Mysore pak facts for kids
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| Course | Dessert |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | India |
| Invented | 1935 |
| Main ingredients | Ghee or oil, sugar, gram flour |
Mysore pak is a delicious Indian sweet treat. It is made mostly from ghee (clarified butter), sugar, and gram flour (a type of chickpea flour). This popular dessert comes from the city of Mysore in the Indian state of Karnataka. Its texture is often compared to a soft, buttery cookie.
Contents
The Story of Mysore Pak
Mysore pak is a special sweet often enjoyed at weddings and festivals. It is also given at baby showers in southern India.
How Mysore Pak Was Invented
The story of Mysore pak began in 1935. Krishna Raja Wadiyar IV was the Maharaja of Mysore. He loved food and had a very large kitchen at his Amba Vilas Palace.
Kakasura Madappa was the head chef. He was famous for making delicious sweets. One day, he wanted to make something new for the King. He mixed gram flour, ghee, and sugar. This created a soft, sweet mixture.
The King tasted it and loved it! He asked Madappa what this new sweet was called. Madappa quickly said, "Mysore Pak!" The King liked it so much that he asked Madappa to open a sweet shop. This shop was just outside the palace.
What is Paaka?
The word paaka means a very sweet, sticky syrup. It is made by boiling sugar with water. For Mysore pak, this syrup is heated until it reaches a certain stage. This sweet syrup is used in many Indian desserts. It gives them their sweet taste.
Where to Find Original Mysore Pak
The recipe for Mysore pak has gotten better over the years. You can still find the original sweet today. It is sold at "Guru Sweets" stores in Devaraja Market. These stores are run by Kumar and Shivanand. They are the great-grandsons of the original chef, Kakasura Madappa.
What Mysore Pak is Made Of
Mysore pak is made from a few simple ingredients. The main ones are gram flour (also called Besan), ghee, sugar, and water. It is a very popular sweet in Southern India. Sometimes, other ingredients like baking soda or cardamom are added.
What Mysore Pak is Like
Mysore pak has some special features that make it unique.
Shape and Taste
Mysore pak is usually cut into small squares or rectangles. It is known for being a very sweet dish.
Texture and Color
The texture of Mysore pak can be different. If it is made with less ghee, it can be hard and have small holes. If it is made with a lot of ghee, it becomes soft and thick. The steam from the sugar syrup makes the sweet porous. Extra ghee can fill these holes, making it dense.
The color of Mysore pak is usually yellow to light brown. This color comes from the roasted gram flour.
How Long it Stays Fresh
Not much water is used to make Mysore pak. This means it can stay fresh for a while. You should keep it in a cool, dry place. It is best to eat it within one month.
See also
In Spanish: Mysore pak para niños
