Bengalis’ Never-Ending Love for Mishti: A Sweet Affair That Defines Kolkata

If there is one thing that truly captures the heart of a Bengali, it is mishti (sweets). From early morning tea with a bite of rosogolla to festive feasts ending with sandesh, sweets are not just desserts here—they are emotions, traditions, and an inseparable part of daily life. As someone born and raised in Kolkata, I can say with pride: our love for mishti will never fade.

A Tradition Rooted in Culture

Walk through any lane of Kolkata, and you will be greeted by the sweet aroma drifting out of local sweet shops. Rosogolla, mishti doi, chamcham, and sandesh are more than confections—they are symbols of hospitality and celebration. No Bengali wedding, puja, or family gathering is complete without trays of sweets. Offering mishti is not just a tradition, it’s a way of showing respect and love.

Mishti as a Daily Ritual

For us, sweets are not reserved only for festivals. Many Bengalis enjoy a small bowl of mishti doi after meals, or start their mornings with gur sandesh. Even a simple visit to a relative’s house often ends with the question, “Ki mishti khabe?” (What sweet would you like to have?).

A Taste That Unites Generations

Every generation has its favorite mishti. While elders often prefer the classic kacha golla or notun gur er sandesh during winter, the younger crowd loves fusion sweets—like chocolate rosogolla or baked sandesh. Despite changing times, one thing remains the same: the sweetness binds us together.

Kolkata’s Sweet Economy

Kolkata is home to thousands of sweet shops, big and small, that keep this tradition alive. Legendary names like K.C. Das, Balaram Mullick & Radharaman Mullick, and Nobin Chandra Das continue to serve delicacies that locals and tourists line up for. The city’s sweet industry not only fuels taste buds but also contributes significantly to the local economy.

A Global Love Story

Today, Bengali mishti is no longer confined to Bengal. From New Jersey to London, Bengali sweet shops are spreading the culture abroad. NRIs often say that one bite of rosogolla or mishti doi instantly transports them back to their roots.

The Emotional Connection

For us Kolkatans, mishti is more than sugar and milk—it is nostalgia, warmth, and identity. It’s the sweet bite after exams, the offering to Maa Durga during Durga Puja, and the box we carry to friends when sharing good news. Mishti is how we celebrate life itself.

Final Word

Bengalis’ love for mishti is not just never-ending—it’s eternal. Whether it’s a simple rosogolla dunked in syrup or an artisanal fusion creation, mishti remains the beating heart of Bengal’s culture. And as every Kolkata person would agree: life feels incomplete without a touch of sweetness.