Importance of Geographical Indications
India is known for its culinary diversity. While savory treats often take the spotlight, the country also boasts a wide range of local sweets that are integral to celebrations, festivals, and religious gatherings. Every region offers something unique, defining its culture and art. Geographical Indications (GI) tags are signs that celebrate the specific geographical origin of a product, possessing qualities attributable to that place. Here are 8 Bengali sweets with GI tags that are a must-try.
Banglar Rosogolla
GI Tag: 2017
This is one of the most famous Bengali sweets, made with soft chhena balls cooked in light sugar syrup. Its delicate texture and refreshing sweetness make it ideal for hot summer days.
Joynagarer Moa
GI Tag: 2015
Made with Kanakchur Khoi (aromatic puffed rice) and Nolen Gur (date palm jaggery), this seasonal delight from South 24 Parganas is a must-try. According to Wikipedia, in the 1920s, friends Purna Chandra Ghosh and Nityagopal Sarkar started selling Moa in local weekly markets, known as Buchki's Moa, later called Joynagarer Moa.
Bardhaman Mihidana
GI Tag: 2017
This sweet dish is made from fried droplets of gram flour soaked in sugar syrup. According to a PIB report, a consignment of Mihidana was exported to the Kingdom of Bahrain to promote this Bengali sweet.
Bardhaman Sitabhog
GI Tag: 2017
Often paired with Mihidana, Sitabhog resembles fine rice strands made from rice flour, chhena, and sugar. In August 2021, India Post released a special cover on West Bengal's sweetmeats Mihidana and Sitabhog.
Nolen Gurer Sandesh
GI Tag: 2025
A popular winter delicacy made from fresh chhena and date palm jaggery. It is a must-have in Kolkata and other Bengal cities during winter, as date palm jaggery keeps the body warm.
Murshidabad Chhanabora
GI Tag: 2025
Made from fresh chhena, this sweet is shaped into large discs, deep-fried slowly until it develops a rich brown exterior, then soaked in sugar syrup. It is deeply associated with Murshidabad's Nawabi heritage and has been part of the region's culinary culture for generations. The GI tag helps preserve the craftsmanship of local sweet-makers using age-old techniques.
Bishnupur Motichoor Laddoo
GI Tag: 2025
Native to Bishnupur, a town famous for its terracotta temples, Baluchari sarees, and rich cultural heritage, this laddoo is made from gram flour and sweetened with sugar syrup.
Kamarpukur Sada Bonde
GI Tag: 2025
A lesser-known Bengali sweet from the birthplace of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa. It is pale white or cream in color, made from a batter of wheat flour or refined flour dropped through a perforated ladle into hot ghee or oil to form tiny pearls, then soaked in sugar syrup.
