The Sweet Symphony Of Royal Hyderabadi Desserts

Hyderabad is a city with a rich cultural heritage and a culinary reputation that is renowned worldwide. Visitors who spend time in Hyderabad can attest to the city's warm hospitality and unique blend of history, culture, and traditions. The city's cuisine truly reflects its diverse culture, and Hyderabadi dishes are a treat for the taste buds at any time of the day. While the Biryanis, Kebabs, Haleem, and Salans are well-known, a truly authentic Hyderabadi meal isn't complete without indulging in the city's famous sweets and desserts. For locals, sweets, or "Meetha," are a must-have for any meal, and only then can one fully appreciate the leisurely, delicious dining experience that Hyderabad is famous for. 

Khubani Ka Meetha 

Undoubtedly, one of the most famous and beloved desserts in Hyderabadi cuisine is ‘Khubani ka Meetha’. This delectable dessert is made by steeping dried apricots in water overnight, then cooking them in sweet syrup until they become soft and plump. Once ready, the dessert is served chilled with fresh cream on top. The texture and flavour of ‘Khubani ka Meetha’ are truly delightful and have been cherished by food lovers for generations, dating back to the times of the Nizams. 

Apricots have always been a prized ingredient in this dessert, often imported from Afghanistan, Iran, and Turkey. Due to their high cost, only the rich and opulent Nizams could afford to use them in their cuisine. Khubani ka Meetha was a popular dessert prepared for royal banquets and weddings, and even today, it is a must-have item on the menu of traditional Hyderabadi weddings. 

Despite its royal origins, ‘Khubani ka Meetha; is a beloved dessert among people of all backgrounds in Hyderabad. Its sweet and tangy flavour, combined with the creamy richness of fresh cream, is irresistible and will leave a lasting impression on anyone who tries it. 

Double Ka Meetha 

The ‘Double Ka Meetha; is a delectable Hyderabadi dessert made from crispy fried bread, soaked in sweetened milk and flavoured with cardamom and saffron. The dish derives its name from 'Double Roti,' a term used for bread in India. Today, bread is ubiquitous in India and consumed in almost every household, but it was considered a luxury culinary item during the Mughal and Nizam eras. As a result, stale bread slices were never thrown away but instead were used to create delicious desserts like the Double Ka Meetha. 

This dessert is crispy, sweet, and juicy, and it is best served warm, preferably garnished with nuts like cashews or almonds, which enhances its royal profile. All love the golden-brown hue of ‘Double Ka Meetha’, often served at weddings and festivals. A must-try dessert in Hyderabad, it offers a glimpse into the city's rich culinary heritage that has been evolving for centuries. 

Kaddu Ki Kheer 

‘Kaddu ki Kheer; is a heavenly dessert that is cherished by the people of Hyderabad. This creamy and luscious milk-based dessert is made with grated white pumpkin (Bottle gourd) cooked with sweetened milk until it thickens to a creamy consistency. The kheer is then garnished with almonds, pistachios, and a dash of ‘Kewra’ water (made from the Pandanus flower) for essence and aroma. In Hyderabad, ‘Kaddu ki Kheer’ is prepared; in every household, especially during festivals like Eid and Diwali. After a spicy biryani meal, a bowl of chilled Kaddu ki Kheer is the perfect dessert to cool your gut and satisfy your sweet tooth. This dessert is not just one of the best-tasting desserts in Hyderabad but also one of the finest desserts in the world if prepared well. You must try it to experience the magic yourself. 

Gil - e - Firdaus 

‘Gil-e-Firdaus’ is a delectable dessert from Hyderabad, usually served in earthenware ‘Sakoras’. It is made with milk, rice, and bottle gourd as the main ingredients, with tapioca, sabudana, or khoya added to sweetened milk to give the dessert a creamy texture. 

To enhance the dessert's flavour and aroma, saffron, cardamom powder, almonds, and cashews are often included. The name "Gil-e-Firdaus" translates to "Clay of Paradise," perfectly capturing this celebratory dessert's heavenly taste and texture. 

Jauzi Halwa 

Mozamjahi Market in Hyderabad is a well-known destination for food lovers. Across from this iconic heritage market lies Hameedi Confectioners, a century-old establishment serving the delectable ‘Jauzi Halwa’ to the sweet-toothed people of Hyderabad. This special halwa, made by a Turkish descendant, contains a subtle hint of Nutmeg (Jauz) and just the right sweetness to delight food enthusiasts. 

The Nizam of Hyderabad was among the first and most committed patrons of ‘Jauzi Halwa’, which helped to bring much fame to Hameedi Confectioners as the Nizam's Famous Sweet Shop. This red-coloured halwa, rich with ghee, dry fruits, and a great depth of flavour, has become a must-have experience for all gastronomes visiting Hyderabad. 

‘Jauzi Halwa’ is a beloved dessert that has become an essential part of Hyderabad's rich culinary heritage, with Hameedi Confectioners being a must-visit place for anyone looking to savour the authentic taste of this iconic sweet dish. 

Mauz Ka Meetha 

Nizam's love for exquisite cuisine has brought about many delectable desserts originating from the kitchens of Hyderabad, and ‘Mauz Ka Meetha’ is undoubtedly one of them. This luscious dessert is a must-try for anyone visiting Hyderabad. ‘Mauz Ka Meetha’ is typically prepared at home with ripe bananas and milk, enriched with cardamom and saffron flavours, creating a creamy and aromatic dessert. Adding condensed milk gives ‘Mauz Ka Meetha’ a unique texture, combining kheer and rabdi, with bananas taking centre stage in this decadent and irresistible sweet dish. It's an easy-to-prepare recipe that's perfect for any festive occasion and definitely worth trying at home. 

Tamatar Ka Halwa Or Shahjahani  Meetha 

Hyderabadi cuisine never ceases to amaze with its unique and delightful flavours. One such example is ‘Tamatar ka Halwa’, a dessert made from tomatoes that will surely surprise and satisfy the palate. The dish, primarily prepared in homes, has a sweet and tangy flavour profile that true food lovers find irresistible. 

To make ‘Tamatar ka Halwa’, ripe tomatoes are peeled, deseeded, and pureed. The puree is then cooked with sugar, ghee, and cardamom until it thickens and becomes jam-like in consistency. Nuts like almonds and pistachios are added for crunch, resulting in a rich and indulgent dessert with a unique flavour profile. 

Despite using unconventional ingredients like tomatoes, ‘Tamatar ka Halwa’ is a delicious and inventive dessert that pays tribute to the creativity of Hyderabadi cuisine. 

Badam Ki Jali 

This famed mithai of Hyderabad’s old city is one of the favourites of all Hyderabadis with a sweet tooth. Prepared with high-quality almond paste, ‘badam ki jali’ is shaped and carries the creamy texture of a barfi; shaped into unique patterns with lacy designs resembling a mesh, thereby giving it the name ‘Badaam ki Jali’. This exquisite Hyderabadi mithai is high priced due to the usage of expensive ingredients like almonds; however, its taste justifies the price and its popularity during weddings and festivals. 

Badshahi Falooda 

Hyderabadi ‘Badshahi Falooda’ is a rich and indulgent dessert that is perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth while exploring the flavourful food of Hyderabad. This chilled dessert is served in a tall glass and is loaded with sweet goodness like sweetened condensed milk, vermicelli (falooda), basil seeds (sabza), tutti frutti, rose syrup, nuts, and raisins. 

To top off the decadence, a scoop of vanilla ice cream is added to the glass, and the dessert is further garnished with syrup and nuts. The result is a dessert cum beverage that is heavy and delicious. 

Hyderabadi ‘Badshahi Falooda’ is especially popular during the hot summer months when it provides a cooling effect on the gut, making it the perfect refreshing treat. Although it can be enjoyed year-round, it is particularly popular during the holy month of Ramadan, when it is considered a ritual food that true food lovers do not miss out on. 

Osmania Biscuits 

Osmania biscuits are a legendary sweet treat from Hyderabad that no food lover should miss. These small, crisp biscuits are a testament to the baking skills of the city's famous bakeries, with the likes of Karachi Bakery and Subhan Bakery leading the way. 

The subtle flavours of cardamom and saffron combine perfectly with the crisp texture of the biscuits, making them the perfect accompaniment to a cup of Irani chai. The quality of Osmania biscuits found in the city of the Nizams is simply unmatched and makes them a must-try for anyone exploring Hyderabad's fantastic food scene. 

Whether you're a local or a visitor to the city, no trip to Hyderabad is complete without indulging in some Osmania biscuits. So be sure to add them to your list of must-try sweet goodies and experience the unique flavours of this iconic Hyderabad delicacy. 

Hyderabad has many more sweets and desserts like ‘Sheer Kurma’, ‘Rabdi’, ‘Jalebi’, ‘Gulab Jamun’, ‘Phirni’, and ‘Gajar Ka Halwa’. Homemade fruit ice creams are another delightful dessert that can cool off your palate and satisfy your cravings for something sweet. Andhra cuisine also offers a range of delicious sweet dishes such as ‘Ariselu’, ‘Polelu’, and ‘Putharekulu’. 

Hyderabad is truly a paradise for dessert lovers. With a vast array of desserts and sweets to choose from, it's impossible to resist the temptation of indulging in them all. However, what sets Hyderabadi desserts apart is their unique taste and flavour profile that reflects the city's rich culinary heritage. Whether accompanying the world-famous biryani or haleem or enjoying the desserts by themselves, Hyderabad offers a complete gastronomical experience that will leave a lasting impression on your taste buds. 

So, whether you're a food lover or a sweets enthusiast, make sure to visit Hyderabad and experience its grand cuisine. I assure you that this food lover's paradise will leave you longing for more. 

Sidharth Bhan Gupta, Founder of 361 Degrees Hospitality, is a Hospitality / Food and Beverage / Restaurant Consultant, Travelling across India on a Cultural and Culinary Exploration.