Shemai
Traditional dessert in Bangladesh
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Shemai (Bengali: সেমাই, সিমুই) is a traditional dessert in Bangladesh and Indian state of Odisha and West Bengal. Shemai is popular during Eid, but consumed throughout the year.[1] It is a dessert form of vermicelli, soaked in sweet milk and often garnished with nuts.[2]
Shemai | |
| Alternative names | সেমাই/সিমুই |
|---|---|
| Type | dessert |
| Place of origin | Bengal region |
| Region or state | Bengal, South Asia |
| Associated cuisine | Bangladesh, India |
| Main ingredients | Vermicelli, milk, cashew nuts, cardamom, ghee |
| Variations | Milk shemai, dry shemai |
Ingredients
History
Shemai originated from Bengal.[6] Ice Today described shemai as a distant cousin of sheer khurma, an Afghan dessert, as well as seviyan, a pudding popular in North India and Pakistan.[7] Some recipes use powdered milk and/or condensed milk.[8][9]
The hygiene of factories producing shemai has been questioned.[10][11] In June 2016, substandard shemai, produced in unauthorized factories, flooded the market in Saidpur, Bangladesh.[12] The next year, there was widespread adultered shemai in Chittagong.[13] Sales of packaged shemai fell during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh. The prices also rose as many of the factories stopped production due to the pandemic.[14]
