What is a 'millet' Kerala lunch like? Head to this Kannur cafe

Over the past year, Kerala has witnessed the launch of government-backed millet cafes across the state. From millet-based breakfasts and dinners to desserts, the cafes have been gradually incorporating these humble yet trendy grains into everything on the Kerala menu. The highly nutritious, gluten-free grains packed with fibre, protein and many minerals, are getting reintroduced to Keralites in multiple avatars. Recently, Kannur's millet cafe in Payyannur introduced something new—a millet-based Kerala lunch! Served along with payasam and soup, the 'oonu' (Kerala lunch) had many takers right on the first day, says Vinod KP, who runs the cafe.

What's for lunch?
The 'millet lunch' at the cafe consists of:
- 'Choru' (cooked rice) made of 'varaku' or 'kayama' full-bran rice varieties
- Soup, with pumpkin, cucumber, ladies' finger, tomato and ash gourd as ingredients
- Aviyal
- Thoran
- Chutney, made of coriander and coconut

- Sambar, in which tamarind, dal or fried coconut are not added
- Pulisseri without chilly powder
- Salad, with cucumber, carrot, tomato and sprouts as ingredients
- Buttermilk
- Millet payasam

How does 'millet oonu' taste?
According to Vinod, being devoid of certain ingredients does not mean the meal is tasteless. "What we have avoided are ingredients the curries can do without. This does not tamper with its taste. Moreover, they are all balanced, nutritious preparations," he says.

How it differs from a traditional 'oonu'
The millet 'oonu' does not make you feel stuffed, but does away with your hunger, Vinod says. The rice served here is also cultivated by the agriculture collective Jaivabhumi. We were entrusted with this cafe by the agriculture department when it was launched here," says Vinod, who is the secretary of Jaivabhumi. 

Other meal options
The millet cafe also has many interesting breakfast, dinner and snack options like vegetable biryanis, chapathis, dosas and idlis made of various millets, ragi kozhukatta, ottada and aaviyappam. 

Price, timing and cafe location
The cafe is located on the road behind Payyannur police station. A plate of 'millet oonu' costs Rs 100. Millet kanji costs Rs 60. The cafe is open from 8.30 am to 8 pm.