Rasgulla

From WikiMD's Food, Medicine & Wellness Encyclopedia

Rasgullas from Odisha and Bengal
Divided Chhena - Rasgulla Preparation - Digha - East Midnapore - 2015-05-02 9556
Boiling Rasgulla - Digha - East Midnapore - 2015-05-02 9561
Gopal Maishal - Rasgulla Preparation - Digha - East Midnapore - 2015-05-02 9579
Rasgulla - Kolkata 2011-08-02 4547
Red color rasagola from Pahala, Khurda district, Odisha, India

Rasgulla is a popular South Asian syrupy dessert originating from the Indian subcontinent. It is made from ball-shaped dumplings of chhena (an Indian cottage cheese) and semolina dough, cooked in light syrup made of sugar. This dish is especially popular in the Indian states of West Bengal and Odisha.

History[edit | edit source]

The origin of Rasgulla is a subject of debate between the states of West Bengal and Odisha. According to some historical records, the dessert has been a part of Odisha's culinary tradition for centuries, particularly associated with the Jagannath Temple in Puri. On the other hand, West Bengal claims that the modern version of Rasgulla was invented by Nobin Chandra Das in the 19th century.

Preparation[edit | edit source]

Rasgulla is prepared by boiling small balls of chhena and semolina dough in sugar syrup until they become spongy. The key to making perfect Rasgullas lies in the consistency of the chhena and the temperature of the syrup. The syrup is usually flavored with cardamom or rose water.

Ingredients[edit | edit source]

Cultural Significance[edit | edit source]

Rasgulla holds a special place in the culinary traditions of both West Bengal and Odisha. It is often served during festivals, celebrations, and as a part of traditional Indian weddings. The dessert is also offered as prasad in many temples.

Geographical Indications[edit | edit source]

In recent years, both West Bengal and Odisha have sought Geographical Indication (GI) tags for Rasgulla. In 2017, West Bengal received the GI tag for "Banglar Rasogolla," and in 2019, Odisha received the GI tag for "Odisha Rasagola."

Related Pages[edit | edit source]

See Also[edit | edit source]


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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD