Gobindbhog Rice

Sourced From a Seed Warrior's Farm

Tucked away amidst the dense forests of Bankura, West Bengal, lies the farm of Mr. Bhairab Saini, an indigenous rice seed conservationist. This is also the farm from which our Gobindobhog Raw Rice is sourced. Bhairab Da began farming in 1993, but it wasn't until 2004 that he realised the importance of growing natural food after witnessing the environmental and health risks posed by conventionally grown crops sprayed with synthetic fertilisers and pesticides. Monks Bouffe takes a lot of pride in stating that the Gobindobhog Rice that we offer today, is one of the 300+ indigenous rice varieties conserved by him.

Aromatic Gobindobhog Rice - A staple of Bengal

The nutritive value of Gobindobhog rice, we believe, is found to be far superior to that of brown rice. Aside from that, unlike Basmati Rice, which has a high starch content, it can be consumed on a daily basis. This rice derivative is easy to digest and nutritious, and it is used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat body deficiencies. For over 500 years, this uniquely flavoured rice has been an integral part of Bengali rituals, festivals, and celebrations. As a result, it has become a renowned delicacy in its own right. A Bengali specialty, this rice brings to mind happy times spent with family and feasts shared with grandparents. Gobindobhog Rice, which was once devoured by our ancestors and is now being rediscoveried all over the country, has a special charm that can be brought out with just a touch of ghee!

Bengal's Beloved Rice with a Sweet Buttery Flavour

Gobindobhog Rice needs little introduction. It is one of the most promising non-Basmati varieties, and is predominantly cultivated by farmers in the East *Burdwan region of West Bengal, which is commonly referred to as the "Rice Bowl of India." This particular kind of rice, in contrast to many others, is subjected to just one polishing stage rather than two. This partially preserves the natural high level of dietary fibre of the rice when compared to other totally polished forms of white rice. Not only is it recognised as a khaas dhan, which literally translates to "special grain," but it is also the offering of choice for Lord Krishna, which is where it gets its unique name. Known across the nation for its aroma & fine texture, this rice is characterised by its short grains, rich, sweet & buttery flavour. *Bankura, from where we source our Gobindobhog Rice, is one of the 7 districts of Burdwan division.