You can buy millets in Chennai at supermarkets, at local organic and naattu marundhu shops, or online from a millet brand that delivers to your door. Whichever you pick, look for millets that are unpolished, recently milled and clean (no stones or husk), sold under their Tamil names so you know exactly which grain you are getting, such as the thinai, varagu, samai and kuthiraivali in our Grains & Millets range, delivered across Chennai and India.
That is the short answer. Below is the checklist I give friends who are moving their family from white rice to millets for the first time, the Tamil-English names that confuse most buyers, and a simple way to start.
Millet names in Tamil and English
Half the confusion in a Chennai shop is the name on the packet. Here is the list to keep on your phone:
- Thinai (தினை) = foxtail millet
- Varagu = kodo millet
- Samai = little millet
- Kuthiraivali = barnyard millet
- Kezhvaragu / ragi = finger millet
- Pani varagu = proso millet
- Kula samai = browntop millet
- Cholam = jowar (sorghum); kambu = pearl millet (bajra)
Not sure which one to start with? Read thinai vs varagu vs samai for how they differ in taste, texture and cooking.
How to choose good millets: a 5-point checklist
1. Unpolished, not "shiny"
Unpolished millets keep their bran layer, so they look slightly dull and uneven in colour. Very white, glossy grains have usually been polished more, which removes part of the fibre.
2. Clean, but not too perfect
Spread a handful on a plate. You should not find stones, husk or insects. A few broken grains are normal for small millets, which are dehulled by machine.
3. Fresh milling
Dehulled millets are best used within a few months. Buy from a shop that restocks often, check the packed date, and store the grain in an airtight tin once opened.
4. Know who milled it
Ask where the millet comes from and who dehulled and packed it. At Thinai Organics, the farmers we work with dehull, mill and pack the millets themselves, with no co-packer in between, and they arrive already packed under our label.
5. Price per kilo
Small millets cost more than rice because the yields are smaller and dehulling is slow. As a reference (November 2026), our thinai, samai and kuthiraivali are ₹99 for 500g, varagu is ₹117 for 500g and ragi is ₹65 for 500g.
Where to buy millets in Chennai
Supermarkets and quick-commerce apps
Convenient for one or two packets, usually foxtail and little millet. The range is narrow and the packets rarely say who milled the grain.
Local organic and naattu marundhu shops
Good if you want to see and touch the grain before buying. Ask how often they restock and whether the millet is unpolished.
Online, from a millet brand
The easiest way to get the full range (thinai, varagu, samai, kuthiraivali, kula samai, pani varagu and ragi) in one order. Thinai Organics started in 2018 in Chennai and has delivered more than 10,000 orders. We deliver across Chennai and the rest of India, and you can add millet sevai, noodles and pasta, wood pressed oils and native rice to the same order.
How to start: one meal a day
You do not have to change everything at once. Swap the rice at one meal a day: thinai or samai for lunch-time rice, varagu for pongal, kuthiraivali for upma. If you are not sure which grain suits your family, the millet combo (four millets, 250g each, ₹200) lets you try them side by side.
For quick ideas, see 5 easy millet recipes under 30 minutes and foxtail millet (thinai): nutrition and how to cook it.
If you have a health condition or are on medication, talk to your doctor or a dietitian about how millets fit your diet before making a big change.
Ready to try? Start with the millet you would cook most often and see the full range in our Grains & Millets collection.
Frequently asked questions
Which millet is easiest for beginners?
Thinai (foxtail) and samai (little millet) are the easiest. They cook like rice in about 15–20 minutes and have a mild taste.
Do millets need to be soaked?
Soaking is not required, but rinsing well and soaking for 30 minutes to a few hours gives a softer texture and shorter cooking time.
How should I store millets?
Keep them in an airtight container in a cool, dry place and use within a few months of opening. In humid Chennai weather, a dry tin works better than the plastic packet.
Can I buy millets online in Chennai with home delivery?
Yes. Thinai Organics delivers thinai, varagu, samai, kuthiraivali, kula samai, pani varagu and ragi to homes across Chennai and India from thinaiorganics.com.
What is the difference between polished and unpolished millets?
Unpolished millets keep more of the outer bran layer, so they are a little darker and higher in fibre. Polished millets look whiter and cook slightly faster.