
Manipur, a state in north eastern part of India, is known for one special category of rice called Chakhao. This rice is black in colour, has been growing both in plains and hills of Manipur for ages. The rice has many medicinal values. It is anti inflammatory, anti carcinogenic, beneficial for heart, preventive for disease like Alzheimer and many more. The rice is easy to grow without any chemical fertilizers. The soil composition of that region provides suitable nutrition in growing this rice. This aromatic Chakhao is consumed today in various forms, but traditionally it has always been part of community feasts.