Skip to main content

Sorghum (Jowar / Cholam): The Ancient Gluten-Free Super Grain

 

Sorghum (Jowar / Cholam): The Ancient Gluten-Free Super Grain

🔬 Scientific Name: Sorghum bicolor

🌍 Common Names Worldwide:

🇮🇳 Indian Languages:

  • Hindi: ज्वार (Jowar)

  • Tamil: சோளம் (Cholam)

  • Telugu: జొన్న (Jonnalu)

  • Kannada: ಜೋಳ (Jola)

  • Marathi: ज्वारी (Jwari)

  • Gujarati: જુવાર (Juvar)

  • Bengali: জোয়ার (Jowar)

  • Punjabi: ਜਵਾਰ (Jawar)

  • Malayalam: ചോളം (Cholam)

🌏 Global Names:

  • Africa: Guinea corn (Nigeria), Mtama (Swahili)

  • USA: Milo (used in animal feed & gluten-free products)

  • China: 高粱 (Gāoliáng)

  • Mexico: Sorgo / Maicillo

  • French: Sorgho

  • Spanish: Sorgo

  • Portuguese: Sorgo

  • Arabic: الذرة الرفيعة (Al-dhura al-rafia)



💡 Why Sorghum? Key Health Benefits 

🌾 Gluten-Free & Gut-Friendly

→ Safe for celiac disease & gluten intolerance.

🛡️ Rich in Antioxidants (Polyphenols & Flavonoids)

→ Fights inflammation & oxidative stress.

🩸 Low Glycemic Index (Diabetic-Friendly)

→ Helps stabilize blood sugar levels.

❤️ Heart-Healthy Grain

→ Reduces LDL cholesterol & supports cardiovascular health.

💪 High in Protein & Fiber

→ Promotes muscle growth & digestion.

🌱 Sustainable & Drought-Resistant

→ Requires less water than wheat or rice.



🍽️ How to Use Sorghum?

  • Jowar Roti / Bhakri (Indian flatbread)

  • Sorghum Porridge (Healthy breakfast)

  • Popped Sorghum (Like popcorn – a crunchy snack)

  • Sorghum Upma / Dosa (Savory dishes)

  • Sorghum Flour (For baking gluten-free bread & cookies)

  • Sorghum Syrup (Natural sweetener alternative)


🌍 Why Is Sorghum a Future Superfood?

Climate-smart crop – Grows in dry conditions with minimal water.
Versatile usage – From flour to syrup to animal feed.
Nutrient powerhouse – Packed with iron, magnesium & B-vitamins.


🌟 Did You Know?

  • In Africa, sorghum is used to brew traditional beer.

  • In USA, it’s a key ingredient in gluten-free beers & cereals.

  • NASA considers sorghum a space crop due to its resilience!

Ready to try Jowar in your meals? 😊🌱

Guide to Millets: Nature’s Nutritional Powerhouses

 Home page

 

Comments

Most visited

Oyilattam: The Graceful Tamil Folk Dance of Rhythmic Movements

Introduction Oyilattam , a vibrant and energetic folk dance from Tamil Nadu, is a mesmerizing art form that blends rhythmic movements, colorful costumes, and traditional music. The word “Oyil” means grace or beauty , and “Attam” means dance —together, they describe a performance that celebrates elegance and cultural pride. Often showcased during festivals and community gatherings, Oyilattam is not just entertainment—it’s a living expression of Tamil heritage and unity. 🌿 Origins and Cultural Significance Oyilattam traces its roots to rural Tamil Nadu, where it was traditionally performed by men during harvest festivals, temple rituals, and even to mark victories in battle. Over the years, women too began participating, enriching the art form with new layers of expression and vibrancy. This dance carries deep cultural meaning, symbolizing unity, valor, and devotion . It is most commonly performed during: Pongal – the harvest festival of Tamil Nadu 🌾 Temple festivals ...

🥁 Thappattam (Parai Attam): The Rhythmic Soul of Tamil Nadu

🌿 Introduction Thappattam , also known as Parai Attam , is one of the oldest and most dynamic traditional art forms of Tamil Nadu. Rooted deeply in Tamil culture, it is a mesmerizing blend of drumming, dance, and storytelling . More than just performance, it is an expression of community, resistance, celebration, and identity . Originally used as a tool of communication and announcements in villages, the Parai evolved into a powerful performance art form that continues to echo the resilience and heritage of Tamil society , especially the voices of the marginalized. 🥁 The Instrument: Parai (Thappu) The word “Parai” means to speak or to tell . True to its name, the Parai drum is not just an instrument—it is a storyteller. Materials: Traditionally crafted from neem or tamarind wood, with cow or goat skin stretched across the frame. Technique: Played while standing, using two distinct sticks— sundu kucchi (slender stick) and adi kucchi (flat stick). The beats are stron...

Hamburg University’s Historic Investment to Preserve Tamil Heritage – A Deep Dive into the Tamilex Project

Introduction The Tamil language ranks among the world’s oldest continuously spoken and written languages, with roots extending more than 2,000 years. Its vast literature spans poetry, grammar, epics, philosophical texts, and much more. In recent years, a remarkable initiative by Hamburg University (Germany) has captured the attention of Tamil scholars worldwide: a large-scale project to build a historical lexicon and digital corpus of Classical Tamil literature , reportedly involving funding equivalent to nearly 100 crore Indian rupees in institutional support. ( LinkedIn ) In this post, we examine the scope, goals, and cultural importance of this project — often featured in Tamil media as a “100 crore project for Tamil” — and explain why it matters internationally. What Is the Tamilex Project? The Tamilex initiative is a long-term academic research program at the University of Hamburg (Germany), aimed at producing the first-ever comprehensive historical dictionary and electroni...