46 GI-Tagged Products of Karnataka: Craft, Culture, and Identity

As someone born and raised in Karnataka, now working as a craft entrepreneur in Bengaluru, I often find myself in awe of the quiet brilliance that surrounds this land. Our spices, fruits, fabrics, flowers, and fragrances are unparalleled in quality. They carry the soul of the soil. Many of these have earned the Geographical Indication (GI) tag, not as a marketing badge, but as a recognition of their deeply rooted identity.

Here's a complete list of Karnataka's GI-tagged products across various categories. Whether you're a craft lover, a farmer, a foodie, or someone interested in local sustainability, this guide is for you.

What Is a GI Tag and Why Does It Matter?

A GI tag ties a product to its birthplace, much like Mysore silk, which belongs unmistakably to Mysore, safeguarding tradition, authenticity, and the people behind it. It protects traditional knowledge, ensures authenticity, and helps artisans, farmers, and local producers sustain their practices. For Karnataka, it's a matter of pride. Each GI tag represents not just a product, but a way of life.

GI-Tagged Crafts of Karnataka

Craft is not just a skill here. It's storytelling through hands and heritage. These crafts reflect lineage, village-specific knowledge systems, and techniques that have been passed down over generations.
  1. Bidriware – Bidar
  2. Kasuti Embroidery – Dharwad
  3. Rosewood Inlay Work – Mysore
  4. Mysore Traditional Paintings – Mysore
  5. Ganjifa Art – Mysore
  6. Channapatna Toys – Channapatna
  7. Lambani Embroidery – Sanduru
  8. Kinnal Toys – Kinnala
  9. Bronzeware – Karnataka
  10. Kolhapuri Chappal – Karnataka (shared with Maharashtra)

GI-Tagged Agricultural Products

These are not just ingredients—they're place-based legacies. They grow where they belong, and they taste like nowhere else.
  1. Vijayapura Lemon
  2. Byadgi Chilly – Byadgi
  3. Sirsi Arecanut
  4. Kari Ishaad Mango – Ankola
  5. Mattu Gulla (Brinjal) – Udupi
  6. Appemidi (Baby Raw Mango) – Malnad region
  7. Coorg Orange
  8. Coorg Green Cardamom
  9. Malabar Black Peppercorn – Western Ghats
  10. Mysore Betel Leaf
  11. Nanjangud Banana
  12. Bengaluru Rose Onion
  13. Devanahalli Chakota (Pomelo)
  14. Bengaluru Blue Grapes
  15. Gulbarga Toor Dal
  16. Kempapura Red Banana

GI-Tagged Coffee from Karnataka

Karnataka is also known as the "Coffee Land of India." These are grown in the monsoon-drenched hills, best under canopy forests, and sometimes inter-cropped with pepper/cardamom.
  1. Chikmagalur Arabica Coffee
  2. Coorg Arabica Coffee
  3. Bababudangiris Arabica Coffee – Chikmagalur
  4. Monsoon Malabar Arabica Coffee – Malabar region
  5. Monsoon Malabar Robusta Coffee – Malabar region

GI-Tagged Foods

A sweet that's more than a sweet—it's memory, nostalgia, and tradition rolled into every bite.
  1. Dharwad Peda – Dharwad

GI-Tagged Flowers

Jasmine is not just a flower here. It's devotion, it's a wedding, it's an everyday ritual. These varieties carry the distinct air of their native regions.
  1. Udupi Mallige – Udupi
  2. Mysore Mallige – Mysore
  3. Hadagali Mallige – Huvina Hadagali

GI-Tagged Textiles of Karnataka

Textiles in Karnataka are woven with intention—whether it's the drape of an Ilkal saree, or the grid-like stability of a Navalgund dhurrie. These are more than clothes. They are records of people's hands and minds at work.
  1. Ilkal Saree – Ilkal
  2. Khana Fabric – Guledgudda
  3. Patteda Anchu Saree – Gajendragada
  4. Navalgund Dhurries – Navalgund
  5. Udupi Saree – Udupi
  6. Mysore Silk Saree – Mysore
  7. Molkalmuru Sarees – Chitradurga

GI-Tagged Consumer Durables

Mysore's legacy doesn't stop at silk or painting—it extends to its scents and oils as well.
  1. Mysore Sandal Soap
  2. Mysore Sandalwood Oil
  3. Mysore Agarbatti

Miscellaneous GI Tag

  1. Navalgund Dhurrie Logo – a symbol in itself, reinforcing regional textile identity.

Why These GI Tags Matter (Especially Now)

In a world fast hurtling toward mass production and copy-paste aesthetics, GI tags remind us of the value of the original. The threat of counterfeit products, like imitation Mysore silk flooding the market, compromises authenticity and undermines local economies. These knock-offs not only dilute the significance of genuine GI-tagged items but also risk the livelihoods of craftspeople, growers, and the land. Protecting these items is crucial, as GI tags preserve identity and heritage. For entrepreneurs like me, who work closely with khadi and other hand-based traditions, these GI tags serve as anchors, steadying us in a constantly shifting market.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How many GI tags are there in Karnataka?
A: As of now, there are 46 GI-tagged products in Karnataka across categories like crafts, agriculture, textiles, coffee, flowers, and consumer durables.

Q: What are some famous GI products from Karnataka?
A: Ilkal sarees, Mysore silk, Byadgi chilli, Coorg coffee, Dharwad peda, and Mysore sandal soap are among the most well-known.

Q: Why is the GI tag important?
A: GI tags protect the uniqueness of a product, ensure authenticity, promote rural economies, and help preserve traditional practices.

Q: Where can I buy GI-tagged products from Karnataka?
A: Look for artisan cooperatives, craft collectives, and ethical brands that mention the origin and support local makers. Many cities also host regional exhibitions and fairs showcasing these goods.

Closing Note

Karnataka's GI tags are more than a list. They are a mirror of everything slow, rooted, and real. If we learn to value what grows and is made around us, we won't only support our artisans and farmers, but we'll also stay connected to where we come from.
If you found this list useful, consider leaving a positive comment below or sharing it with someone who might be looking to explore the beauty of Karnataka, not through tourist spots, but through the hands that make it what it is.

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