Jowar in English: What Is Sorghum? Names, Nutrition & Uses
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Quick answer:
Jowar in English is sorghum (Sorghum bicolor). It is a naturally gluten-free cereal grain, and jowar atta in English is sorghum flour. Per 100g, jowar gives roughly 329–334 kcal, 10–11g protein, about 72g carbohydrate and 6.7–10g fibre.
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500 g · jowar, ragi, bajra and rajgira blendAdd to cart
Stone-ground only after you order · QR video of your batch on every pack
What is jowar called in English and other Indian languages?
Jowar is the Hindi name for sorghum, one of the oldest cultivated grains in India. The same grain goes by different names across the country:
| Language | Name for jowar |
| English | Sorghum (great millet) |
| Hindi | Jowar, jwar, juar (ज्वार) |
| Marathi | Jwari (ज्वारी) |
| Gujarati | Juvar (જુવાર) |
| Kannada | Jola (ಜೋಳ) |
| Telugu | Jonna (జొన్న) |
| Tamil | Cholam (சோளம்) |
| Malayalam | Cholam (ചോളം) |
| Bengali | Joar (জোয়ার) |
So jowar flour in English is sorghum flour, and jowar roti or jowar bhakri is a sorghum flatbread.
Is jowar the same as jau or bajra?
No. These three names are often mixed up:
- Jowar = sorghum. Gluten-free.
- Jau = barley. Contains gluten. See is jau and jowar the same?
- Bajra = pearl millet. Gluten-free. See jowar vs bajra.
Jowar (sorghum) nutrition per 100g
| Nutrient | Approximate amount per 100g |
| Energy | 329–334 kcal |
| Protein | 10–11 g |
| Carbohydrate | ~72 g |
| Dietary fibre | 6.7–10 g |
| Fat | ~3.5 g |
| Key minerals | Magnesium, iron, copper, phosphorus |
Values vary with the variety and how the grain is milled. Sources: ICMR-NIN Indian Food Composition Tables and USDA FoodData Central, as summarised in our flour nutrition database.
Is jowar gluten-free?
Yes. Sorghum is a naturally gluten-free grain, which is why jowar roti is a common wheat alternative. If you have celiac disease, choose a flour milled in a dedicated gluten-free facility. Our jowar atta is milled in a facility that also handles wheat, so it is suited to people cutting down on gluten rather than to strict celiac diets.
How is jowar used?
- Jowar roti or bhakri, the everyday flatbread of Maharashtra and Karnataka. Here is how to make jowar roti soft.
- Blended atta: mix 20–30% jowar into wheat atta for extra fibre in a familiar roti.
- Dosa, uttapam and chilla batters.
- Porridge (ambil) and upma.
- Gluten-free baking: cookies, muffins and flatbreads.
More ideas in jowar flour: common uses and health benefits.
Is jowar good for diabetics?
Jowar has a lower glycemic response than refined wheat, and its fibre slows digestion. How it is cooked matters: a thick bhakri eaten with dal and vegetables behaves differently from a thin roti on its own. Read jowar flour GI vs jowar roti GI for the detail, and check with your doctor if you manage diabetes.
Is jowar hot or cold for the body?
In Ayurveda jowar is considered warming (ushna) in potency but light and dry. Many families eat it through the year and balance it with curd, buttermilk or ghee in summer. See is jowar hot or cold?
Frequently asked questions
What is jowar in English?
Jowar in English is sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), sometimes called great millet.
What is jowar atta called in English?
Jowar atta is sorghum flour.
Is sorghum the same as millet?
Sorghum is grouped with the millets in India and is often called great millet, but it is a distinct grain from pearl millet (bajra) and finger millet (ragi).
How much protein is in jowar?
About 10–11g of protein per 100g of jowar flour.
Where can I buy fresh jowar flour?
Our jowar atta is stone-ground after you order, and each pack carries a QR code with the video of your batch. For a blend, try multi millet atta (jowar, ragi, bajra and rajgira).
