Mathania Mirch - A Chilli of Rajasthan
Taste characteristics
The test of
Mathania Chilli is medium spicy. Majorly known for its deep colour, powerful
flavour Aroma and taste.
Origin
A village called 'Mathania' situated 49
kilometres from Jodhpur city Rajasthan. The Chili got name from the name of
village. The king of a royal family obtained seed of these Mathania Chilli from
historical conquest and distributed the seeds among the farmers who started to
grow this chillies in Marwar region. However
chillies are not indigenous to Rajasthan. Mexico is known to have the earliest
record of chillies, which was discovered 5000 year ago.Chillies arrived in
India along with the Portuguese in the 16th century.
Rajasthani Preparations using Mathania Mirch
· The barries – Ker, Kumar, Sangri were home and
cooked along with khejri and mixed with Mathania Mirch. This dish came to known
as 'PANCHKUTA' and is one of Mater’s signature dish.
· Mathania Chilli Garlic chutney is prepared by
grinding the ingredients using traditional stone grinding contraption called sil
to mash the Chillies on a stone slab called a batta. The most popular way to
eat chutney with flat bread called
chapaties.
· Laal Maas is traditionally prepared with Madan chillies. Today people have and alternative options, but Mathania mirch still redefines the dish.
· The popular dish from Marwar Called “Ker
Sangri” is traditionally prepared with MathaniaMirch.
Cultivation
With conducive weather conditions in
Mathania, the region finds itself the chosen ground for these chillies which
flourish during the tropical months between March and July. In its uniqueness,
this chilly grows only in Mathaniain Rajasthan and has, therefore, come to be
known as “Mathania lal mirch”.
Traditionally,it
is said that,while farming, the farmers brought ash of their ancestors bodies from the land of cemetery which is near by village and spread over agriculture land, they do this activities because its their believe that by doing this, they get the blessings of
their ancestors. They also apply soil to land which bought from caves where bats having their life. This are the believes and technique used in history of village. Now, farmers cultivate chillies normally but still some farmers cultivate by older methods.
In its past, Mathania was also
known for the industrial production of malmal, but the textile trade soon
withered away. Today, Mathania has resident families working on harvesting,
drying, grinding the chillies, while the ladies of the house also make
the very Rajasthani, very intense mirchiki chutney with chillies soaked
overnight and then ground with garlic and a few other spices.
With changing soil and weather
conditions, this red beauty is facing challenges in the near future, According
to a report by Central Arid Zone research Institute, Mathania chilly is said to
be on the verge of extinction and the best way to keep it alive is to use it
abundantly in your kitchen.
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