The Muzaffarnagar jaggery is a variety of jaggery (non-centrifugal cane sugar) made from fresh sugarcane juice in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.[1][2][3] It is an agri-product manufactured from sugarcane which is a common and widely cultivated crop majorily in the districts of Muzaffarnagar and also in Bijnor, Shamli, Baghpat, Meerut and Shajahanpur.[4][5] Muzaffarnagar hosts India's largest jaggery market, accounting for 20% of the country's total jaggery production. The city's jaggery is considered lucky by many and is a significant contributor to India's traditional sweetener production.[6][7][8]
| Muzaffarnagar jaggery (मुजफ्फरनगर गुड़) | |
|---|---|
| Geographical indication | |
| Alternative names | Muzaffarnagar Gur |
| Description | A jaggery (agri-product) made from fresh sugarcane juice in Muzaffarnagar, Bijnor, Shamli, Baghpat, Meerut and Shajahanpur district of Uttar Pradesh |
| Type | Jaggery |
| Area | Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh |
| Country | India |
| Registered | 31 MArch 2023 |
| Official website | ipindiaservices.gov.in |
Under its Geographical Indication tag, it is referred to as "Muzaffarnagar Gur (Jaggery)".
Name
editMuzaffarnagar jaggery made from sugarcane is a prized crop in Muzaffarnagar and so named after the place.[9]
Local name
editIt is known as "Muzaffarnagar Gur". The word "Gur" means jaggery in the local state language of Hindi.[10]
Description
editIt is manufactured in the product form of liquid, powder & solid - with 80% preparation in solid form.[11][12] Some of the common shapes are:[13][14][15]
| Shape | Description | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Laddu (bheti) | Small spherical / Semi-spherical lumps | 50 to 250 grams |
| Dhayya (bheti) | Semi-spherical lumps | 2 to 3 kg |
| Pari | Semi-spherical lumps | 1 to 2 kg |
| Chaukhanta | Trapezodial lumps | 4 to 5 kg |
| Pansera | Semi-spherical lumps | 5 to 6 kg |
| Dhansera | Semi-spherical lumps | 9 to 10 kg |
| Balti | Tapered cylindrical lumps | 10 to 20 kg |
| Chaku | Trapezodial lumps | 10 to 20 kg |
| Khurpa pad[16] | Small trapezoidal slabs | 250 to 500 grams |
Traditional jaggery production
editThe jaggery-making process involves five key steps:[17]
- Extraction of juice from sugarcane is done using a crusher, typically a three-roller vertical cane crusher, which extracts about 60% of juice.
- Clarification of juice follows, using natural or chemical clarificants like sukhlai (a traditional ingredient, purifies and enhances the color of Gur, removing impurities and imparting a golden-brown hue and earthy flavor.) to remove impurities.
- Boiling and concentration of juice then occurs to produce syrup, where juice is boiled briskly to evaporate water and ingredients like mustard oil are added to prevent frothing.
- Cooling and molding into desired shapes, such as irregular or cake forms, takes place next, where hot syrup is worked out and left to solidify.
- Finally, final shaping and packaging occur, where the semi-solid product is transferred to a flat platform, cooled, and a handful of phatki or alum is added to enhance color and texture, resulting in dark brownish jaggery with a fair texture.
Usage
editIt is the oldest sweetening agent, used in various dishes and beverages. It is used in sweet dishes like laddoos, puran polis, kheer, and pitheys, as well as savory dishes. It plays a key role, including the festival of Makar Sankranti across India,
Geographical indication
editIt was awarded the Geographical Indication (GI) status tag from the Geographical Indications Registry under the Union Government of India on 31/03/2023 (valid until 01/12/2030).[18]
Haritzone Farmers Producer Company Limited from Muzaffarnagar , proposed the GI registration of Muzaffarnagar jaggery. After filing the application in December 2020, the jaggery was granted the GI tag in 2023 by the Geographical Indication Registry in Chennai, making the name "Muzaffarnagar Gur (Jaggery)" exclusive to the jaggery manufactured in the region. It thus became the first jaggery variety from Uttar Pradesh along with whole of India and the 46th type of goods from Uttar Pradesh to earn the GI tag.[19][20]
See also
editNotes
edit- ^ "UP social worker sends 1,000 kg of jaggery for Ram Mandir 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony". India Today. 18 January 2024. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ Kumar, Anuj (21 May 2019). "All for a gur cause: Muzaffarnagar to host jaggery fest". The Hindu. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ "Gur and khandsari stage revival through new production technology and savvy marketing". The Indian Express. 28 February 2024. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ Jai, Shreya (3 January 2014). "Muzaffarnagar's Gur industry recovers post-riot". The Economic Times. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ "Muzaffarnagar eager to win back its 'gur' image". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ "NABARD - National Bank For Agriculture And Rural Development". www.nabard.org. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ Singh, Dr Sheelwant (16 July 2024). Trillion Dollar Economy: Yogi Govt. | Uttar Pradesh On The Move The Plans, Policies, Goals And Achievements By The Government of The State |: Dr. Sheelwant Singh's Bestseller & Famous Book. Prabhat Prakashan. ISBN 978-93-5562-227-3. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ Agricultural Marketing. Controller of Publications. 2004. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ "Muzaffarnagar Gur Market Opens for New Season". Rediff. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ "Press Trust Of India". www.ptinews.com. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ "मुजफ्फरनगर के गन्ने से बन रहा 118 तरीके का गुड़, दुनियाभर में डिमांड". Navbharat Times (in Hindi). Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ "UP's first gur mahotsav begins in Muzaffarnagar". The Times of India. 9 June 2019. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ "Gur closes flat in Delhi, gur laddoo rises in Muzaffarnagar". Business Standard Private Ltd. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ "Gur ends flat in Delhi, gur raskat spurts in Muzaffarnagar". Business Standard Private Ltd. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ Team, DNA Web. "Gur ends quiet in Delhi, declines in Muzaffarnagar". DNA India. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ "Gur ends flat in thin trade". Business Standard Private Ltd. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ Panda, H. (1 October 2011). The Complete Book on Sugarcane Processing and By-Products of Molasses (with Analysis of Sugar, Syrup and Molasses): How is sugar made from sugarcane?, How Sugar Cane Is Made, How sugar is made, How to Make Sugar from Sugar Cane, How to make sugar from sugarcane, How to manufacture sugar from sugarcane, How to start a successful Sugarcane processing business, How to start a Sugar manufacturing business, How to Start a Sugar Production Business, How to Start a Sugarcane processing?, How to Start and Make Profit from Sugar-Cane, How to start process of making sugar from sugarcane. ASIA PACIFIC BUSINESS PRESS Inc. ISBN 978-81-7833-144-7. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ "Geographical Indications". Intellectual Property India. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ "18 Indian foods that have got the GI Tag". recipes.timesofindia.com. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ "Banarasi Paan and Langda Aam join GI club". Times of India. Retrieved 17 November 2024.