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The Rich History and Cultural Significance of Indian Sweets
Wednesday, February 21, 2024

The Rich History and Cultural Significance of Indian Sweets

Indian sweets are famous. But do we all know its history?

In this article, we will discuss how Indian sweets came into being.

With the introduction of sugarcane in the Indian subcontinent region, sugar became a part of Indian cuisine and the main source of all sweetness. Thus started the journey of Indian sweets. 

The next thing is the use of ghee and milk which drastically shaped the sweet evolution. People from different regions started making varieties of sweets using clarified butter, milk and sugar. Some of the early sweets were "kheer," a rice pudding cooked in milk and sweetened with jaggery (unrefined cane sugar) and the Persian dessert Gulab Jamun made of soft golden balls of milk and soaked in sugar syrup. 

Every dish was simple yet wildly satisfying.

Popular Indian Sweets And Its History

Mughal Influence

During the Mughal rule in India, different Persian-style sweets came into existence. The Mughals had Persian roots that brought a rich tradition of sweet delights. Exotic ingredients like saffron, rosewater, and dry fruits were widely used in Mughal royal sweet dishes. One of the most popular sweets of that era that everyone enjoys even today is the ‘shahi tukda’. This royal dessert is made of bread slices fried in ghee and is beautifully garnished with thick sweetened milk, dry fruits and saffron. 

Sweets Originating From Every Region

When it comes to the history of Indian sweets it is more than just one place or cooking style. With different regions Indian sweets have also evolved, introducing an exotic range of sweets that varies from one place to the other. Each state has its own type of sweet dishes. For instance, Rasgulla from West Bengal is immensely popular. This sweet type is made of cottage cheese balls soaked in sugar syrup.  

On the other hand, South Indian popular sweet dish "Mysorepak," is another rich and crumbly sweet made from ghee, gram flour, and sugar. Then in the state of Gujarat, ‘mohanthal’ the traditional sweet fudge is an epic dessert made of chickpea flour, ghee and sugar. 

So every region has something delicious to offer and you will be spoilt for choices.

Modern Health-Conscious Sweets

In recent years, people are becoming more and more concerned with their health. Thus adding sweet dishes to the regular diet has decreased. Indian sweet makers are now introducing varieties of healthy versions of traditional sweets. Instead of using ingredients like ghee and sugar, alternatives like olive oil and jaggery are being used. For adding sweet satisfaction people are now choosing low-calorie and low-fat sweet dishes. This is why desserts such as "Sattu ladoo," and "date and nut bites" are gaining popularity. 

The best part is anyone can order Indian sweets online these days from sweet shop sites and apps. 

Indian sweets are more than just dishes. They are a part of Indian culture and the diverse culinary art of the country. For centuries sweets have been a part of celebrations, witnessing friendships, bonding and emotions.
 

If you feel nostalgic about Indian sweets, how about you order sweetsonline from Mishri Sweets? We deliver sweetness packed with love for every occasion.