Tijusacademyoet at 22:30, 11 September 2025

2025-09-11T22:30:27Z

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{{Short description|Chilli variety grown in Goa, India}}
{{Infobox cultivar
| name = Harmal chilli
| image = Closeup view of special cover released on 17 December 2021 for Harmal Chilli 02.jpg
| image_alt = Closeup view of special cover released on 17 December 2021 for Harmal Chilli
| image_caption = Closeup view of special cover released on 17 December 2021 for Harmal Chilli
| species = ''[[Capsicum annuum]]''
| origin = [[Goa]], [[India]]
| module = {{Infobox pepper
|embed = yes
|heat =
|scoville = 28,200<ref>{{cite news |title=17 types of chillies grown in India, their uses and spiciness |url=https://recipes.timesofindia.com/web-stories/17-types-of-chillies-grown-in-india-their-uses-and-spiciness/photostory/98337145.cms |access-date=24 September 2024}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite book |title=GI Journal No. 137 1 May 29, 2020 |publisher=GI Journal No. 137 1 May 29, 2020 Official website of Intellectual Property India |page=8 |url=https://www.ipindia.gov.in/writereaddata/Portal/Images/pdf/Journal_137.pdf |access-date=24 September 2024}}</ref>}}
}}
The '''Harmal chilli''' is a variety of [[chili pepper|chilli]] mainly grown in the [[State of India|Indian state]] of [[Goa]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Variyar |first1=Prasad S. |last2=Singh |first2=Inder Pal |last3=Adiani |first3=Vanshika |last4=Suprasanna |first4=Penna |title=Peppers: Biological, Health, and Postharvest Perspectives |date=8 November 2024 |publisher=CRC Press |isbn=978-1-040-15384-0 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=L-EoEQAAQBAJ&dq=harmal+chilli&pg=PA19 |access-date=6 November 2024 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Ltd |first1=Info Kerala Communications Pvt |title=Kerala Tradition & Fascinating Destinations 2022 |date=10 October 2022 |publisher=Info Kerala Communications Pvt Ltd |isbn=978-93-91760-02-1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pOKUEAAAQBAJ&dq=harmal+chilli&pg=PA396 |access-date=6 November 2024 |language=en}}</ref>

==Name==
It is named after its place of origin, the coastal village of Harmal (now [[Arambol]]), located in [[Pernem taluka|Pernem]], [[Goa]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Ravindran |first1=P. N. |last2=Sivaraman |first2=K. |last3=Devasahayam |first3=S. |last4=Babu |first4=K. Nirmal |title=Handbook of Spices in India: 75 Years of Research and Development |date=2024 |publisher=Springer Nature |isbn=978-981-19-3728-6 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Vz4QEQAAQBAJ&dq=harmal+chilli&pg=PA2041 |access-date=6 November 2024 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=A tourist village rooted in religion |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/a-tourist-village-rooted-in-religion/articleshow/61827050.cms |access-date=24 September 2024 |work=The Times of India |date=28 November 2017}}</ref> This smooth red chilli with medium to high pungency has been grown for over 200 years in Goa and is used in the preparation of Chicken [[Xacuti]], [[Vindaloo]] and other Goan dishes.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Sen |first1=Colleen Taylor |last2=Bhattacharyya |first2=Sourish |last3=Saberi |first3=Helen |title=The Bloomsbury Handbook of Indian Cuisine |date=23 February 2023 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |isbn=978-1-350-12864-4 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3jusEAAAQBAJ&dq=harmal+chilli&pg=PA83 |access-date=6 November 2024 |language=en}}</ref>

===Local name===
It is known as Harmal ''mirsang'' - ''Mirsang'' in the state language of [[Konkani language|Konkani]] means chilli.

==Description==
===Cultivation===
The Harmal chilli is predominantly grown in the [[Laterite|lateritic soil]] of Arambol, Goa, where it thrives in household gardens.<ref>{{cite news |title=Goa: Moira bananas, Harmal chillies get GI tag |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/moira-bananas-harmal-chillies-get-gi-tag/articleshow/77294024.cms |access-date=24 September 2024 |work=The Times of India |date=1 August 2020}}</ref>

===Physical Characteristics===
This variety of chilli measures 2.7-3.7 cm in length, exhibits a reddish-brown color, and features a smooth skin texture.

===Pungency and Usage===
Noted for its high pungency, even a small quantity of Harmal chilli powder is sufficient to add significant flavor to dishes. Due to its intense heat, it is often blended with other spices (masalas) to create iconic [[Goan cuisine|Goan culinary]] preparations like [[Xacuti|Chicken Xacuti Masala]], Garam Masala, [[Khatkhate]]m, Recheado Masala.

==Photo Gallery==
Actual photos from Lavu Ankush Thakur - the main applicant for GI Tag from The Harmal-Pernem Chilli (Mirchi) Growers Association.<ref>{{cite news |title=GI tagged, but what’s the future? |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/events/goa/gi-tagged-but-whats-the-future/articleshow/99060744.cms |access-date=8 December 2024 |work=The Times of India |date=28 March 2023}}</ref>

<gallery>
File:Special cover released on 17 December 2021 for Harmal Chilli - front side.jpg|Special cover released on 17 December 2021 for Harmal Chilli by [[India Post]] - front side<ref>{{cite news |last1=Team |first1=Herald |title=Biodiversity in Goa through the world of philately |url=https://www.heraldgoa.in/Cafe/Biodiversity-in-Goa-through-the-world-of-philately/221636 |access-date=8 December 2024 |work=Herald Goa |date=21 May 2024 |language=en}}</ref>

File:Special cover released on 17 December 2021 for Harmal Chilli - back side.jpg|Special cover - back side

File:Special cancellation released on 17 December 2021 for Harmal Chilli.jpg|Special cancellation (a unique postmark that is issued to commemorate a special event or occasion)<ref>{{cite news |title=Goan food becomes philatelic material |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/goan-food-becomes-philatelic-material/articleshow/88350516.cms |access-date=8 December 2024 |work=The Times of India |date=18 December 2021}}</ref>

File:Lavu Thakur received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Governor of Goa, in the presence of CM Pramod Sawant and President Ram Nath at Raj Bhavan.jpg|Lavu Thakur received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Governor of Goa, in the presence of CM Pramod Sawant and President Ram Nath at Raj Bhavan, recognizing his efforts in securing the prestigious GI certification for Harmal Chilli.<ref>{{cite news |title=PRESIDENT LAYS FOUNDATION STONE FOR NEW RAJ BHAVAN – Department of Information and Publicity |url=https://dip.goa.gov.in/2022/06/15/president-lays-foundation-stone-for-new-raj-bhavan/ |access-date=8 December 2024 |agency=Department of Information and Publicity Goa, India |date=15 June 2022}}</ref>

File:Lavu Thakur receiving Certification of Award from Governor of Goa in presence of Chief Minister of Goa - Pramod Sawant.jpg| Close-up photo of Lavu Thakur receiving Certification of Award

File:Certificate of Appreciation received of Lavu Thakur from the Governor of Goa, in the presence of CM Pramod Sawant and President Ram Nath at Raj Bhavan.jpg|Certificate of Appreciation received of Lavu Thakur from the Governor of Goa, in the presence of CM Pramod Sawant and President Ram Nath at Raj Bhavan<ref>{{cite news |last1=Times |first1=Navhind |title=Big push to new Raj Bhavan |url=https://www.navhindtimes.in/2022/06/16/goanews/big-push-to-new-raj-bhavan/ |access-date=8 December 2024 |work=The Navhind Times |date=15 June 2022}}</ref>

</gallery>

==Geographical indication==
It was awarded the [[List of geographical indications in India|Geographical Indication]] (GI) status tag from the [[Geographical Indication Registry (India)|Geographical Indications Registry]] under the [[Government of India|Union Government of India]] on 14 September 2021 (valid until 13 January 2029).<ref>{{cite web |title=Geographical Indications Intellectual Property India |url=https://search.ipindia.gov.in/GIRPublic/Application/Details/642 |access-date=24 September 2024}}</ref>

The Harmal-Pernem Chilli (Mirchi) Growers Association from [[Pernem]], proposed the GI registration of Harmal Chilli. After filing the application in May 2020, the chilli was granted the GI tag in 2021 by the Geographical Indication Registry in [[Chennai]], making the name "Harmal Chilli" exclusive to the chilies grown in the region. It thus became the second chilli variety from Goa after [[Khola Chilli]] and the 3rd type of goods from Goa to earn the GI tag.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Times |first1=Navhind |title=Khaje, Harmal chillies and Moira bananas get GI tag |url=https://www.navhindtimes.in/2020/08/01/goanews/khaje-harmal-chillies-and-moira-bananas-get-gi-tag/ |access-date=24 September 2024 |work=The Navhind Times |date=31 July 2020}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Goa Mankurad Mango]]
* [[Khola Chilli]]
* [[Goa Cashew (Kaju or Caju)]]

==References ==
{{reflist}}
{{Capsicum Cultivars}}

[[Category:Goan cuisine]]
[[Category:Indian spices]]
[[Category:GI Tagged Chillies of India]]
[[Category:Economy of Goa]]
[[Category:Agriculture in Goa]]
[[Category:Geographical indications in Goa]]
[[Category:North Goa district]]
[[Category:Capsicum cultivars]]

Harmal chilli - Revision history

Tijusacademyoet at 22:30, 11 September 2025