Hot Stories of Red Chillies in Rajasthan

Red Chillies, no wonder may add fiery to tastes, but the tastes of Rajasthan is incomplete without the red chillies of the the desert. It is here that the chilli tradition has taken to wings and people can't just imagine to have a meal without the soul ingredient of the state. Certain areas go for the production of Chilli and Naguar is one such quaint town of Rajasthan that has accelerated in Chilli production in recent years. Naguar town located in Mewar district is also home to the third largest cattle festival of the state. The fair is organised in honour of prince-turned-saint Baba Ramdeo and the fair showcases Nagauri bulls, a variety of cattle, camels, marwari horses and puts to display cheap priced chillies that are a real fascination of this region.

The display of the chillies actually takes place on a two- minutes walk from the location of the fair when the nose starts twitching and the air has an unmistakable pungency of red spices. The chillies are kept in a small camp of traders here arranged in rows and kept in piles of gunny sacks, that bursts out to reveal its contents – the red hot Rajasthani Chillies. These chillies soak up the fire of Sun from the dried arid desert air of Rajasthan before reaching to this market. The red hot chilli pepper gets its due here as it is one indispensable ingredient of the Indian Cuisine. The Lal Mirchi Bazaar of Naguar fair so is a must visit to catch the glimpse of real Indian chillies. The fair starts in February, but the chilli trade continues well upto March. The long, red chillies ranges from tez (sharp), to meethi (sweet) or rangeen (colourful). However, for the untrained tongue it is just one word that can describe the chillies well – fiery.

The best way, however, to judge a chillie according to a trader, is to hold it in light and to look through through its veins. The more dried and wrinkled the chilli is, the more heat it adds to the food. But, scientific explanation may not go by it as colour is not necessarily the indicator for heat. Infact, there are two important commercial qualities of chilies – colour and pungency. The red colour is an attribute offered by the pigment casanthin, while the biting pungency of chillies is donated by the pigment capsaicin.

However, the Rajputana pride is concentrated in one variety of Chilli. The flavour of this genre of chillis is unique and people are willing to pay high prices for it. Chillies, at resonable prices can also be brought from farmers of Nagaur themselves. The proof of its pungency lies in the tasting.

For more information about festivals of Rajasthan, log on to http://www.rajasthanunlimited.com/fair-festival/ and for more insights into cuisines of Rajasthan log on to http://www.rajasthanunlimited.com/cuisine/

The Author is a well known writer and has traveled to many destinations of India. She expertises in many subjects and it is a fun for her to bring to limelight anything new and exciting that comes her way.