Banarasi Paan among 4 foods to get GI Tag

Banaras, also known as Varanasi, is a city in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, famous for its rich cultural and culinary heritage. While Chaat, Kachori and Lassi are unique to this city, Banarasi Paan has been a highlight of the region. This Banarasi Paan has not only featured in Bollywood songs but also in some popular novels.

Banarasi Paan has finally been awarded the GI Tag. Three other foods from the Varanasi region- Banarasi Langda Mango, Ramnagar Bhanta (Brinjal) and Adamchini Rice have also received the GI tag. With this, the total tally of products with GI Tag from Kashi region alone has reached 22. Read on to know more. (all image credits-istock)

The GI Tag, also known as the Geographical Indication Certification, is a type of intellectual property right granted to a product that originates from a specific geographical region and possesses distinctive qualities or a reputation closely linked to that region.

In India, the Geographical Indication Registry in Chennai grants the GI tag, which is overseen by the Controller General of Patents, Designs, and Trade Marks under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Products like dishes, agricultural products, handicraft, industrial products etc are some of the categories of GI Tag.

The primary aim of the GI tag is to safeguard products from imitation or production elsewhere and to promote and uphold the product's unique identity, quality, and legacy.

Banarasi Paan is made using Betel leaf of ‘Paan Patta’ which is the primary ingredient. Banarasi Paan. This leaf which contains all the other ingredients is then folded to make a pocket, which is called Paan. Here are the most popular ingredients of Paan- Supari, Gulkand, Saunf, Chuna, Katha, Kesar Chutney, Chuara, Coconut, Tutti Frutti or Sugar, Elaichi and Jaiphal powder.

India is known for its rich food diversity and each region has its own unique flavour and produce. Here are some famous foods from India that have been awarded the GI Tag- Darjeeling Tea from West Bengal, Alphonso Mango from Konkan region, Nagpur Orange from Maharashtra, Basmati Rice from Indo-Gangetic Plains, Coorg Arabica Coffee from Karnataka, Mysore Pak from Karnataka, Agra Petha from Uttar Pradesh, Malabar Pepper from Kerala, Tirupati Laddu from Tirumala in Andhra Pradesh, Bikaneri Bhujia from Rajasthan, Allahabad Surkha Guava from Prayagraj (UP), Saffron from Kashmir, Alleppey Cardamom from Kerala, Black Rice from Manipur and more.

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