Sweet, Spice & Everything Nice

The traditional Indian mithai, a staple during festivals, is getting a modern twist. From French-inspired confections to inventive classics, a new wave of modern mithaiwalas is transforming festive sweets.

Sweet dreams are made of love and desserts! As the last quarter of the year approaches, it brings with it a perfect excuse to indulge — pleasant weather, endless celebrations, and a feast of delectable treats. During the vibrant season of Dussehra and Diwali, the craving for premium sweets with traditional flavours is at its peak.

While long-established mithai brands continue to hold their esteemed positions, a new wave of inventive mithaiwalas is emerging in the metropolitan areas, adding a modern and often healthier twist to our beloved traditional sweets. So this festive season, savour the fusion of tradition and innovation in every bite.

The French Connection

Arq, which translates to “purest extract,” embodies the spirit of the company founded by chefs Neha Lakhani and Ashay Dhopatkar. Their creations seamlessly merge Indian flavours with a contemporary twist, offering both a visual and culinary delight that’s perfect for gifting. From elegant square barfis to meticulously crafted mithai boxes, their offerings showcase the finesse of French pâtisserie. Since 2018, Arq has been dedicated to authentic flavour and impeccable packaging, delivering a unique experience. Among their popular treats, the Besan Laddu Bon Bon stands out, while the Signature Coffee Bite, inspired by classic candies, evokes a nostalgic indulgence.

Traditions at the Forefront

Girija, a chartered accountant, and her partner Shrikar, an architect, founded Hatti & Giraffe with a commitment to preserving the art of traditional home cooking. Their sweets, crafted in the oldfashioned way and presented with a modern touch, honour generational recipes without compromise. By focusing on highquality ingredients and avoiding substitutes, they keep the essence of authentic Indian sweets alive. Their bite-sized Karanji Bon Bon and Thalipeeth crackers blend Maharashtrian flavours with contemporary twists, while their petite balushahi, made with a traditional recipe and innovative ingredient ratios, is a standout. Their professional precision and attention to detail are reflected in every meticulously crafted sweet.

Vintage Charm

Maska Bakery, founded by Heena Punwani, pays tribute to Mumbai’s traditional bakeries by reimagining classic flavours. The bakery focuses on high-quality ingredients and uses sugar sparingly to enhance, rather than overpower, the flavours. This festive season, Maska’s signature treat is a chocolate bar infused with the taste of kaju katli, featuring a delightful cashew crunch. Another nostalgic offering is a fruit and nut bar, filled with apricots, raisins, and other dried fruits, evoking childhood memories. These treats are crafted with 60 per cent dark chocolate and wrapped in authentic gold leaf, adding a touch of vintage charm. Maska also introduces special menus during festivals, offering innovative reinterpretations of traditional flavours.

The premium platter

At Laddooh, every bite-sized delight is a testament to luxury. The signature Besan Slab, a sumptuous take on besan halwa passed down from the brand owner chef Sugandha Saxena’s grandmother, offers an opulent experience. Specialising in handcrafted heritage and contemporary Indian sweets, each mithai is freshly made to order, ensuring unparalleled freshness. Favourites like Pista Lauj Laddoo top the bestseller list, with chef Sugandha using premium ingredients such as real gold leaf to elevate her creations. Despite years in the business, she personally inspects each box, ensuring meticulous attention to detail and quality in every order.

Heirloom Treats

The story of Varque began with a cherished family recipe passed down to Arpan Sachdev, a resident of Delhi’s Punjabi Bagh. Inspired by her motherin- law’s perfect besan laddu, Sachdev turned her passion for feeding people into a thriving business. Her sweets, based on dry fruits, besan and coconut, cater to a variety of dietary needs, including sugar-free, gluten-free, and vegan options. Notable favourites include the Blueberry Badam Laddu and Bournvita Chocolate Barfi, with delightful surprises like Aam Papad and Lotus Biscoff Laddus offering unexpected flavours.

Health in a Box

Chef Raveena Taurani, founder of Yogisattva, focuses on creating traditional mithai without dairy, wheat, or white sugar. By using alternative ingredients, she preserves the essence of mithai while catering to vegan and gluten-free clients. Her sweets, beloved by a loyal following, include top favourites like Saffron Malai Ladoos, Rose Kaju Katli, and Mango Kulfi. The Saffron Malai Ladoos, made with coconut cream, melt in your mouth just like traditional malai.

As Indian mithais continue to evolve through innovative techniques, the fusion of traditional flavours with modern flair is redefining the confectionery scene. Handcrafted, artisanal sweets are now more popular than ever, with luxury mithai makers elevating the sweet (mithai) experience to new heights.