Barfi: A dairy masterpiece

I feel that having a sweet tooth is a blessing. An endless list of various deserts awaits you. Just think of the thousands of Indian sweets you are exposed to. One such sweet is Barfi, one of those dishes that has never been left off of an Indian Mithai menu. So let's go on discovering this delicious dessert, Barfi.

The sweet delight, Barfi; Image Source- My heartbeats

Barfi is a sweet treat for the taste buds that is common in North India but has successfully expanded its fan base throughout the world. This white piece of sweet has the power to colour your heart with its heavenly taste.

The word "barfi" originally comes from the Persian word “barf”, which means snow. It derives this name from the fact that it resembles white fluffy snow and is often served chilled.

The fudgy, chewy dish resembles much like an Indian cheesecake. It also has its distant cousin, American chocolate fudge. However, both of them differ from each other by their ingredients. Now that we are talking about components, let’s also throw light on their preparation. Milk powder, condensed milk and granulated sugar are the key ingredients in a barfi preparation. The ingredients are cooked until they have a firm consistency. The mixture is then spread out to cool on a plate and then cut into a variety of forms.

Barfi has a broad range of varieties, including besan barfi, Doda barfi, Pista barfi, Kaju Barfi, sing barfi, etc. Along with types, it has a family full of different colours, shapes, textures, and flavours. They are not only attractive and presentable, but also have a delectable taste. It is garnished with dry fruits such as almonds and cashews, and also flavoured with fruits, saffron, rose water, and gram flour in some regional styles. It is usually wrapped in edible silver leaves, which adds to its appearance.

Now you must wonder, how did this super delicious dish originate?

The exact origin of the Barfi is unknown. Some say that the peda was the earliest form of barfi, and because khoya and mawa were the purest offerings, the culture of creating a sweet dish out of these ingredients emerged from the temples. But then again, most of it is just conjecture. On the other hand, a Punjabi wrestler named Khushab has been credited with the creation of a barfi named Doda Barfi while he was looking for a healthy alternative to sweets.

In 1912 when a Punjabi wrestler named Harbans Vig from Khushab in the Sargodha district invented Doda Barfi. It was the product of his random kitchen experiments, where he wanted to create something nutritious and sweet. Gradually, this sweet became very famous and was liked by most people. After the partition of India, this family shifted to Kotkapura and then Ludhiana and carried their flavours to the places. The family's legacy lives on in the form of Doda sweets, which are sold at various locations around Punjab.

Barfi is an utter delight, and it is served on almost every occasion. Whether it is between the celebration of a big fat wedding or in between joyous festivals, barfi has a place reserved for every occasion.

Today, Barfi has earned its remarkable place in the world. A plate full of these sweets with silver linings is all that you need for an occasion. But for now, you can enjoy this article until you get a watery mouth and a serious craving for Barfi. 

The Barfi made of Cashewnuts called Kaju Katli, Image Source- Times of India