When we think of sweets from Bengal, rosogolla is the probably the first one that pops in our mind. However, did you ever think about where your favourite sweet originates from and what its history is?
The soft, spongy, and delectable sweet, has become synonymous with Bengali culture. Its origins trace back to Kolkata in the late 19th century, where Nobin Chandra Das, a renowned sweet maker, revolutionized traditional Indian sweets.
After experimenting with chenna and sugar, he made the heavenly sweet.
However, there is a tussle. Odisha insists that its origins lie in the town of Puri. In Odisha, Rasgullas have been a part of the Jagannath Temple rituals for centuries, making it a staple of the region’s culture.
With the rise of Indian restaurants across the UK, the US, and the Middle East, the iconic dessert has become popular in menus across the world.
The GI Tag tussle between Bengal and Odisha
The Geographical Indication (GI) tag tussle between Bengal and Odisha centers around the origins of the iconic “Rasgulla,” a beloved Bengali sweet. Bengal claims that the sweet was invented in Kolkata in the 19th century, while Odisha argues that its roots trace back to the ancient temple of Puri, where the dessert was part of religious offerings. The dispute escalated when both states filed for the GI tag, with Bengal finally securing the tag for ‘rosogolla’ in 2017.
Odisha, on the other hand, secured the Geographical Indication (GI) tag for ‘Odisha rasagola.’ in 2019.
The modern variants of rosogolla
Now rosogolla has gone through an exciting transformation. While it remains beloved in its traditional form, modern variations of the sweet have emerged. Be it baked rosogollas, sugar free variants, or rosogolla icecream, the dessert continues to evolve while staying true to its origins.
These variants blend the soft, spongy texture of the original with different fillings and coatings.
