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Friday 12 July 2024

SWEET CHRONICLES : A JOURNEY THROUGH THE HISTORY OF INDIAN SWEETS



Sweets are sweets, no matter where or how it is prepared. Everyone loves to have it in some way or the other especially people with a sweet tooth. A sweet tooth is a taste for sweet, sugary food. A love for sugary foods. Most people who profess to have a sweet tooth are big fans of desserts.

Here is a book on Indian sweets tracing back their history, preparation techniques, variations in their style &taste, worldwide recognition, and distinct makers throughout India.  

The book of sweets is a full platter with 20 different traditional Indian sweets which were mostly the contributors' favourites.

The origin of sweets in the Indian subcontinent has been traced to at least 500 BCE when, records suggest, both raw sugar (gur, vellam, jaggery) and refined sugar (sarkara) were being produced. By 300 BCE, kingdom officials in India were acknowledging five kinds of sugar in official documents.

The document discusses Indian sweets, known as 'mithai'. It notes that sweets are an important part of Indian culture and celebrations. A wide variety of ingredients are used to make Indian sweets, which are heavier and more intense than Western desserts due to the use of ingredients like ghee and condensed milk.

 Ancient Sanskrit literature from India mentions feasts and offerings of mithas (sweet). Rigveda mentions a sweet cake made of barley called apÅ«pa, where barley flour was either fried in ghee or boiled in water, and then dipped in honey. Malpua preserves both the name and the essentials of this preparation.

Indian desserts have a long history, dating back to ancient times. In ancient India, sweet dishes were made using honey, jaggery, and fruits. Milk-based desserts became popular during the Mughal era, which brought Persian influence to Indian cuisine.

The arrival of the Mughals in the early 16th century played a significant role in the evolution of sweets and mithai in the Indian subcontinent. Recipes featuring (then) luxurious ingredients like saffron, nuts, dried fruits, and rose water were now at the fingertips of confectioners and chefs alike.

Here in this book sweet dishes made using date palm jaggery finds place more often. How the sweet dishes found the route to the Homes of a common man from the Royal kitchens can be understood with elaborate information attached to each sweet.

Sweets are an important part of religious ceremonies and rituals. They are offered to the gods as a symbol of devotion and reverence. In some cultures, sweets are also distributed among the devotees as prasad or a blessing from the gods. Sweets are believed to bring good luck, peace, happiness, and prosperity.

Apart from these, the book carries the influence of sweets on arts, crafts, paintings, music, literature, movies, and many other areas of human life.

Traditional Indian sweets have gained significant recognition due to their widespread consumption and deep-rooted cultural significance. They have always held a special place in the diets of both Indians and people worldwide.

Secondly, the variety of ingredients used in Indian sweets is diverse and unique. From milk and ghee to nuts and fruits, Indian sweets are made with a wide range of ingredients, giving them a rich and indulgent taste. This variety of ingredients also reflects the diverse and vibrant culture of our country.

India has had a long and rich tradition of sweets or 'mithais,' and they have an eternal significance in Indian culture. Sweets signify happiness, celebration, good omen, & prosperity. No festival, ceremony, or occasion can be complete without Indian sweets.

 If someone is not allowed to have sweets, that will be very sad no? Read this

Whether it's a wedding, a festival, or a special milestone, sweets are believed to bring good fortune and prosperity to the individual and their loved ones. The act of sharing and consuming sweets during these occasions is seen as a gesture of spreading happiness and blessings.

  In this book though trivia, world records, postal covers on sweets, and a steamer in a museum that was used to prepare modak were all enjoyable ones as far as they are about sweets. Isn’t it?

Then wait no more, buy a copy of the book, and get to know more about sweets.


(Received a Kindle copy of the book from the Samata Dey Bose in return of an honest review)


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