Byadgi chilli
Encyclopedia
Byadgi chilli is a famous variety of chilli
mainly grown in the Indian state of Karnataka
. It is named after the town of Byadgi
which is located in the Haveri district
of Karnataka. The business involving Byadgi chillis has the second largest turnover among all chilli varieties of India. An oil, oleoresin extracted from these chillies is used in the preparation of nail polish
and lipstick
s. Byadgi chilli is also known for its deep red colour and is less spicy and is used in many food preparations of South India
. They are also known as kaddi (meaning stick-like) chillies.
content making it less pungent than other chilli varieties.
, sambar, chutney
s and other food items of South India
and is widely used in the Udupi cuisine
. It is also used in meat preparations because of the bright red colour that it imparts to the meat. 25 industries in and around Byadgi are involved in grinding these chillies into powder and selling them to masala
manufacturers like MTR Food Products.
where it is further refined before being exported to countries like USA, Japan
and those in Europe
.
; annual sales are about Rs. 300 crores ($75 million). This market attracts traders from all over Karnataka and from neighbouring Andhra Pradesh
because of favourable conditions for business like fair price, immediate payment and accurate measurement of the chillis. The recent uprise of sales of low-priced, more-pungent chilli varieties into the market have cause a dent in the price of Byadgi chillies as well. Because of this, the farmers involved in its cultivation may not be able to make the required profits on their yield.
Chili pepper
Chili pepper is the fruit of plants from the genus Capsicum, members of the nightshade family, Solanaceae. The term in British English and in Australia, New Zealand, India, Malaysia and other Asian countries is just chilli without pepper.Chili peppers originated in the Americas...
mainly grown in the Indian state of Karnataka
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
. It is named after the town of Byadgi
Byadgi
Byadgi is a town in Haveri district in the state of Karnataka, India. Its around 18 km north west of the famous business center Ranebennur. The town is famous for the red Byadgi chilli.The surrounding areas of Byadgi produce chilli which is dried in sunlight and sent to different markets...
which is located in the Haveri district
Haveri District
Haveri is a district in the state of Karnataka, India with the potential to become a tourist hub. As of 2001, it had a population of 1,439,116 of which 20.78% were urban residents.-Tourism:Examples of tourist attractions in the district:...
of Karnataka. The business involving Byadgi chillis has the second largest turnover among all chilli varieties of India. An oil, oleoresin extracted from these chillies is used in the preparation of nail polish
Nail polish
Nail polish, or nail varnish, is a lacquer applied to human fingernails or toenails to decorate and/or protect the nail plate.-History:...
and lipstick
Lipstick
Lipstick is a cosmetic product containing pigments, oils, waxes, and emollients that applies color, texture, and protection to the lips. Many varieties of lipstick are known. As with most other types of makeup, lipstick is typically, but not exclusively, worn by women...
s. Byadgi chilli is also known for its deep red colour and is less spicy and is used in many food preparations of South India
South India
South India is the area encompassing India's states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu as well as the union territories of Lakshadweep and Pondicherry, occupying 19.31% of India's area...
. They are also known as kaddi (meaning stick-like) chillies.
Characteristics
Byadagi Chilli plants begin flowering 40 days after transplantation although the majority of flowers bloom 60 to 80 days after transplanting. The chilli pods are harvested from January to May. The annual production of Byadgi Billi is around 21,000 kg. The quality of chilli varieties is measured in terms of the extractable red colour pigment; this color is measured in ASTA colour units. Byadgi Billi has an ASTA colour value of 156.9. The higher the ASTA colour unit, the better the quality of chilli and therefore the higher the price. The Byadgi chilli has negligible capsaicinCapsaicin
Capsaicin 2CHCH=CH4CONHCH2C6H3-4--3- ) is the active component of chili peppers, which are plants belonging to the genus Capsicum. It is an irritant for mammals, including humans, and produces a sensation of burning in any tissue with which it comes into contact...
content making it less pungent than other chilli varieties.
Cuisine
Byadgi chilli is an important ingredient in spicy preparations like Bisi bele bathBisi Bele Bath
Bisi bele bhath is a rice-based dish with its origins in the state of Karnataka, India. Bisi-bele-bhaath translates to hot-lentil-rice in the Kannada language. It is also known as Bisi bele huliyanna. The traditional preparation of this dish is quite elaborate and involves the use of spicy masala,...
, sambar, chutney
Chutney
Chutney is a a condiment used in South Asian cuisine that usually contains a spice and vegetable mix.Chutneys are wet or dry, having a coarse to fine texture. The Anglo-Indian loan word refers to fresh and pickled preparations indiscriminately, with preserves often sweetened. At least several...
s and other food items of South India
South India
South India is the area encompassing India's states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu as well as the union territories of Lakshadweep and Pondicherry, occupying 19.31% of India's area...
and is widely used in the Udupi cuisine
Udupi cuisine
Udupi cuisine is a world-renowned cuisine of South India. It forms an important part of the Cuisine of Karnataka and takes its name from Udupi, a town on the southwest coast of India in the state of Karnataka. The Udupi cuisine has its origin in the Ashta mathas of Udupi founded by...
. It is also used in meat preparations because of the bright red colour that it imparts to the meat. 25 industries in and around Byadgi are involved in grinding these chillies into powder and selling them to masala
Masala
Masala or massala is a term used in South Asian cuisines to mostly describe a mixture of spices. A masala can either be a combination of dried spices, or a paste made from a mixture of spices and other ingredients—often garlic, ginger, onions and chilli paste...
manufacturers like MTR Food Products.
Oleoresin
Earlier Byadgi Chilli was grown mainly for the purpose of using it in food items as a spicy ingredient but recently, it has also been grown for the extraction of oleoresin, a red oil from the pods. Oleoresin is used in the preparation of nail polish and lipsticks. The extraction of oleoresin has also led to the creation of cold storage units in Byadgi since the chilli pods have to be maintained at a low temperature of 4 to 6 degree Celsius in order to maintain the colour and purity. Storing in cold storage units also increases the amount of oleoresin extracted from chilli by about 30-40%. About 50 litres of oleoresin can be extracted from about 1 tonne of Byadgi chillies. Companies have been set up in and around Byadgi that are involved in the extraction of oleoresin. This oleoresin is then sent to KeralaKerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
where it is further refined before being exported to countries like USA, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
and those in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
.
Business
Byadgi chillies are primarily sold at the Byadgi chilli marketMarket
A market is one of many varieties of systems, institutions, procedures, social relations and infrastructures whereby parties engage in exchange. While parties may exchange goods and services by barter, most markets rely on sellers offering their goods or services in exchange for money from buyers...
; annual sales are about Rs. 300 crores ($75 million). This market attracts traders from all over Karnataka and from neighbouring Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh , is one of the 28 states of India, situated on the southeastern coast of India. It is India's fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city by population is Hyderabad.The total GDP of Andhra Pradesh is $100 billion and is ranked third...
because of favourable conditions for business like fair price, immediate payment and accurate measurement of the chillis. The recent uprise of sales of low-priced, more-pungent chilli varieties into the market have cause a dent in the price of Byadgi chillies as well. Because of this, the farmers involved in its cultivation may not be able to make the required profits on their yield.