Ooty: K. Mohammad Farooq, President, Ooty Varkey Manufacturers Association (OVMA), after submitting an application to the GI registry seeking GI tag for Ooty-varkey, said that the association has also been called for meeting by the GI-Registry next Friday.
“A decision to add GI-tag may be taken after that meeting”, he said.
Ooty varkey is a famous chat-dish among hill residents, especially the Badagas. Varkey with tea or coffee makes it a perfect evening snack.
Over the years Ooty varkey has also become popular with the tourists visiting the hills. It is a delicacy and a must-buy at Ooty.
“Its unique taste is something that tells the magic of hill weather and water that supports good baking of varkey and makes it a lovely chat item,” said Farooq.
During the British era, baking of cookies was very famous. But Indian bakers brought about a slight change in the process that led to the invention of Ooty-varkey, which is crispy and has a unique taste.
“We use home-made yeast, along with the flour and Dalda that gives the unique taste and crispiness to Ooty varkey,” he said.
On an average around 5-10 tonnes of varkey is baked and sold in a day. The quantity goes up during the tourist season. “Ooty varkey is a product of the hills that speaks about the age old baking process in the hills since the British era,” he said.
