Mango pickle, mango jelly, mango chutney, and amsotto (mango bar or mango papad, depending on which part of India you live in) have all had their day. But this most beloved of Indian fruits is capable of so much more! The Bengal Store shows you
Kalimpong is not just about viewing the Kanchenjungha or the mighty snow-capped peaks adorning like a ring in winter. It is also about those round and fra-grant dollo khorsani chillies, of dried fish, fresh oyster mushrooms, of nakema (ground orchid), cubes of phumbi that are
As a child, I had witnessed many rituals at home or in the local temples that involved throwing of the humble feather-light sweet ‘batasha.’ They flew off like airy brittle puffs of spun sugar, white or brown and led to a mad scramble among devotees
“At the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, how many great things we have done. We will be judged by I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat,
The fast-vanishing cabin culture of erstwhile Kolkata brings back memories of bygone days. The old cabins of North Kolkata are what dreams are made of in a bustling city. Forget AC or “ambiance,” they serve great food, the kind of food whose history can be
Have you heard of Nabadwip-er Lal Doi? The creamy red curd that is heavenly. Also known as Kheer doi or Chakku doi, it is one Nadia’s best kept secret and famous confectionery of India that is exported to different countries of the world. Though curd
There is some ingrained chemistry between Bengalis and ‘Mishti’ (sweets) that “age cannot wither nor custom stale…” (with due apology to The Bard). ‘Mishti’ is an inseparable part of Bengali life – as dessert after meals, as a vital auspicious item during religious and social
In November 2019, the Chennai-based Geographical Indications Registry (GIR) announced that Bengal was to retain the Geographical Indications (GI) status accorded to ‘Banglar Rasogolla’. The tag, originally awarded in 2017, had been disputed by Odisha, which had claimed that the origins of ‘Rasogolla’ lay in
We are indeed living in very difficult times as prices of essential items like edible oil and pulses have shot up across India and there is no relief in sight. Petrol prices are hovering in most states over Rs 100 a litre and still raring
Barisal is a major city of Bangladesh on the banks of Kirtankhola river. It is one of the oldest municipalities and river ports of the country, established in 1876 under the British. The ancient city of Barisal was known as Bacola in Europe. Ralph Fitch,