Across the buffet you will see little decorative blackboards telling you the importance of various millet grains that have been used as well as the breakfast dishes that are made of them. At the end of the post, you will also find some great information from the GoK on the nutritional benefits of various millets.

I started off with the classic breakfast dish in Southeast Asia - the Congee made of Sorghum Millet. The classic Congee is bland, this one being a vegetarian version, but it can definitely be souped up a bit with a touch of soy, as is traditionally done. However, from the texture to the wholesomeness of the dish, there is no arguing that the use of sorghum instead of the traditional rice base is a great way to go.

Next up I loaded my plate with some interesting, yet familiar dishes - the humble idli, I now had with me in the ragi version. Right beside that is the Masala Vada that has the traditional chana dal replaced with Proso millet and the Stuffed Barnyard Millet Paratha. I also piled on some lovely sambar for my  idli as well a garlic and tomato chutney. Each of these three dishes did not fail in the flavour department, underlining the fact that healthy food need not always be perceived as tasting bad. The ragi idli was moist and flavourful with the sambar. The paratha was soft and went perfectly with the mango pickle and the Masala vada got just the right kick from the chutneys. What stood out for me is the fact that despite the millet replacements, the basic taste of the dish remained the same just the way it traditionally does in our homes.



And if you like yourself some traditional South Indian fare for breakfast then you will also find a millet version of them here at the buffet. The Sorghum Bisi Bele Bath and the Proso Upma are what Chef Selvaraj has created. I personally loved the upma for its smooth, pasty (in a good way) and overall taste. The Bisi Bele Bath is also a good pick albeit it will take you a short while to get used to the bite of Sorghum millet. This is especially for those of who you love soft textured Bisi Bele Bath.


And of course how can we not end such a breakfast spread with a dosa. This crispy millet dosa was seriously a treat - we had the plain version simply because we were quite stuffed by this time, but have made a mental note to try out a masala version the next time round.

The good news is that this millet based addition to the breakfast is now going to be a regular feature at Taj Mozaic. Choose to sit by the pool or in the cool confines of the restaurant. The chefs and the floor managers are ever ready to tell you all about the goodness you are eating. The breakfast spread is priced at Rs 1100/- ++

Do take a look at what the GoK wants to share on millets

Let’s Millet 

“The poor man’s food is soon emerging as the rich man’s savior’ - Krishna Byre Gowda

But what are millets? They are ancient grains - (Barnyard Millet, Finger Millet, Foxtail Millet, Kodo Millet, Little Millet, Pearl Millet, Proso Millet, Sorghum) that have made a timely revival and Karnataka is best suited for their emergence and spread! Millets are climate smart crops that can substitute wheat and rice in most recipes, keeping you full for longer. They are also naturally organic, which means they need less or no fertiliser. They are safe, healthy, tastier, versatile and more nutritious! So, children, adults, gen next alike - let’s millet!

Good for the Planet
They grow faster, with minimal fertilisers and pesticides and have a low water footprint.
    Low Water Footprint (30%< Maize, 70% < Rice)
    Need only 350-400mm annual rainfall (less water than other grains)
    Low Subsistence Crop
    Grow with minimal fertilizers and pesticides
    Low Carbon Footprint
    Less Stress on Environment
    Naturally Organic
    Highest Ecological Footprint
    Climate Smart

Good for the Farmer
Millets are naturally climate smart. They are typically the last crop standing in times of drought. Some cultivars of pearl millets have been known to withstand up to 64 degree Celsius. Millets have the potential to become a good risk management strategy for the farmers. The multiple untapped uses (fodder, biofuels, food products, brewing and more) can also be of good value for farmers if developed. Millets also have a large scope for further yield development.

    Low Input Cost
    Low Risk Crop
    Last Standing Crop
    Rich in Fodder
    Drought Tolerant

Good for You
Millets come with multiple health benefits. They are not only highly nutritional but also provide solutions to some of the highest nutritional problems. These are gluten-free and non acid forming foods. Hence they are soothing and easy to digest. They are considered to be the least allergenic and most digestible of all grains. Compared to rice, especially polished rice, millets release lesser percentage of glucose over a longer period of time. This lowers the risk of diabetes .

Millets are particularly high in minerals like iron, magnesium, phosphorous and potassium. Finger millet (Ragi) has the richest calcium content, about 10 times that of rice or wheat.

    High in Iron
    High in antioxidants
    Gluten Free
    Low Glycemic index
    Prevents and manages diabetes
    Finger Millet has 3X more Calcium than milk
    Kodo Millet is high in dietary fibers (3 x > Wheat, 3 x > Maize, 10 x > Rice)
    Critical to Diet diversity
    Pearl Millet is rich in protein (2 x more than milk)
    Pearl Millet has highest Folic acid content, especially recommended for pregnant women

Go Organic For your Organs
While millets are the Next Gen Smart Food, Karnataka, India’s 1st smart state goes beyond millets, offering a wide variety of organic produce. The proactive government is supporting Organic cultivation in the state through fresh initiatives such as the Organic Farming Policy 2004, Savayava Bhagya Yojana 2013-14 etc. 566 Organic Farmer Groups, 14 Regional Federations of Organic Farmers Associations and R&D centres in various academic institutions have been set up to harness the potential of cultivating, processing and exporting produce that is naturally organic. The state takes an integrated approach to develop natural resources, sustain livelihood and the security of all farmers. Karnataka is where you ‘Go Organic, for your Organs’.

Organics and Millets National Trade Fair 2017
The Hon’ble Minister of Agriculture in Karnataka, Krishna Byre Gowda (also Member of Legislative Assembly from Byatarayanapura Constituency) is spearheading the revolution in next generation smart food, with millets and organics. To this end, the Organics and Millets National Trade Fair 2017, 28-30 April, Bengaluru, Karnataka, organized by the Department of Agriculture, Govt. of Karnataka, Karnataka State Agricultural Produce Processing and Export Corporation Limited (KAPPEC), State Agricultural Universities, Jaivik Krishik Society, International Competence Centre for Organic Agriculture (ICCOA) will be  the starting point to launch many ideas that are progressive, from a market and consumer standpoint. With exhibition, buyer-seller (B2B) meets, national conference, farmer’s workshops, consumer connect program and organic food court, the fair will create a golden opportunity for Farmers, Organic Retailers, Organic Associations, Dieticians, Students and Academia to showcase India’s potential in Organic Agriculture, Horticulture, Processing and Marketing Sectors. Organics and Millets National Trade Fair 2017 will provide a massive boost to the sustainable future for Karnataka’s farmers.

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