What Is Pantua? The Bengali Sweet Often Mistaken For Gulab Jamun
When it comes to Bengali sweets, chances are your mind jumps straight to the legendary rosogolla or a chilled pot of mishti doi. No doubt, these two deserve all the love, but there is so much more to Bengali mithai than just the usual favourites. One dessert that definitely deserves its own fan base is Pantua. Ask any Bengali, and they will say it straight - rosogolla and pantua are like sweet siblings. At first glance, pantua could confuse anyone unfamiliar with it. Round, deep-fried to a golden brown, and soaked in syrup, it looks almost exactly like gulab jamun. But anyone who has tasted both will tell you - they are absolutely not the same.
Pantua and gulab jamun might look like sweet cousins from different families - one from Bengal and the other rooted in North Indian (Mughal) traditions. In this piece, we are diving into the rich story of pantua and why it often ends up being mistaken for its North Indian lookalike, gulab jamun.
Also Read: Mishti Doi: How To Make This Popular Bengali Dessert At Home
Pantua Vs. Gulab Jamun: Same Sweet Vibe, Totally Different Identity
At first bite, pantua and gulab jamun might feel similar, but take a closer look and you will spot a few key differences that give each sweet its own place in Indian dessert culture.
- Ingredients make all the difference:
Gulab jamun is usually made with khoya and has a hint of rose (gulab) for fragrance. Pantua, on the other hand, is made with chhana (chhena) or curdled milk and has a punch of elaichi that sets it apart.
- Sugar syrup talk:
Yes, both sweets take a deep dive in sugar syrup. But if you look closely, gulab jamun syrup is thicker and more clingy compared to the lighter syrup used for pantua.
- Texture check:
Since gulab jamun uses khoya and pantua uses chhena, the final bite feels different. Pantua is softer with a light graininess, while gulab jamun is richer and creamier inside.
Also Read: 5 Signs Of A True Gulab Jamun Lover
Pantua vs Gulab Jamun
A Look Into The Story Behind Pantua
Just like rosogolla, pantua is a proud outcome of Bengal's chhena innovation. Back in the 16th century, the Portuguese arrived in Bengal and introduced the idea of curdling milk with lemon or other acidic ingredients. The resulting chhena opened up endless ideas for Bengali sweet-makers (known as moyras).
Food historian K.T. Achaya points out that curdled milk brought a wave of creativity in Bengal's dessert scene, leading to iconic chhana sweets like rosogolla, sandesh, and later, pantua.
Michael Krondl, in his book Sweet Invention: A History of Dessert, mentions a sweet similar to pantua, but made with rice flour, in the 12th-century Sanskrit text Manasollasa, by Chalukya king Someshvara III.
Food blogger and cultural chronicler Indrajit Lahiri also notes that the origin of the name Pantua is still a bit hazy. Some say it comes from Panitua, while others link it to Panitoba, with 'toba' meaning 'down'. He adds that the name might come from how the sweet sinks in the light syrup.
Pantua In Bengali Homes And Celebrations
For Bengalis, pantua feels like home. Step into any Bengali house or sweet shop, and you will spot plump, syrupy pantua on full display. It is there at weddings, festivals, puja bhogs, and even when relatives casually drop by. Pantua has its own army of fans. But unlike gulab jamun, it never quite became the nationwide go-to. Instead, Pantua proudly stays local, with strong roots and an emotional pull for every Bengali.
Also Read: How To Make Rasgulla At Home Just Like Your Local Sweet Shop (Recipe Inside)
The Iconic Ledikeni - Pantua's Popular Cousin
One of the most iconic versions of pantua is the ledikeni - a long-shaped sweet with a backstory. Legend says it was made as a tribute to Lady Charlotte Canning, the wife of India's then Governor-General. Over time, the name evolved into ledikeni - a mix of 'Lady' and 'Canning' with a Bengali twist.
Pantua and gulab jamun may share a few sweet similarities, but their journeys, ingredients, and cultural identity are very different. What brings them together is a shared history of change, food innovation and regional traditions. So, the next time you spot a Bengali mithai shop, do not just stop at rosogulla, try pantua and see what makes it so special.
Advertisement
Comments
About Somdatta Saha Explorer- this is what Somdatta likes to call herself. Be it in terms of food, people or places, all she craves for is to know the unknown. A simple aglio olio pasta or daal-chawal and a good movie can make her day.
For the latest food news, health tips and recipes, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and YouTube.
Tags:
Pantua
Bengali Sweets
Gulab Jamun
Show full article
Comments
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
21 hours ago
- Time of India
Koel Mallick embraces the spirit of yoga on International Yoga Day: ‘Be fit, be happy'
Koel Mallick on International Yoga Day 2025 As the world came together to celebrate International Yoga Day on June 21, Bengali cinema's favourite star Koel Mallick took a moment to share a personal message of wellness and positivity with her followers. Posting a video of herself engaged in yoga practice, Koel reflected on the deeper philosophy behind the ancient discipline. 'Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self! Happy International Yoga Day!!!! Be fit, be happy!!!' she wrote, blending motivation with mindfulness. Clad in comfortable workout gear, she could be seen flowing effortlessly through the asanas, embodying calm, grace, and focus. This isn't the first time Koel has championed fitness and holistic living. Known for striking a balance between her busy acting career and personal well-being, she has often spoken about how yoga and disciplined workouts help her stay grounded. For her, yoga is not just about flexibility or physical strength, but a path to mental clarity and emotional balance. Fans responded warmly to her post, flooding the comments with heart emojis, words of encouragement, and sharing how they too have embraced yoga in their lives. International Yoga Day, first proposed by India at the United Nations in 2014, has grown into a global movement encouraging people to discover the transformative power of yoga—not just as exercise, but as a holistic way of life. Koel's heartfelt message this year resonates with that very idea: that true fitness isn't just about the body, but about aligning the mind, heart, and spirit. And in her words, it's ultimately about choosing happiness.
India.com
2 days ago
- India.com
Meet actress who ran away from home at 15, got married twice, became pregnant before marriage, is now..., her name is..
Meet actress who ran away from home at 15, got married twice, became pregnant before marriage, is now..., her name is.. Some iconic roles played by actors and actresses stay in the audience's hearts. Just like that, the role of Goddess Parvati in the serial Devon Ke Dev Mahadev is still etched in many minds. Not just the role, but the actress too! And today, we will discuss an actress who started her life with struggles. She got married at an early age, however parted ways. After this, the actress witnessed highs and lows, but still became a fame. If the above-mentioned cues don't ring a bell, then let us tell you we are talking about none other than Puja Banerjee. The actress has been a part of several reality shows including Roadies, Comedy Circus, and Bigg Boss. She has also been a part of Bengali, Marathi, Hindi, and Telugu films. While today, Puja is one of the celebrated actors in the industry, she has faced massive ups and downs. Puja Banerjee Ran Away Due To… Do you know that Puja got married at the early age of 15? Not just that, she also ran away from home. She wanted to marry her boyfriend Arunoy Chakraborty, and the two tied the knot in 2004, as per a News18 Hindi report. However, after 9 years, the two parted ways. After divorcing Arunoy, Puja Banerjee focused on her acting career. During this time, she was offered the role of Parvati in Devon Ke Dev Mahadev. As soon as she played this character, she became a star overnight. Then she never looked back. During that time, she met Kunal and the two fell in love. However, they kept their relationship a secret. Puja Banerjee Got Married Second Time With The two secretly got engaged in 2017 and wanted to hold a grand wedding. However, after Covid hit the entire nation, the two decided to get married in an intimate ceremony. In the same year, Puja gave birth to her son. Many media reports claim that Puja was already pregnant before getting married. Talking about her relationship with Kunal, Puja in an interview said, 'There is something new in our relationship. Even our relatives are treating us like newlyweds and inviting us for dinner. Earlier, they did not call us even during times of crisis.'
India.com
2 days ago
- India.com
Meet actress, who ran away from home at 15, married twice, got pregnant before marriage, is now..., her name is..., faced FIR after...
In the ever-evolving world of Indian television, where countless faces come and go, one particular actress carved a permanent space for herself by portraying a character that became a household name. Her journey from relative obscurity to massive stardom began with a single role that struck an emotional chord with viewers across the country. With a blend of grace, conviction, and authenticity, she brought depth to a character that mirrored everyday struggles and silent resilience. Popular TV Actress… Here we are talking about Puja Banerjee, who plays the role of 'Mata Parvati' in the serial 'Devon Ke Dev Mahadev', Puja Banerjee has been facing significant personal challenges in recent days. She and her husband, Kunal Verma, claimed on their YouTube channel that they had been cheated and had lost their life savings. The couple stated that the individual who deceived them was a close friend they had known for three years. Currently, Puja is facing another issue as an arrest warrant hangs over her. A filmmaker has accused the couple of kidnapping, assault, and extortion, leading to a complaint being filed with the Goa Police. Bengali filmmaker Sundar Shyam Dey alleges that Puja and Kunal kidnapped him in Goa and held him hostage in a villa, during which they extorted a substantial amount of money from him. His wife, Malbika, has also complained about the couple with the Goa Police. Fans are shocked by these serious allegations against Puja and Kunal. Shyam Sundar Dey claims he was on holiday in Goa when his car was surrounded by a black Jaguar. He considered Puja Banerjee as a sister, and when he emerged from the car, he was reportedly abducted. Dey asserts that the entire incident may have been recorded on CCTV. Puja Banerjee's Personal Life And Failed Marriage With… Puja Banerjee has had a tumultuous personal life. She has been married twice and ran away from home at the age of 15, becoming pregnant before marriage. In 2004, she took seven vows with her then-partner, Arunoy Chakraborty. However, their marriage lasted only nine years and ended in mutual consent in 2013. After the end of her first marriage, Puja focused on her career and earned a name for herself in the television industry. She portrayed Parvati in 'Devon Ke Dev Mahadev' with such dedication that the show propelled her to stardom. Subsequently, she met TV actor Kunal Verma and after dating for several years, they decided to marry in Goa in 2021. Notably, Puja became a mother in 2020, before their marriage.
