Foxtail Millet in Hindi: कंगनी (Kangni), Kakun & Uses
Sources: NIN Hyderabad, ICMR, USDA FoodData Central
Foxtail millet in Hindi is कंगनी (kangni), also called काकुन (kakun). It is a small, golden-yellow grain, botanical name Setaria italica, and one of the five Siridhanya, or "positive", millets. In Telugu it is కొర్రలు (korralu), in Tamil தினை (thinai) and in Kannada ನವಣೆ (navane).
Looking for the other grains? See all millets in Hindi in one chart.
What is foxtail millet (kangni)?
Kangni gets its English name from its dense, bristly ear, which bends like a fox's tail when the grain is ripe. According to the Government of India's Directorate of Millets Development, the crop grows 60–75 cm tall, needs only low to moderate rainfall and is ready to harvest in 80–100 days.
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Foxtail millet names in Hindi and other languages
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Foxtail millet |
| Hindi | कंगनी (Kangni), काकुन (Kakun) |
| Telugu | కొర్రలు (Korralu) |
| Tamil | தினை (Thinai) |
| Kannada | ನವಣೆ (Navane) |
| Malayalam | തിന (Thina) |
| Marathi | राळा (Rala) |
| Gujarati | કાંગ (Kang) |
| Bengali | কাউন (Kaon) |
So if you are wondering what korralu is in English: it is foxtail millet, the same grain as kangni.
Kangni is not bajra
Bajra (बाजरा) is pearl millet, a much bigger grey grain. Kangni is foxtail millet: smaller, golden-yellow and quicker to cook. Kangni is also not हरी कंगनी (hari kangni), a name some sellers use for browntop millet.
Nutrition snapshot (per 100 g)
| Nutrient | Foxtail Millet |
|---|---|
| Calories | ~351 kcal |
| Protein | 12.3g |
| Fat | 4.3g |
| Fibre | 8g |
| Carbohydrates | 60.9g |
| Calcium | 31mg |
| Iron | 2.8mg |
Full nutrition and benefits: Foxtail millet benefits
How to cook kangni
- Wash 1 cup of kangni 2–3 times and soak it for at least 30 minutes (6–8 hours is best).
- Drain, add 2½ cups of water and cook covered on a low flame for 15–20 minutes, or 3–4 whistles in a pressure cooker.
- Rest it covered for 5 minutes and fluff with a fork.
Use it in place of rice, or make kangni khichdi, upma, pulao or kheer. Foxtail rava and flakes cook even faster for breakfast.
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Frequently asked questions
What is foxtail millet called in Hindi?
Foxtail millet is कंगनी (kangni) in Hindi. It is also called काकुन (kakun).
What is korralu in English?
Korralu (కొర్రలు) is the Telugu name for foxtail millet, which is kangni in Hindi.
Is kangni the same as bajra?
No. Bajra is pearl millet. Kangni is foxtail millet, a smaller, golden-yellow grain.
Is kangni the same as hari kangni?
No. Hari kangni is a name some sellers use for browntop millet, a different grain.
Sources & References
- Directorate of Millets Development, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, “Foxtail Millet (Kangni or Kakun)”: https://nutricereals.dac.gov.in/foxtailmillet.aspx
- Orggu, Millet names in Indian languages
