Joha Rice

The aromatic rice of Assam is a renowned class under the Sali rice known as Joha. This class of rice extracts a premium price in the market and is often used in the preparation of local delicacies as well as kanji (gruel), pulao, biryani and kheer.

Interestingly, Khorika Joha has been mentioned in detail by Kaviraja Madhava Kandali in the 14th century Assamese version of the Ramayana (Saptakanda Ramayana) which is believed to be one of the earliest written scriptures in Assamese language. According to this text, Ravana was at his wits end when all his attempts to rouse his younger brother Kumbhakarna from his deep slumber failed. Ravana used every trick he could think of to wake him up with one of them being to place a heap of delicious food made from Khorika Joha near his nose to tempt his senses.