Indians have a sweet tooth and are popular for their love of desserts. From North to South and East to West, the country boasts of a rich tradition of desserts follow by hundreds of down generations. In this blog, we take a sweet journey through cultural and traditional Indian desserts.
North Indian Desserts:
The northern regions of India are known for their rich and creamy desserts. Some popular traditional desserts from the North include:
Rasgulla: Originating from the eastern state of Odisha, Rasgulla is a spongy, round ball made of chhena (cottage cheese) and soaked in syrup.
Gulab Jamun: This sweet is a staple at any Indian celebration. It is cooked with a mixture of milk powder, flour, and ghee, deep-fried and then soaked in a sugar syrup.
Kulfi: Kulfi is the Indian version of ice cream. Also, made with condensed milk, and cream, and flavoured with cardamom, saffron, or rose water, this frozen dessert is a popular street food in India.
South Indian Desserts:
The southern regions of India are popular for their traditional sweets made with rice flour and jaggery. However, some popular desserts from the South include:
Payasam: This dessert is made with rice, milk, jaggery, and cardamom. It is a staple at any South Indian festival or celebration.
Kesari: Kesari is a sweet dish you make with semolina, sugar, ghee, and water. However, it is flavoring with saffron and cardamom and is a popular dessert in South India.
Laddu: Laddu is a sweet ball made with flour, ghee, and sugar. Also, it is a popular sweet in India and you can make it in various flavours like besan (gram flour), motichoor (finely ground lentil flour), and boondi (fried chickpea flour).
Read More: Top 6 most popular & irresistible South Indian Desserts
East Indian Desserts:
The eastern regions of India are popular for their use of fresh ingredients and simple recipes for traditional desserts. Some popular desserts from the East include:
Ras Malai: This dessert is made of soft, fluffy cottage cheese dumplings soaked in sweet, thickened milk.
Sandesh: Sandesh is a traditional sweet made with chhena (cottage cheese) and sugar. Flavoring with cardamom and saffron and is a popular sweet in West Bengal.
West Indian Desserts:
The western regions of India are most popular for their love for sweet and savoury combinations in their desserts. Some popular desserts from the West include:
Basundi: This sweet, thick milk pudding is flavoring with cardamom, saffron, and nutmeg.
Puran Poli: Puran Poli is a sweet flatbread fill with a mixture of chana dal (split chickpeas), jaggery, and cardamom. Also, it is a popular dessert in Maharashtra.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, traditional Indian desserts are a sweet journey through the country’s rich culture and tradition. Hence, from the spongy Rasgulla to the sweet and savory Puran Poli, each dessert tells a unique story of the region it hails from. We hope this blog has given you a glimpse into the sweet world of Indian desserts.
If you’re looking for meal plans that incorporate these traditional desserts in a healthy way, check out EatFit.in.
