Iconic Jewish bakery of Nahoum’s still shines

A certain news had hit the headlines last week and raised quite a flutter! That of the iconic Jewish bakery of Nahoum’s in New Market being slapped with Kolkata Municipal Corporation’s notice for lack of cleanliness in serving the cakes as well as while preparing the cakes. Despite, this notice, Nahoum’s popularity doesn’t seem to have gone down one bit! The long queues infront of the cake shop is proof enough how Kolkatans as well as many from different parts of Bengal are making a beeline for their yummy Christmas treats! 

Chicken patties

Kolkata was once a home to a significant community of Jews during the 18th-century. The community gradually dwindled. Nahoum and Sons bakery has a history which dates back to 1902. The current owner of the shop is Isaac Nahoum, who is a Chartered Accountant by profession. Isaac Nahoum’s grandfather, Israel Nahoums was the founder of this shop. He came from Baghdad, Iraq in the 1850’s. He was struck by the love of cake making and started off a small shop in Kolkata’s New Market around 1897. Israel Nahoums ran the confectionary for 60 years with his sons and daughters. 

Isaac Nahoum

Isaac’s brothers, Norman and Solomon also joined the business. Later, their brother David Nahoums joined. Norman was a metallurgist, Solomon was into electronics while David was an engineer. The brothers ran the shop for about 65 years. After the demise of David Nahoums in 2013, Isaac took over the charge of the bakery along with his sisters and nephew. Stepping into the shop takes you on a trip down memory lane. Even today, the Jewish bakery has stuck to its legacy and has not undergone much infrastructure changes or that in its recipes. Be it the cakes, the jam and almond tarts or their famous plum cakes, this  bakery still stands out.

The Christmas special rich fruit cakes

The rich fruit cake of Nahoum’s is flying off the racks. Light Plum Cake is also equally popular. The rich Christmas plum cake is the perfect choice for the forthcoming Christmas celebrations. You will also love devouring their walnut cake or the choco-chip brownies. While the rum balls and lemon tarts are to die for. Nothing can beat the taste of the Honey Almond cake! There are also a variety of cookies and biscuits like vanilla fudge, roman rings, orange biscuits which would make your tea breaks all the more special during Christmas. Norman Nahoums introduced the biscuits and cookies and the Black forest pastry was initiated by Solomon. Other delicacies are the chicken patty, fish rolls, chocolate pastry and madeira cakes. 

The pastries

“Unlike other places, these cakes have a flavour of their own which is simply unparallel and as rich as home baked ones. I have been to many fancy cake shops but nothing seem to be as good as Nahoum’s,” said Taniya Mukherjee who had come all the way from Bansdroni just to buy the rich delicacies for her family. So, cleanliness or no cleanliness, even if Nahoum’s doesn’t have well-manicured, well-dressed waiters serving you, like their prim and proper Park Street cousin, Nahoum’s will beat all records during Christmas in the years to come!

Vanilla and strawberry cakes