Indian desserts enjoy significant popularity among people living in all parts of the globe. This is probably because the majority of the countries have a hefty population of Indians who keep on introducing different varieties of Indian sweets in the foreign cities and towns they live in. In this article we will be discussing about one of the most loved Indian desserts; it’s called kaju katli or kaju barfi. In addition, we will also be informing you about the festivals during which this dessert is particularly served.
Kaju katli can be described as candy made using cashew nuts. While cashew nuts are the primary ingredients of this sweet dish, there are a range of other essential ingredients confectioners used for making this Indian dessert, without which the item will not get the mouthwatering taste it usually has. The other essential ingredients required for making the sweet are sugar, clarified butter or ghee, condensed milk, cardamom, and flavoring agents of the confectioner’s choice.
At times, confectioners don’t use any other flavoring agent besides cardamom. Kaju katlis without any additional flavor are the basic ones and probably the most popular ones made in India.
These days, kaju katlis are made in all parts of India. However, its origin is in the western territories of the country. Even today, if you want to taste the most authentic version of this dessert, you will have to visit places like Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Surat, etc.
We have already mentioned that although the basic form of this sweet is the most popular one, confectioners often use different flavors for adding a bit of improvisation to this Indian dessert. Saffron is one of the most common flavoring agents for all sweets made in the western part of the country; so, often you will see shops selling saffron flavored kaju katlis. Another flavoring agent used widely for this purpose is rose water. The aroma of rose water is pretty mild and is capable of enhancing the taste of any sweet dish.
Some confectioners nowadays also use flavors like chocolate, vanilla, butterscotch etc. when making kaju katlis; however, in spite of being extremely tasty, katlis carrying those flavors cannot beat the popularity of the of the basic kaju katli.
At times, confectioners use seasonal fruits for adding innovation to these desserts. For instance, sweet shops often sell mango flavored versions of these sweets during the summer months. At some places, you will also come across pineapple and strawberry flavored barfis of this variety.
Let us now come to the festivals during which kaju katlis are primarily served. This mouthwatering Indian dessert is primarily served during the festival of light of Diwali, the festival of colors or Holi and Navaratri.
