Types of Millets in India: Names,
Uses and Products
ഇന്ത്യയിലെ മില്ലറ്റുകളുടെ തരങ്ങൾ, പേരുകൾ, ഉപയോഗങ്ങൾ
Discover the major and minor millets used across India. Learn their regional names, taste, texture, cooking methods, and everyday uses, and find unpolished All Days millet products for your kitchen.
Unpolished millet products from Calicut, Kerala · Delivery across India
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Millets are a group of small-seeded grasses that have been grown across India for thousands of years, long before rice and wheat became everyday staples. They're broadly split into major millets grown widely and long established in Indian diets and minor (or small) millets, once common in specific regions and now being rediscovered. Millets come to your kitchen as whole grain, flour, or ready-to-cook products like dosa and idli mixes each suited to different dishes. And because millets have been grown across so many regions and languages, the same grain often carries several different local names.
Major and minor millets
Uses: Rice-style meals, upma, pulao
Uses: Rice-style meals, upma, dosa
Uses: Puttu, dosa, porridge, roti
Uses: Upma, pulao, dosa, porridge
Uses: Rice dishes, upma, pulao
Uses: Rice dishes, upma, dosa, pulao
Roti, porridge, dosa
Uses: ice-style dishes, porridge, upma
Uses: Roti, dosa, upma, puttu
| English | Malayalam | Hindi | Tamil | Telugu | Kannada | Trade Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Little Millet | ചാമ or ചാമയരി | कुटकी (Kutki) | சாமை (Samai) | Samalu (సామలు) or Sama (సామ) | Saame (ಸಾಮೆ) or Saave (ಸಾವೆ) | Little Millet |
| Foxtail Millet | Thina (തിന) or Thinayari (തിനയരി) | angni (कंगनी) | Thinai (தினை) | Korralu (కొర్రలు) | Navane (ನವಣೆ) | Foxtail Millet |
| Finger Millet (Ragi) | റാഗി / മുത്താറി (Muthari) | रागी (Ragi) या मड़ुआ (Madua) | கேழ்வரகு (Kezhvaragu) or ராகி (Ragi) | Ragi (రాగి) | ರಾಗಿ (Ragi) | Ragi |
| Barnyard Millet | കുതിരവാലി or കവടപുല്ല് | सांवा or सामक | குதிரைவாலி | ఊదలు | ಊದಲು / ഊದಲ | Barnyard Millet |
| Kodo Millet | വരക് / കൂവരക് | कोदो or कोदरा | வரகு or வரகு அரிசி | అరికెలు or ఆరిక | ಹರಕ or ಅರ್ಕ | Kodo Millet |
| Pearl Millet (Bajra) | കമ്പ് / കമ്പം | बाजरा | கம்பு | సజ్జలు | ಸಜ್ಜೆ | Bajra |
| Sorghum (Jowar) | മണിച്ചോളം or ചോളം | ज्वार | சோளம் | జొన్నలు | ಜೋಳ | Jowar |
| Proso Millet | പനിവരക് | चीना | பனிவரகு | వరిగ or వరిగెలు | ಬರಗು | Proso Millet |
| Browntop Millet | ചാമ പൊതാവൽ | हरी कंगनी or छोटी कंगनी | குல சாமை or பலா புல் | అండు కొర్రలు | ಕೊರಲೆ | Browntop Millet |
Polishing removes the outer bran layer to make grains look more uniform and cook faster. Unpolished grains keep that layer intact, so colour and grain size can naturally vary between batches — this is expected, not a defect. Because the texture is less processed, soaking and rinsing instructions matter more, and we note this clearly on every pack.
We don’t make specific nutrient-retention claims here — please refer to your product label for verified nutrition information.
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All Days Food Ventures, YMCA Cross Road, Calicut, Kerala 673001
+91 99956 61791
alldayshealthyliving@gmail.com
Kerala-wide and India-wide delivery available
India grows several millets, broadly grouped into major millets (Ragi, Bajra, Jowar) and minor millets (Little, Foxtail, Barnyard, Kodo, Proso, Browntop), each suited to different dishes.
Major millets are grown widely and long established in Indian diets. Minor or small millets were traditionally regional and are now being rediscovered nationally.
Names vary by millet — for example Ragi is known as മുത്താറി, and several minor millets have local Malayalam names that are still being confirmed. See our regional names chart above.
Little Millet, Barnyard Millet and Proso Millet all cook to a soft, rice-like texture and are commonly used as rice substitutes.
Foxtail Millet, Little Millet and Sorghum are commonly used in millet dosa and idli batters, often blended with urad dal.
Many millets benefit from a short soak to soften the grain and reduce cooking time, though requirements vary by variety — see our cooking guide for specifics.
Polishing removes the outer bran layer for a more uniform look and faster cooking. Unpolished grains retain that layer, so colour and grain size can vary naturally between batches.
Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, and use within the best-before date on the pack.
Most millets are naturally gluten-free, though cross-contamination is possible during processing — please check the product label if you have a gluten sensitivity or allergy.
You can visit All Days Healthy Living at YMCA Cross Road, Calicut, Kerala 673001, or shop online through our website.
Yes, All Days delivers across India, with same-region delivery options available within Kerala.
General information only — please check product labels and consult a qualified health professional for dietary advice.
