Barnyard Millet (Kuthiraivali)

Unpolished Barnyard Millet (Kuthiraivali) — the lightest grain in our range and the traditional fasting millet of Tamil Nadu. Quick to cook, mild in flavour, and the millet most often chosen for viratham and light evening meals.

Key Benefits

• The lowest energy of the common millets — 307 kcal per 100 g.
• A source of iron — 5.0 mg per 100 g.
• High in phosphorus (~40% NRV) — 280 mg per 100 g.
• A source of magnesium — 82 mg per 100 g.
• Naturally gluten-free and traditionally eaten during viratham and fasting days.

Nutritional Information

Source: NIN Nutritive Value of Indian Foods via ICAR-IIMR. Barnyard millet is not listed in IFCT 2017. The fibre figure is crude fibre, not total dietary fibre. Published values for this millet vary widely between cultivars — we quote the national reference tables rather than the higher single-cultivar figures often seen online. Published glycemic index 50.0 dehulled (Ugare et al., J Food Sci Technol 2014).

Traditional Tamil Uses

• Kuthiraivali pongal — the fasting-day favourite
• Kuthiraivali upma with vegetables
• Kuthiraivali idli and dosai
• Kuthiraivali puli sadam — tamarind millet rice
• Kuthiraivali kanji for a light supper

Storage Instructions

• Store in an airtight food-grade steel, glass or HDPE container in a cool, dark place away from the stove.
• Best quality within 4–6 months in Chennai's humidity. Dehulled millets carry an exposed germ, so they turn rancid rather than stale — we print an honest date rather than a 12-month one.
• Freeze the sealed pack for 72 hours on arrival to eliminate any grain pest eggs. This is the single most effective step and is fully organic-compliant.
• Traditional deterrents work: a few dried neem leaves (vembu ilai), 3–4 dried red chillies or a bay leaf in the jar.
• If weevils appear, sun-dry 4–6 hours, winnow and freeze for 72 hours. Discard only if the grain smells musty.

Certifications & Compliance

• FSSAI licensed food business — licence number displayed in our website footer.
• Grown without synthetic pesticides or chemical fertilisers.
• Organic certification: PGS-India / NPOP (certificate available on request).
• Unpolished and unpolished-graded — no oil, water or leather polish is used at any stage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it more expensive than other millets?
Barnyard millet yields less per acre and there is limited land under organic cultivation, so the farm-gate price is consistently higher.

Is it suitable for fasting?
Yes — kuthiraivali is traditionally eaten during viratham and fasting days across Tamil Nadu and the rest of India.

How much water does it need?
One part millet to three parts water. It absorbs more than the other small millets.