Malpua ~ An oldest dessert of India
Dear folks, I cannot believe that I took such a long break from blogging. I hope you all are doing great and are in the best of health and spirits. It has been a busy last few months..!!!. Although I spent a pleasant time, I missed you all. I want to confess that I did want to resume blogging earlier. Thank you all for encouraging me, through messages and emails, to get back to blogging. Do keep visiting and give your valuable feedback and comments. I will surely try to keep up with your expectations. I started my writing with Indian dessert MALPUA….!
Dessert from Vedas -
With more than 8000 years old history, Indian food recognizes for its diversity, flavors, and regional cuisine. Malpua is a dessert serves in India for a long time. Surprising to know that the first reference of Malpua comes from Rigveda, as “Apupa”. In Rigveda, food seems to have been an important theme, and Malpua as dessert has its importance.
One of the Chappan Bhog -
Malpua was associated with Odisa king Gajapati Prataparudra, who was the follower of saint Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and was the one reason Malpua became a part of the Shrimandira Chappan Bhog in the early 16th century.
Present to Goddess -
In Jagannath temple, Malpua is know as Amalu.
In the temple, Malpua is part of sandhya dhoop or evening rituals where at least three types of Malpua or Amalu as Naivedyam offered to the deities,” it is also part of rituals on Snana Purnima, Nabanna, pausa Purnima, and Makar Sankranti. During the Navratri festival, Amalu is present to lord Jagannath wife, goddess Bimala.
Mentioned in Buddhist and Jain literature -
A similar description of Apupa is found in Buddhist and Jain literature. With time — Apupa, has evolved into the modern-day Malpua. Although the preparation of Malpua evolves during the time, the Malpua continued to maintain its popularity throughout the ages.
The popularity of this sweet transcends religious boundaries, In Hindu festivals like Holi and Diwali Malpua is the most loved dessert and even the Muslims, in Ramadan, relish egg Malpua with quite an enthusiasm. Sometimes people divided by nationality and religion are bound together by their love for a portion of simple food, proving how even a simple thing can make a great difference.
For recipe visit the website- https://www.meethineem.com/Category/dessert/malpua.html