Banaras Lal Bharwamirch

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Banaras Lal Bharwamirch (Red Pickle Chilli) is a chilli variety grown in Uttar Pradesh, mainly around Varanasi. It is cultivated in Varanasi, Azamgarh, Jaunpur, Ghazipur and Ballia districts, and gets its name from Banaras (Varanasi). Lal means red, Bharwa means stuffed, and mirch means chilli, so the name describes a red, stuffed chilli. It is also known as Lal Sona (Red Gold).

In the field, the chilli has a thick skin, but when stuffed with spices for pickles, the skin becomes thin and delicate. It is mildly spicy and is mainly used for Banarasi Lal Mirch Bharwa Achar, a traditional stuffed pickle. The unripe chilli is not bitter, but it develops a bit of bitterness as it ripens.

The Banaras Lal Bharwamirch received Geographical Indication (GI) status on 30 March 2024, valid until 2 February 2032. The registration was filed by Pragatisheel Arajiline Farmer Producer Company Limited, represented by Shyam Bihari Lal Verma of Varanasi, on 3 February 2022. With the 2024 GI tag, it became the first chilli variety from Uttar Pradesh and the 61st product from UP to earn GI status.