Sarpuria and sarbhaja of Bengal set to get GI tag for Bengali sweets

Sarpuria and sarbhaja are two favorite sweets of Bengal that are trying to get Geographical Indication (GI) status. These are created by the sweet-makers of Nadia district.
Sarpuria is made by mixing cottage cheese (chhana) with sugar, kheer, groundnut, cardamom, pistachio and saffron and steaming it. Sarbhaja is fried cottage cheese with layer of kheer with cream (sar) and dipped in sugar syrup. Both are out-of-this-world delicacies.
This has been reported in telegraphindia.com dated 29 September 2016.

An organization representing the sweet-makers has contacted the Bengal government to lobby with the Center on this count. The authorities have indicated that they are examining the matter before sending it to the Intellectual Property Appellate Board in Chennai. This is the center designated government authority that issues the GI tag.
GI is a name or sign that is used on certain products which corresponds to a specific geographical location or origin (for example a town, region or country). The GI indication is a sort of certification that the product possesses certain qualities, is made according to traditional methods and enjoys a certain reputation because of its geographical origin.
So far, ten items from Bengal have received the GI status. These are Darjeeling tea, Nakshi kantha, Santipur sari, Baluchari sari, Dhaniakhali sari, Joynagarer moa, Santiniketan leather goods and three varieties of mangoes - Laxman Bhog, Himsagar and Fazli.


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org


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West Bengal assembly elections - sweet shops worried because no one is confident of winning

It is now time for the results of the 2016 Assembly elections to be declared and, given the existing chaos in the political arena, no one is confident of winning. All the leaders are putting up a brave front but lack the confidence of the past. And - the sweet shop owners are a worried lot because there are no bulk orders for sweets to celebrate the win.
This has bee been reported in telegraphindia.com dated 18 May 2016.

As revealed in Exit Polls that have been generated by different agencies the Assembly Elections 2016 is a close call - there is a wide variation in the projections and those who have contested will have to wait for the declaration of results before going in for celebrations.
There was a time when there would be bulk order for over 4,000 rasogollas to be delivered in mud-pots. But, this time around the future is hazy and uncertain. Who knows whether the sweet shop owners have some secret up their sleeves so as to be ready with the choicest of sweets. Probably a sweet with a green band on its periferi with red center. It could serve the needs of both the groups.


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

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Bring back the nostalgia of Poila Baisakh, Bengali New Year

#poilabaisakh #BengaliNewYear #Bengalisweets #Bengalicuisine Poila Baisakh brings back nostalgic memories of an era that has gradually disappeared. Bengali businesses begin with Polia Baisakh or the first day of the month of Baisakh, as per Bengali calendar. And – the traders, in order to retain their old clientele as well as to attract new patrons, used to observe the day with pomp and fanfare. It was the day of Haal Khata – this was the ledger book containing daily receipts and expenses and, on Polia Baisakh, the traders would obtain a new ledger, take it along puja offerings to the nearby temple and obtain the blessings of Lord Ganesh, the God of Wealth and Prosperity.

On the occasion, the regular patrons would drop by, donate a token amount money and the traders would offer the patrons cold drinks, packet of sweets and a wall calendar. If I remember correctly, I would accompany my parents and visit selected shops – the cold drinks we would finish on the spot, and bring back the packet of sweets and the calendars.
That has all vanished.
Today, ledgers are maintained on computers and, the tradition of creating a bond between the trader and the customer has been replaced by loyalty points earned by the customer at shopping malls and credit cards.
Of course, family outings do take place – the venue would be hotels in the city that would offer special Bengali dishes to bring back nostalgia. The dishes that used to, once upon a time, be prepared at home by the elderly members of the family, have now been transferred to the chefs who strive to bring back the flavor and look of the original. Take a look at what is on offer in Kolkata this year for Poila Baisakh.

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