Every millet, explained

The grains India calls Shree Anna — where each comes from, what the old books say, what is in it and how India cooks it. Every line has its source. ISHVA marks the ones we pack.

Major millets

Jowar (sorghum)Sorghum bicolorSorghum cultivation originated in the eastern Sudanese savannah; Nigeria, the USA and Sudan are the largest producers today.14 recipes →Bajra (pearl millet)Pennisetum glaucumPearl millet originated in West Africa and is grown across the semi-arid tropics of Africa and Asia.14 recipes →
Millets through the agesFrom the Vedas to your plateNeolithic fields, the Vedic fire, Kautilya’s storehouse, the Sangam poems, the Andes — every line with its source, and the dish you can cook from it. Walk through the ages →

Small millets

Foxtail milletకొర్రలు · Korraluकंगनी · KangniISHVAKodo milletఅరికలు · Arikaluकोदो · KodoISHVALittle milletసామలు · Samaluकुटकी · KutkiISHVABarnyard milletఊదలు · Oodaluसावां · SanwaRagiరాగులు · Raguluरागी · RagiProso milletవరిగెలు · Varigeluचेना · ChenaBrowntop milletఅండు కొర్రలు · Andu korraluछोटी कंगनी · Chhoti kangni

Pseudo-cereals

Seeds of plants that are not grasses, cooked like grains. India counts kuttu and rajgira in Shree Anna.

QuinoaChenopodium quinoaISHVAKuttu (buckwheat)Fagopyrum esculentumRajgira (amaranth)Amaranthus spp.

Around the world

TeffTeff is originally from Ethiopia; a major staple in Ethiopia and Eritrea; also cultivated in the USA, South Africa, Australia, India and Kenya.FonioWhite fonio (Digitaria exilis) originated in West Africa; today grown mainly in Guinea, then Nigeria, Mali, Burkina Faso and others.