Kodo is an annual tufted grass that was domesticated in India almost 3000 years ago. The grains vary in colour from light red to dark grey, and like most millets the fiber content is very high.
Known as Varagu in Tamil, Haraka inĀ Kannada,Ā KodraĀ inĀ Hindi,Ā ArikeluĀ in Telugu, kodo millets are storehouse of nutrients.
- Low glycemicĀ index ā Which means that Kodo millets release glucose/energy slowly, over a longer period of time and thus helps in sugar control. This makes it a great substitute for polished white rice
- Gluten-free āĀ Great for people with gluten intolerance or celiac disease.
- Ā Easy to digest
- Rich in antioxidantsĀ like polyphenols
- Rich in dietary fiber.
- Good source of vitaminsĀ – Vitamin B6, Niacin, folic acid and minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesiumĀ andĀ zinc
Regular consumption of Kodo millet is very beneficial for postmenopausal women suffering from signs of cardiovascular diseases like high blood pressure and high-cholesterol levels
Substitute Kodo millet in your favourite recipes
Thereās no need to give up the food you love. Just replace one or two of the ingredients with millets and youāll end up eating a tasty, balanced diet thatās nutritious too. Here are some of the things you can do:
Good for you and good for the land
Interestingly, many millet farmers practice āakkadiā, a mixed cropping system that not only increases farm productivity but also increases on-farm biodiversity and sustainability, by improving soil fertility and suppression of pests and diseases.
Millets are environmentally friendly, and by consuming them, we encourage farmers in arid and semi arid areas to grow crops best suited for those regions ā another step towards sustainableĀ farming and biodiversity.
Ā For how to cook kodo millets, check our recipe blogĀ
