Mishti Doi is a traditional sweet dish that originates from the eastern Indian state of West Bengal. It is a yogurt-based dessert, made with reduced milk and sugar, and is flavoured with a variety of regional ingredients.
The history of Mishti Doi dates back centuries, to the time when it was prepared by the local people of Bengal as an offering to their Gods. The use of jaggery in the recipe was particularly popular among the people of Bengal since it was considered to be a healthier alternative to refined sugar. Over time, this delicious dessert has become an integral part of Bengali cuisine and culture.
Today, Mishti Doi is popular not only in West Bengal but also across India and abroad. It can be found in various Indian restaurants and street food stalls, as well as in various cultural festivals and celebrations.Mishti Doi is a traditional Bengali sweet dish, mainly popular in Eastern India. It is made of curd (yoghurt/dahi) that has been sweetened with jaggery or sugar. This dish is usually served in clay pots, which helps to keep the yogurt cool and give it a unique flavor. Mishti Doi is often served after meals as a dessert, and can also be eaten with meals as an accompaniment to rice or other savory dishes. It is an important part of the traditional Bengali cuisine, and is often served on special occasions such as weddings or festivals.
Mishti Doi has a unique flavor and texture due to the addition of jaggery or sugar in the curd. The sweetness of the jaggery or sugar helps to balance out the tartness of the yogurt, making it a favorite treat for many people. The addition of nuts like almonds or pistachios can also add an additional layer of flavor and texture to this traditional dessert. Mishti Doi can also be garnished with saffron strands for added flavor and color.
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Origins of Mishti Doi
Mishti Doi is a traditional Bengali dessert made from fermented milk, jaggery and other spices. It is said to have originated in the Bengal region of India, which includes present-day Bangladesh and parts of West Bengal. The origin of this delicious sweet dish dates back to the Mughal period when it was first prepared as a way to preserve milk for a longer duration.
The traditional recipe for Mishti Doi has remained pretty much unchanged over the centuries, with very few minor tweaks here and there. The basic ingredients are:
- Ful (Cow/Buffalo Milk)
- Jaggery
- Curd
- Cardamom powder
- Grated Coconut
The milk is first boiled and then left overnight to curdle. After that, jaggery is added to it to give it its characteristic sweetness. In the morning, curd is added and then it is allowed to ferment for a few hours until it turns into a thick paste-like consistency. Finally, cardamom powder and grated coconut are added for flavor. The mixture is then poured into clay pots or earthenware bowls called ‘Doi’ in Bengali language and left overnight to set into its characteristic shape.
Mishti Doi has been an integral part of Bengali cuisine since ancient times. It is still enjoyed by many people today as a dessert or a snack with tea or coffee. Over the years, various variations of this traditional sweet dish have been created such as Roshogolla Doi (a sweeter version made with roshogolla), Chocolate Mishti Doi (made with cocoa powder and dark chocolate), etc.
History of Mishti Doi
Mishti Doi, a sweet delicacy made from curd and sugar, is a traditional Bengali dessert. It has a long history and is believed to have been first created in the 16th century in Bengal, India. It was traditionally served as an offering to the gods during religious ceremonies and festivals.
The recipe for Mishti Doi has remained largely unchanged over the centuries. It consists of thickened curd that is mixed with sugar, then cooked in an earthenware pot (known as ‘bhatti’), topped with a layer of sugar syrup or jaggery and steamed until it sets. Mishti Doi can be served as a dessert on its own or as an accompaniment to other dishes.
In modern times, Mishti Doi has become popular outside of Bengal and can be found in many restaurants and street stalls across India. It is now also widely available commercially in supermarkets and online stores, often packaged in individual cups or containers.
Today, Mishti Doi remains a popular dessert across India and Bangladesh due to its unique flavour profile and versatility. It is often served at weddings, festivals and other special occasions or simply enjoyed as an everyday treat.
Mishti Doi
Mishti Doi is a traditional Bengali sweet made with curd and jaggery. It is one of the most popular desserts in Bengal. The ingredients used to make Mishti Doi are simple, yet they come together to create a unique and delicious dessert. The main ingredients are curd, jaggery, cardamom, and saffron. The curd is boiled and then cooled until it becomes thick and creamy. Jaggery is melted down and added to the curd along with cardamom powder for flavor. The mixture is then poured into clay pots or earthenware containers called doans. These containers are sealed tightly and steamed for several hours until the Mishti Doi is ready. Once cooled, the Mishti Doi can be served either cold or at room temperature with a sprinkle of saffron on top for color. Mishti Doi is a delicious treat that will delight any palate!
Ingredients Used in Making Mishti Doi
Mishti Doi is a traditional Bengali sweet which is made from curdled milk and sugar. It is a very popular dessert in the Eastern parts of India and Bangladesh. The main ingredient used for making Mishti Doi is full-cream milk, which is boiled and then curdled using either lemon juice or yogurt. Sugar is added to give it a sweet taste, as well as cardamom powder or saffron for flavour. Other ingredients like nuts, raisins, or other dry fruits can also be added to enhance the flavour and aroma of the dessert. Additionally, a pinch of baking soda can also be added to make the Mishti Doi light and fluffy. All these ingredients are combined together to make a thick paste that can be poured into earthen pots or moulds to set it. Once the Mishti Doi has set, it can be served chilled with some chopped nuts on top.

Regional Variations in Making Mishti Doi
Mishti Doi is a traditional Indian dessert, made with milk and curd. It has a sweet and tangy taste, with a creamy texture. The dish is popular in Eastern India, particularly in Bengal and Odisha. While the basic recipe remains the same, there are some regional variations to the dish that make it unique in each region.
In Bengal, Mishti Doi is made with cow’s milk and jaggery or sugar. The milk is boiled until it becomes thick and creamy, before adding curd or yogurt to it. The final product has a thick consistency and is served cold with a sprinkle of cardamom powder on top.
In Odisha, Mishti Doi is made from buffalo milk and sugar. This version has a more tangy flavor than the one from Bengal. The milk is boiled until it gets thickened, then cooled down and mixed with yogurt or curd for fermentation. After fermentation process is finished, cardamom powder and dry fruits are added for flavor enhancement.
In Assam, the dish is prepared using cow’s milk but instead of sugar or jaggery, they use coconut palm sugar called ‘gud’ for sweetness. Additionally, they add flavoring ingredients such as nutmeg powder or saffron strands to give it an extra flavor punch before serving chilled.
No matter which region you come from or which variation you prefer tasting – one thing’s for sure – Mishti Doi will always remain as one of the most popular Indian desserts!
Popularity of Mishti Doi Across India
Mishti Doi is a traditional sweet dish found across India. It is made with curd, sugar and other ingredients such as nuts, saffron and cardamom. This dessert has been a part of Indian culture for centuries and continues to be popular in many parts of the country.
Mishti Doi is popularly known in Bengal as ‘misthi doi’, in Assam as ‘totapuri doi’, in Odisha as ‘kheer’, in Gujarat as ‘mohanta’ and in Maharashtra as ‘mattha’. In West Bengal, Mishti Doi is traditionally served during festivals such as Durga Puja and Diwali. It is also popular among Bengalis living outside West Bengal, especially in the diaspora communities of the United States and the United Kingdom.
In Assam, Mishti Doi is prepared with locally sourced ingredients such as totapuri mangoes, milk curd and jaggery. It is served cold during summer months and hot during winter months. It is often garnished with yellow raisins or slivered almond nuts. The dish is also popular among people from other parts of India who visit Assam.
In Odisha, Mishti Doi is known as ‘Kheer’. This dish consists of cooked rice mixed with sweetened condensed milk, sugar and cardamom powder which gives it its unique flavor. It can be served either hot or cold depending on one’s preference. In Gujarat, it’s called ‘Mohanta’ and it’s usually made from boiled rice mixed with jaggery or sugar syrup along with some nuts or raisins for flavoring.
In Maharashtra too Mishti Doi has gained immense popularity over the years due to its delicious taste and ease of preparation; hence it has become a staple item during festive occasions like Diwali or Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations across the state. The dish can be easily prepared at home using readily available ingredients like curd, sugar and cardamom powder which are easily accessible from any grocery store in the area.
Overall, Mishti Doi has become very popular throughout India because of its sweet taste, ease of preparation and availability of all the necessary ingredients needed to make this dessert at home itself without having to visit any specialty store for them.
Serving Options for Mishti Doi
Mishti Doi is a traditional Bengali dessert that is both sweet and creamy. It is made from yogurt, condensed milk and sugar, and often served with a sprinkle of chopped nuts such as pistachios or almonds. Mishti Doi can be served in various ways, depending on the occasion and the person’s preference.
One of the most popular ways to serve Mishti Doi is as a chilled dessert. It can be poured into small bowls or ramekins and left to chill in the refrigerator until it sets. Once it has set, it can be garnished with chopped nuts, cardamom powder or saffron strands. This makes for a delicious dessert that is perfect for summer days.
Mishti Doi can also be served warm as an accompaniment to Indian desserts such as gulab jamun or rasgulla. Simply heat the Mishti Doi in a pan over low heat until it’s warmed through. Serve warm with your favorite Indian dessert for a unique taste experience.
Another way to enjoy Mishti Doi is by using it as an ingredient in other dishes. For example, you can use it as a filling for crepes or pancakes, stir fry some vegetables in it and serve with chapati or naan, or use it as part of a kulfi ice cream recipe. The possibilities are endless!
No matter how you choose to serve Mishti Doi, one thing is certain – it’s sure to be a hit!

Conclusion
Mishti doi is a traditional sweet dish of Bengal, made with curd and jaggery. The origin of the dish dates back to the 17th century when it was popularized by the Mughal Empire. Over time, variations of the original recipe were developed, adding ingredients such as coconut, cardamom, and rose water. Mishti doi has become a staple dessert in Bengali households and is popularly served during festivals and celebrations. It is also served as an accompaniment to other dishes such as biryani or pulao. Mishti doi is an integral part of Bengali culture and cuisine, and its popularity continues to grow even today.
Mishti doi is made with simple ingredients that are readily available in most pantries. Preparing this sweet dish requires minimal effort but yields a delicious result that will leave everyone asking for more. Whether you’re looking for a quick dessert or a classic Bengali delicacy to serve during special occasions, mishti doi is definitely your best bet!
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