SWEET SUCCESS

A new crop of mithai stores is reinventing local treats for the 21st century

- AATISH NATH

If you’ve grown up biting into chikki and ladoos, barfis and pedas – it can often seem like though you have fond memories of the sweets, they’re now everything you avoid. Sweet, filled with fat and frequently made in spaces where you can’t judge the hygiene standards — until recently they weren’t ready for their close up on social media. Though that is slowly changing.

As the country has moved to rediscover its local traditions, it’s no surprise that after regional Indian food, its mithai that has been given a makeover by young brands in the country’s big urban centres. While some, like the recently opened Bombay Sweet Shop, have been launched by those with experience in other culinary endeavours, others like New Delhi-based Khoya, Berfila and Arq are driven by entrepreneurs and chefs.