Rayans (Rice Bean)

Rayans, or the Rice Bean, is a lesser-known gem of the Himalayas. These tiny, reddish-maroon beans are revered in Garhwal not just for food, but for rituals. They are considered pure and are often used in Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra and other sacred festivals. Rayans is incredibly hardy, growing in rough terrains where other crops perish. It has a unique texture—soft yet retaining a bite—and a flavor profile that sits somewhere between Lobia and Rajma. It is a traditional 'famine food' that has saved mountain communities during harsh droughts.