staple food for thousands of years.
(3) Kodo millet 1kg price in india?
Approximately kodo price are different from retail and wholesale market but average price is RS.32 to RS.35 kgs.
(4) long to soak kodo millet?
Kodo millet is generally soaked for 1 to 2 hours before cooking.If you are short on time, soaking for 30 minutes can also help, although 1-2 hours is ideal for best texture and nutrient absorption.
(5) What is another name for Kodo millet?
Another name for kodo millet is cow grass or Indian cow grass. Paspalum scrobiculatum. Kodra mevarguta in Tamil, and Arikelu in Telugu.
(6) What is Kodo called in English?
Kodo millet in English is commonly known as Kodo millet. Cow grass or Indian cow grass.
(7) How do you identify Kodo millet?
To identify kodo millet, one has to look at its physical characteristics and plant structure. Such as Kodo millet grains are small, round and usually light brown or gray in color.
The grains are slightly oval and smaller than rice grains.And when cooked, kodo millet tastes nutty.
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