Wikipedia

Marayoor jaggery

The Marayoor jaggery is a variety of jaggery made from fresh sugarcane juice in the Indian state of Kerala.[2][3] It is an agri-product manufactured from sugarcane which is a common and widely cultivated crop in Marayoor and Kanthalloor Grama panchayaths of Devikulam taluk, Idukki district grown particularly by the farmers of Muthuva tribe.[4][5][6]

Marayoor jaggery
Geographical indication
Alternative namesMarayoor Sharkara
DescriptionA jaggery (agri-product) made from fresh sugarcane juice in Marayoor and Kanthalloor Grama panchayaths of Idukki district of Kerala[1]
TypeJaggery
AreaMarayoor, Kerala
CountryIndia
Registered6 March 2019
Official websiteipindiaservices.gov.in

This area falls within the rain shadow region, receiving lower rainfall than surrounding areas due to its location on the leeward (downwind) side of Western Ghats mountain range.[7][8][9]

Name

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Marayoor jaggery made from sugarcane is a prized crop in Marayoor town and so named after it.[10][11]

Local name

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It is also known by "Marayoor Sharkara".[12] It is made into forms of handmade jaggery, called 'Unda Sarkara', is available in ball form, characterized by its hardness, ease of storage, and long shelf life, with a golden brown to brown color. "Unda" means ball, while 'Sarkara' means the crude form of sugar in the local state language of Malayalam.[13]

Description

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It is a high-quality, natural product with distinct characteristics. It has a brown to dark brown color, medium hardness, and a non-sticky texture, with visible finger marks from its handmade production process. Made without added natural or synthetic colors or artificial sweetening agents, this jaggery has an unique non-salty sweetness and characteristic taste. Its well-dried form and low water-insoluble matter ensure minimal dirt and soil content, setting it apart from other market samples.[14][15][16]

Traditional jaggery production

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The tradition of jaggery-making in Marayoor dates back centuries, with references found in the Rigveda and Ayurvedic texts.

Marayoor Jaggery, renowned for its exceptional quality, is produced using traditional methods in approximately 150 country sheds scattered throughout the sugarcane fields of the region.[17] The labor-intensive process commences with the extraction of juice from carefully selected, clean sugarcane, followed by filtration to remove impurities. Clarification is achieved through the addition of lime, ensuring a clear juice. The juice is then boiled in large, copper or galvanized iron vessels fueled by bagasse (sugarcane waste) over a furnace, optimized with chimneys and baffles for efficient heat absorption. Constant stirring with long wooden spoons prevents charring, while skilled artisans assess the consistency using time-honored techniques, such as the "cold water test" and dipping their fingers in cold water and then in boiling juice. Once the optimal consistency is reached, the concentrated juice is transferred to wooden troughs for setting, after which it is hand-rolled into distinctive balls, bearing the artisan's fingerprint impressions. This artisanal process yields approximately 6,000 tons per year of premium Marayoor jaggery, primarily in its signature solid ball form (Unda sharkara), alongside smaller quantities of liquid (paani) and powder forms, all devoid of artificial colors, chemicals, or sweeteners.[18]

Usage

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It is used as a traditional sweetener and key ingredient in Ayurvedic medicine.[19] It has a revered place in Kerala's temples, where it's used in as an integral part of traditional ceremonies and rituals.[20] It is also used in traditional Kerala sadyas (feasts), and jaggery-coated plantain chips, known as sharkaraperatti, which are a staple delicacy, served alongside other signature dishes.[21]

Geographical indication

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It was awarded the Geographical Indication (GI) status tag from the Geographical Indications Registry under the Union Government of India on 06/03/2019 (valid until 15/03/2028).[22][23][24]

Anchunadu Karimbu Ulpadhana Vipanana Sangham from Marayoor town, proposed the GI registration of Marayoor jaggery. After filing the application in March 2018, the jaggery was granted the GI tag in 2019 by the Geographical Indication Registry in Chennai, making the name "Marayoor jaggery" exclusive to the jaggery manufactured in the region. It thus became the second jaggery variety from Kerala after Central Travancore jaggery and the 31st type of goods from Kerala to earn the GI tag.[25]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ "10 Different Types Of Jaggery To Try". www.timesnownews.com. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  2. ^ "6 Types Of Jaggery You Must Know". www.news18.com. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  3. ^ "The Sweet History GI Tagged Marayoor Jaggery From Kerala". Times Now. 16 June 2024. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  4. ^ archive, From our online (7 May 2018). "Kerala: Tribal honey finds a haven in Marayoor". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  5. ^ "Marayoor To Coconut: 6 Types Of Jaggery To Replace Your Sugar". Times Now. 11 June 2024. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  6. ^ Raman, Giji K. (7 March 2019). "Marayur jaggery finally gets Geographical Indication tag". The Hindu. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  7. ^ "Marayoor Jaggery". Ministry of Food Processing Industries. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  8. ^ Vellaram, Sandeep (28 August 2024). "Tribal farmers join hands to launch jaggery production unit". The Hindu. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  9. ^ Sulaiman, Nejma (30 August 2024). "Kerala: Jaggery from tribal hamlets of Marayur to hit the market under new brand name". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  10. ^ "6 nutrient-rich jaggery varieties you need to try". The Times of India. 30 October 2023. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  11. ^ "Marayoor Jaggery". Kerala Forest Department. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  12. ^ Raj, Ashok. Magical Minds and Magical Hands All the Handicrafts and Handlooms Of Madhya Pradesh. True Sign Publishing House. ISBN 978-93-5988-684-8. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  13. ^ "GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS JOURNAL NO. 113 NOVEMBER 05, 2018" (PDF). Intellectual Property India. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  14. ^ "Vanasree Products". Kerala Forest Department. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  15. ^ Experts, Arihant (30 November 2021). AMU Aligarh Muslim University B.A. Bachelor Of Arts 2022. Arihant Publications India limited. ISBN 978-93-257-9605-8. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  16. ^ "Spurious products pose threat to Kerala's GI tagged Marayoor jaggery". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  17. ^ Vellaram, Sandeep (8 March 2019). "Sweet victory: Idukki's Marayoor Jaggery gets GI tag". The News Minute. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  18. ^ "The Sweet History GI Tagged Marayoor Jaggery From Kerala". Times Now. 16 June 2024. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  19. ^ Krishnan, Anjali (31 March 2022). "The 'Gur' Old Story of Why Jaggery is India's Favourite Sweetener". The Better India. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  20. ^ Kerala, an Authentic Handbook. Information-Public Relations Department, Government of Kerala. 2010. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  21. ^ Sanand, Swapna Raghu (18 March 2019). "Sweetest ever Marayur jaggery gets GI tag: This labour of love will move you!". The Financial Express (India). Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  22. ^ "Geographical Indications". Intellectual Property India. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  23. ^ Paul, Biju E. (3 January 2023). "Onattukara sesame enters list of GI-tagged products from Kerala, thanks to KAU". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  24. ^ "Kerala's Marayoor jaggery shipped to Canada". English.Mathrubhumi. 30 December 2022. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  25. ^ "GI Registration of Marayoor Jaggery" (PDF). IPR Cell, Kerala Agricultural University. 9 March 2018. Retrieved 15 November 2024 – via oriGIn | Organization for an International Geographical Indications Network.
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