The traditional sweets or confectioneries, which are called मिठाई (Mithai), are important part of Indian cuisine. For different occasions, we have different Mithai. If you would start counting all varieties, be sure to run into hundreds. Given the size and diversity in India, this can be expected. These sweets are usually purchased but in many traditional occasional are prepared at home with the traditional methods or using readymade mix packs which are available from the market. Outside India, these delicacies are available at Indian restaurant or Indian shops in packed tin-cans which can be warmed on stoves or in microwaves.

I thought about this topic for a while so why not give you a brief overview of these sweet delights?

Let me present you some popular and delicious traditional Indian sweets to your taste buds. 🙂

1. बर्फी (Barfi)
Barfi is very popular traditional sweets not just in India but in the entire Indian subcontinent. There are several variety of it but the plain Barfi is the one which is made of milk which is then cooked with sugar in a large pan until it becomes a solid mass. This solid mass can be cut into a rhombus or rectangular shape from thin to thick thickness (though you can make any shape you want).  Some of the famous varieties of Barfi are बेसन की बर्फी (Besan ki Barfi, which is made with gram flour), काजू की बर्फी (Kaaju ki Barfi, which is made with cashews), पिस्ते की बर्फी (Piste ki Barfi, which is made with ground pistachios), चोकलेट की बर्फी (Chocolate ki Barfi, which is made with chocolate).

2. रस गुल्ला (Ras Gulla)
Ras gulla is another popular sweet which resemble like a ball which is made from cottage cheese. To prepare the ras gulla, you have to soak the cottage cheese balls in the sugar syrup. It is is very popular in East Indian state of West Bengal, where it came to its present form.

3. लड्डू (Laddu)
Laddu (always plural) are very traditional sweets in India which are prepared/purchased and distributed to relatives and neighbors during a traditional Indian functions (weddings, new birth, starting new business or anything which is associated with happiness or new start). The most common variety of Laddu is मोतीचोर के लड्डू (Motichoor Ka Ladoo) which are made of deep fried gram flour flakes which are sweetened and mixed with grated dry fruits and then made into round balls. The right amount of sugar and oil is very necessary to ensure the right form and taste of Laddu. Some other varieties of Laddu are बेसन के लड्डू (Besan ke Laddu, which is made from gram flour).

4. जलेबी (Jalebi)
Jalebi which is also known as इमरती (Imarati) is very popular tradition sweets. It is made by deep frying batter (finely milled and refined wheat flour) in pretzel which is then soaked in sugar syrup. In some region, it is tradition to eat Jalebi with milk.

5. गुलाब जामुन (Gulaab Jaamun)
Gulaab Jaamun a hugely popular dessert in India and elsewhere. It is made from the dough balls which are made from flour, milk solids and grated dry fruits. The balls are then deep fried in margarine or unsalted butter to golden or dark brown. Then, it is soaked into sugar syrup flavored with cardamom seeds or saffron. In almost all traditional functions, they are always prepared and enjoyed (my mouth is already watering just by having the thought of it 🙂 ).

There is a tradition associated with Mithai, that is, when people visit their relatives, they usually goes with Mithai (Usually a box of Burfi, Gulab Jamun or Ras Gulla but never Jalebi. The box is usually taken in the weight of 250 gram to 1 or more kilograms as per the family size of relative).