In the shape of two years of lockdown-fueled online shopping, a boom of sweet boutiques offers hand-crafted, modern interpretations of heritage cuisine
In the shape of two years of lockdown-fueled online shopping, a boom of sweet boutiques offers hand-crafted, modern interpretations of heritage cuisine
Hattie and the Giraffe
A few months before the pandemic hit, Sreekar Bhave, an architect, and his accountant wife, Girija, returned to India after leaving a full-time job in the US. “In the beginning, we combined our professional commitments with our business. We made all our laddus from our home kitchen – rolled and packed them late at night to order,” says Sreekar, of his brand Hutty & Giraffe, which offers nutty laddoos and creamy besan burfi.
Shrikar Bhave and Girija | photo credit: Sachin Powley
Today, Hatti & Giraffe has grown to a team of seven and offers seven different products. The brand he calls brings together the couple’s surnames – Sreekar is called Hatti (elephant in Marathi), and the six-feet tall Girija was nicknamed ‘Giraffe’ at school.
As working professionals who prefer homemade food over store-bought food, the two realized the need for a niche market for family favorites. “We have perfected the recipes we learned from our mothers and grandmothers and combined them with our modern approach to focus on cleanliness, sustainability,” he says. The roasted pohe chivdas are Srikar’s mother’s recipe, and the Konkani coconut vadi comes from Girija’s grandmother – all neatly packaged in blue-tinted tin boxes.
Spicy Besan Barfi of Hatti and Giraffe | photo credit: Sachin Powley
This Diwali, look forward to her new launches: Keshar Shrikhand (another recipe from her mother), Anjeer Peda, Salt and Pepper Cashews. “Based on customer feedback, we are also going to introduce all our products in small tin boxes post Diwali,” says Sreekar.
Sweets & Sewais above ₹500 starting at ₹300 at hattiandgiraffe.com/
Bombay Sweet Shop, Mumbai
Founder and CEO Sameer Seth says, “Over the years, we have seen that while people crave traditional sweets, they are up for some innovation and looking for some innovation.” Staying true to its succinct description of making sweets ‘contemporary, relevant, fun’ at the recently introduced indie bar of Mumbai’s Bombay Sweet Shop, a layer of coconut, black pepper caramel, melt-in-the-mouth Layers are introduced. patisa – All wrapped in dark chocolate.
From the range of Bombay Sweet Shop. photo credit: special arrangement
This two year old festive season includes Pista Apricot Jim Jam, Anjeer Chocolate Roll, Walnut Dodha Barfi, Badam Pak, Rangeela Laddu, Vegan Power Burfi and Kesar Cutting Katli.
Gift hampers are also available with add-ons like assorted nuts like Diwali Delight Box, Teen Patti Bag, Badi Diwali Box, Choti Diwali Box. Chikki, salty snacks, dessert-inspired candles and a deck of playing cards. His bestseller, says Sameer, is a mixed sweet box of nine. He adds, “You can taste Kaju Bon Bon, Nolan Gur Kheer Kadam, Kapi Pak, our version of the coffee-flavored soft Mysore Pak, an extra indulgent dulce de leche peda, among others.”
bombesweetshop.com
Meethi Kahani, Pune
When Anuradha Sawhney forayed into the modern vegetarian sweets industry four years ago, the demand was limited to metro cities. About the brand that was launched in 2021, she says, “Today, we receive orders for our vegetarian sweets from all parts of the country, adding that only plant-based ingredients are used in Meethi Kahani.
She says today’s customers are on the lookout for vegetarian sweets for a variety of reasons. “While some want the same flavor as their dairy counterparts, but with the added health benefits, others want cruelty-free alternatives.”
Vegetarian Dessert in Meethi Kahani | photo credit: special arrangement
This year, the launches include Rose Pista Burfi, Rose Chocolate Walnut Fudge and a range of Laddus. “Keeping in mind the trend of healthy eating, we have launched our super seed pumpkin, sunflower seed ladoos. For the fans of quinoa, we have quinoa laddoos, and also a range of millets, oats, bajra.” Anuradha says her popular sweets are Pista Mawa Barfi, Kaju Katli (made from Jaggery) and Coconut Barfi.
methikahani.com
Putharekulu of Badam House | photo credit: special arrangement
Badam House, Hyderabad
CEO Chaitanya Muppala says the pandemic has increased the need for good practices. “Consumers expect a safe, clean and attractive retail shopping experience and also demand less plastic and environmentally safe and sustainable packaging.” Compared to the pre-lockdown days, he says consumers are increasingly looking for vegetarian options, no artificial sugar, and jaggery-based sweets. ,
A range of premium dry fruit sweets, jaggery based treats and vegans are available this festive season. “The new variants under the Khara range include Doodh Matar, Crunch Mix, and our Kaju Barfi, Bisticks and Khara range which includes Chagodi, Chekkalu and Murukulu have always been at the forefront,” he says, adding, traditional, in-house Telugu and Bengali sweets have always been popular. “Consumers are finding value in the goodness of jaggery, and our Babbatlu, Kaju Pak, and Putharekulu are popular.”
almondhouse.com/