Nolen Gurer Sandesh

Basirhat Sweets

In Basirhat “sweets” & the culture is interwoven. Traditional Basirhat sweets have a distinct taste thanks to the fragrant and sweet nolen gur- a special jaggery produced by date trees in Bengal only in the winter months.

To be precise, Sandesh & most of the sweet meats of Basirhat are made from only  “Chenna“  (A soft fresh Paneer/the Indian Cheese made with curdled milk), & Sugar in their basic form, butter or ghee is rarely being used in these; forget the flour, cornflour & the condensed milk used in the “modern” versions. Using flavorings, garnishes & other ingredients like fruits, pulps, etc. are an option.

The variety, flavors  & texture depends on the time of the year & occasion.  With all the sweetness flowing, it is only fair that every occasion is marked with multitude of sweets. During weddings & other family celebrations, “Moiras” (people who make the sweetmeats) are hired to come & make a plethora of sweets at home.

On every street corner is a shop, where you can see the heaps of  very attractive “sweets” neatly arranged on shelves, mostly in a pyramid. Sometimes in the shops you will be able to see the sweets in making.

Now, here’s the secret. Sweet’s are need sugar to make it tasted sweet, right? During winter the sugar is replaced with “Nolen Gur” (Runny sap of Date palm collected before dawn), transforming the usual white Sandesh to a pale beige & “Nolen Gurer Sandesh” (Sandesh made from Nolen Gur) is an unforgettable flavor – an ultimate ecstasy!