Bhubaneswar: TasteAtlas has listed ‘Khaja’ from Odisha among the best ‘sweet pastries’ from around the world.
It is the only entry from India and has a 3.7 rating.
“Khaja is a traditional Indian dessert consisting of flour, sugar, and ghee-based dough that is deep-fried in oil until golden and crispy. After the preparation, khaja is sometimes soaked in sugar syrup, depending on the regional variation of the recipe,” it noted.
The online guide for traditional food has also placed Khaja, also known as Pheni, in the list of Top 4 Indian pastries along with Gujiya (North India), Chiroti (South India) and Karanji (Maharasthra).
The traditional layered sweet is an integral part of ‘Mahaprasad’ of the sibling deities of Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri. Devotees often pick the crispy ‘Sukhila Prasad’ with unique taste and texture from Ananda Bazaar on the temple premises or buy a wicker basketful from the shops along Bada Danda (Grand Road) to carry home for friends and relatives.
Though an import, Odisha’s unique ghee making process and a few additions have transformed it into an elevated position of spiritualism.
