Koderma. In today’s modern times, having a copy of any popular item is not a big deal. Even food items and sweets have started being copied. But, till date no one has been able to copy the famous creamy and granular saffron Kalakand of Koderma, which has left the mark of its sweetness in foreign countries. Interestingly, many sweet shopkeepers tried to make the famous Saffron Kalakand by taking Kalakand artisans from Koderma to another city, but even the artisans outside the district could not succeed.
People become crazy for the first time
Vikas Seth, director of Kanhaiya Sweets, famous for its saffron kalakand in Jhumri Tilaiya, told Local 18 that the kalakand here has also been a medium to increase the sweetness of mutual relations over the years. The creamy and granular saffron kalakand dissolves in the mouth. Gives wonderful taste to people with less sweetness. Be it to please the boss or to welcome top leaders of political parties or to attend a wedding, the residents of the city definitely take Kalakand from here.
demand even abroad
It was further told that this Kalakand is in demand because after tasting it, people cannot remain impressed by it. Those who gift it, people also request to bring this Kalakand in their next meeting. People of Koderma living in other countries including Dubai, South Africa take Kalakand with them abroad and whoever tastes it once becomes completely crazy about it.
Ready in 20 minutes, decorated with dry fruits
Vikas said, it takes 15 to 20 minutes to prepare Kalakand. The milk is boiled and condensed on low and high flame as per requirement. After this, a small amount of alum is added and it is granulated. Then it is put in a tray and left to cool. After it cools down, it is garnished with saffron, almonds and pistachios. After this, it is cut into small pieces and made available in boxes as per the customer’s demand. Told that during cold days, Kalakand remains completely safe for 72 hours. Being a sweet made from milk, it cannot be stored for long.
Demand for saffron kalakand is high
Currently four types of Kalakand are available in Jhumri Tilaiya. Among these, white, saffron, jaggery kalakand and sugar free kalakand are sold on a large scale every day. Among these, saffron kalakand is sold the most. Plain Kalakand, Saffron Kalakand is sold at Rs 480 per kg, Sugar Free Kalakand, Jaggery Kalakand is sold at Rs 520 per kg.
History of Kalakand in Koderma
Experts say that in 1955-56, when mica work was done on a large scale here. Then Kalakand sweets were first made in Bhatia Sweet Store of Jhumri Tilaiya. Hotel owner Karan Singh Bhatia and his sons Hansraj Bhatia and Mulk Raj Bhatia, who settled in Tilaiya from Punjab, did not even know how Kalakand was made. Then they somehow started preparing it by freezing Chhena. But, the water and environment here made Kalakand very tasty and creamy. In the initial period, Kalakand was sold only in Bhatia Sweet Shop. Around 1980, Bhatia Sweet Store located at Jhanda Chowk was closed due to some reason.
FIRST PUBLISHED: November 20, 2024, 15:50 IST
