Samak Chawal: The fasting rice. That's tradition, not a superfood

Samak chawal is the go-to grain during Navratri, Ekadashi, and other fasts when grains and lentils are off-limits. You see it in khichdi, pulao, and kheer. Light, fluffy, and “safe” for fasting. But what exactly is this fasting rice, and does it deserve its hype?

Here’s the truth: Samak chawal isn’t rice. It’s barnyard millet, a small, round seed from a wild grass called Echinochloa frumentacea. It’s a pseudocereal not a true cereal grain like wheat or rice.

This tiny seed has been cultivated in India for centuries, thriving in dry, tough soils because it’s hardy, fast-growing, and reliable. Practical? Absolutely. Glamorous? Not so much.

NOT RICE, BUT A HARDY MILLET

Samak chawal is mostly carbohydrates, around 70–75%, providing energy in a simple, digestible form. But unlike white rice