DECODING DELICIOUS DELICACIES: RASMALAI

When it comes to food, the name of a dish holds meaning beyond just identification. The name of a dish can give insight into the history behind it, the ingredients used, or even the cultural significance it holds. In this series of blogs, we will explore the history behind famous Indian dishes.

India being a land of diverse culture and preserved traditions includes also rich savory and sweet culinary treats. Among the plethora of desserts that adorn the Indian culinary landscape Rasmalai is a quintessential Indian dessert that is traditionally enjoyed during special occasions or festivals such as Diwali or Holi. It is notably a testament to the fact that India holds one of the most diverse food palates globally.

The word “Rasmalai” is derived from a combination of a Bengali word “Rosh” meaning sap and, the Hindi word “Malai” which means clotted cream. The geographical origin of this delicacy has been subjected to a myriad of contention for the longest time. One narrative suggests that “K.C. Das Grandsons” a famous confectioner chain in Kolkata invented this dish as part of a science experiment. However, another confectioner by the name of “Sen Brothers” of Comilla district of Bangladesh claims that Rasmalai was made by their family. While the historical origins of Rasmalai remain a mystery till today, the dish has currently been in limelight due to its recent accord of being the second (2nd) best cheese dessert by TasteAtlas which is a is a popular food guide blog that ranks local food, traditional restaurants, and authentic recipes across the world.

Recently in March 2024, TasteAtlas published a list of the ten (10) Best Cheese Desserts across the world, ranking the Indian Rasmalai as being the second (2nd) Best Cheese Dessert. The first (1st) rank was awarded to Poland’s Sernik, while Greece's Sfakianopita secured the third (3rd) position.

This rank makes one indulge into the sweet delicacy i.e., Rasmalai which is crafted from simple ingredients such as white cream, sugar, milk, and cardamom flavored cottage cheese. Mastering the art of preparing this delicacy at home is simple, below mentioned are two recipes for making Rasmalai.

Firstly, the Rasmalai balls are prepared by boiling milk and gradually adding a diluted lemon juice/vinegar mixture, to curdle the milk completely. Then, the curdled milk is strained through a cheesecloth-lined colander. The drained curd (Chena) is rolled into small balls. A sugar syrup is prepared by boiling water with sugar until the sugar is completely dissolved. The Rasmalai balls are gently submerged in the syrup for a few minutes and set aside. Then the sweet milk (Rabdi) is prepared by boiling milk with cardamom pods and simmering it until the milk thickens and reduces by half, having a creamy consistency. The Rasmalai balls having sugar syrup absorbed in them are gradually added to the creamy milk and are allowed to soak for a few hours. Then the Rasmalai is served chilled, garnished with chopped nuts (pistachios, almonds) and a sprinkle of saffron pods.

Another quick recipe for Rasmalai is to simply make it with milk powder. Combine pasteurized milk, sugar, and salt and bring to a boil on medium heat. As the milk simmers away, knead cottage cheese and powdered milk to make a dough. Mix the dough into the shape of balls. Flatten the balls and dip it into the milk. Cook the balls with the milk until well-done on both sides. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly. Garnish with chopped nuts and saffron before serving.

When one thinks of cheese based desserts, cakes such as blueberry and chocolate cheesecake come to mind. However, the TasteAtlas food guide sheds light on not just the mainstream cheese based desserts but the ones that redefine cheese as a dessert especially engulfing qualities that are rich, soft and have a texture that melts in the mouth. The Indian Rasmalai is the best example of such an offbeat cheese based dessert.

In conclusion, the recognition of Rasmalai as the Second (2nd) Best Cheese Cake in the world by TasteAtlas brings it more prominence by earning a well-deserved place among the finest desserts. Whether enjoyed as a decadent treat or as a symbol of cultural exchange, Rasmalai undoubtedly deserves its prestigious ranking and continues to enchant dessert enthusiasts across the world.