Indian cuisine is known for its authentic and bold flavours that are lip-smacking and simply addictive. But apart from the elaborate curries, flatbreads, and rice preparations loaded with flavourful spices, Indian cuisine also boasts a great repertoire of mouthwatering desserts. Among those desserts are the classic kheer and phirni, which are enjoyed by people all over the country during festivals and on regular days too.
Both desserts share similarities, like ingredients such as milk, sugar, and nuts, and essentially being the desi versions of a rice pudding. Their delightful and creamy texture is to die for and the sweet flavour packed with the crunch of nuts feels like heaven. Due to such similarities, it could get confusing between the two desserts, as despite the many commonalities between the two, they are not the same dish. So, let's take a look at some key differences that set these classic desserts apart.
The Type Of Rice
Rice is the standout ingredient in both the preparations and the type of rice that is used to make kheer and phirni differs completely, as does the final product. When it comes to kheer, it is prepared using whole grains of rice, while phirni uses coarsely ground rice, which is soaked for a few hours, typically around 2–3 hours.
This is the main reason behind the difference between the textures of both rice-based desserts.
Cooking Time
The cooking times of both desserts also differ greatly, as any experienced cook would easily be able to tell the difference between kheer and phirni based on their cooking time. Since kheer is made using whole rice grains, it takes a much longer time than phirni to cook, despite both desserts being cooked on low heat. Phirni, on the other hand, uses coarsely ground rice, which makes the cooking process much easier and quicker compared to kheer.
Texture
As mentioned above, the type of rice used in both desserts is different, which ultimately gives kheer and phirni their distinct textures from one another. They also have different cooking times and that factors into the difference in their textures too.
Kheer has a thicker and more luscious texture than phirni that it gets during the slow and longer cooking process, whereas phirni isn't as thick and creamy as kheer but is also a thick and creamy dessert in its own right.
Garnishing And Serving
Both desserts also differ vastly when it comes to the way they are served. A kheer is usually presented in bowls topped with nuts like almonds, cashews, pistachios, and more, whereas phirni, on the other hand, is served in matkas (earthen pots), which are chilled in a refrigerator. Phirnis are also topped with a silver varakh.
Accessibility
Kheer is a much more accessible dessert that you are more likely to find in any part of the country and it also has other names, such as payasam in South India. Phirni, on the other hand, is more dominant in the northern states of India and isn't as accessible as kheer in the other parts of the country.