It’s always befitting to end a meal with a delectable and scrumptious dessert. We, as food connoisseurs, also crave for something sweet after a heavy meal. What’s better if the sweet dish served is phirni!
The classic sweet milky dessert when served chilled takes any gourmet on cloud nine. Be a family get-together or festive occasion or wedding ceremony, phirni has been a popular dessert since time immemorial. It is relished by people of different cultures and cuisines which makes it timeless. Even top Colorado Springs fine dining restaurant serve it to delight food lovers.
It’s the taste and ingredients that make it so special. In the dish, condensed milk is flavored with rose water, kawra essence, dry fruits, saffron, pistachios, and cardamom with almonds, cashews, and raisins garnished on top. The soft texture of the delicacy simply melts into the mouth and brings on a smile on every food lover’s face. Despite being a popular dessert, many of us are unaware of its origin or don’t know where it was made for the first time. Let’s find it out!
Phirni and its real origin
Despite the dearth of evidence, it is believed that phirni hailed from ancient Persia or Middle East and it’s the Mughals who both invented and introduced it to India. The Mughal Empire relished the regal milk-based dish and made it popular. It is also backed by studies which say that the rich, milky, nutty and aromatic rice pudding in earthen bowls is a Mughal legacy.
It was found that in Persia where Phirini is believed to have originated used the creamy rice pudding as the food of angels and was known as Sheer Birinj. It was first offered to Prophet Muhammad when he soared to 7th floor of heaven to meet God.
Phirini and its versions
In India, phirni has many versions with kheer and payasam being the popular ones. In Iran, the rich indulgence is known as Fereni while in Egypt and Turkey the sinful delicacy is called Muhallabia.
In Europe, the rice pudding was first introduced by the Romans as early as 17th century who mainly used it to cure stomach ailments and digestion issues. They were considered as rice pottages where rice was boiled and mixed with cow’s milk and then sugar to lend it a sweet taste.
In China the delicacy was called “The Chinese eight jewel rice pudding” as it was made with eight different kinds of exotic fruits and honey. Some of the eight fruits used in the glutinous sugary delight are walnuts, almonds, winter melon, lychees, maraschino cherries, and jujubes.
Are you looking to relish Phirni? Step into Urban Tandoor. The premium Colorado Springs fine dining restaurant will offer you the best phirni made of freshest of ingredients and crafted to perfection by the expert chefs. You can also get a customized version of the sweet dish at the restaurant and get it prepared as per your taste.
FAQs
Phirni and its real origin
Where did phirni originate from? ›
Phirni is believed to have originated in ancient Persia or the Middle East. Persians know phirni by the name Sheer Birinj or food of the angels. The rulers of the Mughal empire are credited with popularising this dish in India. Across India, several versions of the kheer and phirni are made.
What is the meaning of phirni in English? ›
firnii. sweet dish of rice, milk and sugar, rice pudding.
What is the origin of Indian desserts? ›
The origin of sweets in the Indian subcontinent has been traced to at least 500 BCE when, records suggest, both raw sugar (gur, vellam, jaggery) and refined sugar (sarkara) were being produced. By 300 BCE, kingdom officials in India were acknowledging five kinds of sugar in official documents.
What was the first dessert in history? ›
Apart from bearing the lofty distinction as the world's oldest dessert, ashure retains important spiritual significance today across Anatolia, the lands comprising the majority of modern-day Turkey.
What is firni made of? ›
Phirni is a thick and creamy pudding made from ground rice. To make the simplest and yet the best phirni recipe all you need is rice, milk, sugar, nuts and flavorings of your choice like saffron or cardamom powder or rose water. Slow cooking is the key to make a perfect phirni.
What is the history of kheer? ›
The first mention of kheer, which historians say was derived from the Sanksrit word kshirika (meaning a dish prepared with milk), is found in the fourteenth century Padmavat of Gugarat. Its origins are tied to temples and religious legends, demonstrating just how tied religion, history, and food are for India.
What is the most famous dessert in India? ›
1. Gulab Jamun. Jalebi is a popular sweet treat made by deep-frying a fermented batter of all-purpose flour and yogurt, then soaked in sugar syrup. It has a crispy, pretzel-like shape and is often enjoyed with rabri (thickened sweet milk) or served on its own.
What is the oldest known dessert of India? ›
But the malpua deserves a lot of respect after all it is India's oldest known dessert! Malpua, which are small deep fried pancakes that are soaked in a sugary syrup, come in various forms across India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan. The first reference to these sweetmeats is in the Rigveda where it is called apupa.
What is the origin or dessert? ›
The word dessert is derived from the French word desservir, which translates to “to clear the table.” This origin is apt, considering that the first use of desserts was to wash down the aftertaste of a large meal with something sweet.
During the week, if there was a dessert, it would be a piece of corn bread with some molasses poured on top or some fruit. In addition, slave cabins rarely had the cooking equipment or appliances necessary to adequately bake a pie.
What is the world's oldest dessert? ›
Ashure (Noah's Pudding) is thought to be the oldest dessert in the world, first made by Noah after his fabled landfall at Mt Ararat. It is a delightful mix of dried fruit, nuts, grains and beans (yes, beans!) made in Turkey and all over the Middle East.
Where did rice pudding originally come from? ›
Where did Kunafa originate? ›
Kanafeh Nabulsieh originated in the Palestinian city of Nablus, hence the name Nabulsieh. Nablus is still renowned for its kanafeh, which consists of mild white cheese and shredded wheat surface, which is covered by sugar syrup. In the Middle East, this variant of kanafeh is the most common.
Where did halva originate from? ›
Halva's origin is somewhat murky; “Some scholars have suggested it originated near Byzantium, now Istanbul, some time before the 12th century, while others believe it dates back all the way to 3000 B.C.E.” The first documented recipe of halva is found in the13th-century cookbook, Kitab al-Tabikh, from Baghdad.
Which state made firni sweet food? ›
Phirni is a dessert from Kashmir made with ground rice or rice flour cooked in milk. It is eaten chilled and traditionally served in clay bowls called shikoras.
