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Top 10 Must-Try Food In Holi Festival

User By Jenna Jolie

Holi festival, the festival of colors in India, is a celebration marking the beginning of spring, the blossoming season of love. This vibrant festival is celebrated nationwide with great enthusiasm and colorful traditions. Food and drinks are also an essential part of the Holi festival in India. While Indian cuisine differs across different regions, certain dishes are served during this festive occasion of playing with colorful gulal. Keep reading this article to find out the top 10 delicious food in Holi festival for you to enjoy.

Top 10 Special Food To Try In Holi Festival

Gujiya

Gujiya, a Holi special food, is a sweet pastry filled with khoya (a type of milk solid), and nuts. This delicacy is similar to a samosa or empanada and is usually fried until golden brown. Gujiya is a staple in many households during Holi and is often exchanged as a gift between friends and family members. Its crescent shape is said to represent the moon and is believed to symbolize the victory of good over evil.

Thandai

Another sweet treat that is enjoyed during Holi is thandai, a refreshing drink made with a mixture of milk, nuts, and spices. The drink is typically flavored with ingredients such as almonds, saffron, rose water, fennel seeds, cardamom, and peppercorns, giving it a unique and aromatic taste. Thandai, which means “cooling” in Hindi, is often served chilled and is believed to have cooling properties, making it a perfect drink for the warm spring weather during Holi.

Thandai is a Holi special food in India

Thandai is a Holi special food in India

Dhuska

Dhuska is a beloved street snack that is commonly found in roadside stalls across Jharkhand. The dish is made by mixing powdered chana, powdered rice, dal, and sometimes boiled potatoes, and is typically served with various chutneys. The batter used in preparing the dish is usually made from basmati or other types of indigenous rice. While Dhuska is often eaten as a snack or breakfast item, it is also commonly enjoyed as a main course when paired with spicy Bihari mutton curry. This dish has cultural significance, having originated from the Munda and Khadia communities, and is a special food for Holi festival. Despite its simple cooking recipe, Dhuska is filling and delicious, which has contributed to its status as a beloved household dish that is enjoyed throughout the year.

Mathri

Along with sweet delicacies, Holi celebrations also feature savory snacks like mathri, a flaky, fried biscuit made from flour, spices, and ghee (clarified butter). Although mathri is traditionally made with refined flour (maida) and semolina, it can also be prepared using wheat flour or semolina flour. To give it a unique taste and flavor, mathri is often seasoned with spices such as cumin, carom seeds, kalonji, sesame seeds, and fenugreek leaves. This Holi special food can be found in various shapes and sizes, from small and round to larger diamond-shaped pieces. Its crispy texture and rich taste make it a perfect snack to enjoy with a cup of a hot tea or as an accompaniment to other festive dishes.

Mathri is a special food for Holi festival in India

Mathri is a special food for Holi festival in India

Papri Chaat

Another savory snack that is enjoyed during Holi is papri chaat, a dish made with crispy fried dough, boiled potatoes, chickpeas, and a variety of tangy chutneys. The dish is usually garnished with cilantro and pomegranate seeds, giving it a burst of flavor and texture. Papri chaat is a popular street food in India and is enjoyed during Holi festivals.

Rasmalai

Rasmalai is a popular Indian dessert that is a creamy and decadent treat made from chenna, a type of fresh cheese. This sweet delicacy is the epitome of sweet goodness and is a staple at celebrations and festivals across India, Holi is no exception. The chenna is kneaded into small balls and then soaked in a rich, creamy syrup flavored with cardamom and saffron. Many people also like to add their twists to the dish by incorporating saffron strands or fruit essence to enhance its flavor and aroma. Rasmalai is a beloved dessert that is often served at the end of a meal during Holi celebrations. It's a delicious and satisfying way to satisfy your sweet tooth while experiencing the rich flavors and textures of Indian cuisine.

Rasmalai is a popular Indian dessert for Holi

Rasmalai is a popular Indian dessert for Holi

Bhang

Bang is a special drink for Holi festival which is made by blending pellets with thandai, a mixture of almonds, cardamom, fennel seeds, rose petals, peppercorns, poppy seeds, saffron, and milk. Depending on the amount of bhang used, the resulting drink can be mildly to moderately intoxicating. Bhang has a unique flavor that is a blend of spicy notes, reminiscent of fall-winter and cooling floral notes of rose jam, indicative of spring-summer. This drink is a popular way to celebrate the arrival of spring and is enjoyed by people of all ages, though it is important to consume it responsibly. It is believed that bhang was first used in ancient India for medicinal purposes, but it has since become a popular recreational drink during Holi. While bhang is legal in some parts of India, it is important to note that it is still illegal in many other parts of the country.

Malpua

Malpua is a popular Indian dessert that is made from flour, milk, and sugar, and is commonly enjoyed during festive occasions such as Holi and Diwali. The batter for the malpua is usually prepared with mashed ripe bananas or khoya (milk solids), which gives it a unique and rich flavor. The batter is then fried in ghee (clarified butter) until it becomes crispy and golden brown. Once cooked, the malpua is soaked in a sugar syrup, which adds to its sweetness and gives it a deliciously moist texture. This dessert is often served hot and garnished with chopped nuts or rose petals, making it a visually appealing and satisfying end to meals in Holi celebrations.

Barfi

Barfi is a classic Indian dessert that is known for its sweet and creamy texture. This fudge-like dessert is made from a base of condensed milk solids, granulated sugar, and ghee, which is then flavored with various ingredients such as nuts, fruits, saffron, or rose water. The most commonly used nuts in barfi include pistachios, cashews, and peanuts, which provide a delicious crunch and add to the dessert's rich flavor. Once the mixture is prepared, it is left to cool and then cut into various shapes, including diamonds, circles, or squares. Barfi is a popular dessert across India, especially in the northern regions, and is often served during special occasions and festivals.

Barfi is a popular food in Holi festival

Barfi is a popular food in Holi festival

Laddu

Laddu is not only a special food for Holi but is also served on many festive occasions. It is a small, round-shaped ball made from flour, sugar, ghee, and other ingredients such as nuts and cardamom. Laddu is also considered an auspicious dish and is believed to bring good luck and prosperity. It is widely available in sweet shops across India, and many people also make it at home using various recipes passed down through generations.

There is a wide variety of food options available during the Holi festival that will definitely stimulate your taste buds. So, if you are planning to visit India during Holi, make sure to try out some of these delicious treats and experience the joy and vibrancy of this colorful festival.


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