6 Unique Delicious Foods Of Odisha That Grabbed The Coveted GI Tag

GI or Geographical Indication tag is given to products that originated from a specific geographical location with their quality and reputation closely connected to the original place.

GI tag is given to agricultural products, foods, wine and spirit drinks, industrial products, and handicrafts. A GI tag boosts consumers' confidence in your products while also enhancing your product reputation, supporting the regional economy, preventing any fraudulent use of the origin, and communicating as a part of your social responsibility.

The land of Lord Jagannath has secured many GI tags with its authentic products and foods. Let’s have a look at a few:

Koraput Kala Jeera Rice: Domesticated by the ancestors of tribal communities in Koraput, Kala Jeera Rice also known as ‘Prince of Rice’, is an aromatic, nutritious, and good textured black rice that has many health benefits. It grabbed the GI tag in 2023.

Similipal Kai chutney: Found plentily in the forests of Similipal, Red weaver ants are known for their painful stings that can cause blisters on the skin. However, they have found a special place in the plates of tribal communities as a semi-sold chutney which is laden with unique taste and nutrition. Recently in January 2024, this dish got a GI tag.

Nayagarh Kanteimundi Brinjal: Solely produced in the Nayagarh district of Odisha, this brinjal is tastier and takes less time to cook compared to other varieties of brinjals. They are also resistant to pests and diseases. It received a GI tag in 2023.

Gajapati Date Palm Jaggery: Produced by the Soura Tribe of Gajapati from widely available date palm trees on the hillsides, this jaggery is purely organic with an incredibly sweet taste. It was submitted by an IPR expert from the MSME Ministry of the government of India for the GI tag in 2020.

Rasabali Kendrapara: With a history of more than 200 years, these aromatic deep-fried cheese patties are not only the region's culinary pride but also serve as prasad in the Baladevjew temple in Kendrapara.

Dhenkanal Magji: Extremely delicious with a sweet taste, Magji is a white laddo made from buffalo milk cheese solely that has been made in the Dhenkanal district for over 100 years. The Odisha University of Technology (OUAT) applied for a GI tag for this sweet dish in 2020.