How did Bal Mithai made in Almora village of Uttarakhand become world famous?

There are certain places, things and food items that make their city popular. Now how everyone remembers Kashmir after listening to Dal Lake. If you say Poha, then people talk about Indore. Mumbai means rain and vada pav. Similarly, talking about Uttarakhand, one remembers beautiful mountains and sweet sweets.
Yes, Bal Mithai which starts dissolving as soon as you keep it in your mouth. A chocolate fudge with no trace of chocolate in it. A sweet whose white tablets remind you of homeopathic medicines, but it is actually poppy seeds. Whenever the name of Baal Mithai is mentioned, people’s eyes get big and everyone remembers its rich and creamy texture and taste.
Now this sweet is available in many places, but the one who made it was Almora village of Uttarakhand. Even today some people know Almora as the city of Bal Mithai. But do you know who made this sweet and how it started making in Almora? Let us know in detail in this article the story of Bal Mithai becoming famous.
Where did hair sweets come from?
Many scholars believe that this sweet reached Uttarakhand from Nepal centuries ago. They say that it came to Uttarakhand from Nepal in the 7th and 8th centuries and was rebuilt in Almora. It was offered as Prasad to the Sun God. However, no one has the facts of the matter coming from Nepal.
It is believed that it became popular among the local people in the 20th century. Today there are many such shops in Almora where Bal Mithai is made, but the credit goes to Joga Lal Shah’s shop in Almora to make it famous.
How did Joga Lala Shah of Almora make sweets?
It is believed that Joga Lal Shah was the one who made it popular in Almora in the 20th century. After this, this sweet gradually gained its fame in the entire state. As far as making it is concerned, Joga Lal Shah had a small shop in the middle of the village. He was known for making sweets. The increasing craze of chocolate forced him to create something new. However, instead of cocoa beans, he tried to find an alternative.
It is believed that Joga Lal ji used to get creamy milk from a village called Falsinama and then prepare khoya by cooking it for hours on a pan (how to make khoya at home). This gave the sweet a chocolate-like colour. They first started making fudge this way. After this, sweet balls were prepared by dipping poppy seeds in sugar syrup. When the fudge was set and ready, he began selling the candy wrapped in these balls. Within no time, this sweet became popular among the people. The fifth generation of Joga Lal Shah is still engaged in making Bal Mithai in his shop.
Bal sweets reached England from Almora in Uttarakhand
When this dessert was prepared, it became very popular among the big people and Britishers during that time. People started giving it in big gifts. A favorite among the locals, this sweet slowly started establishing its foothold in England as well. It is believed that the British also liked this sweet in those days.
Many Englishmen took it by ship to England as gifts for Christmas and New Years. It is also said that this used to be the favorite sweet of the uncrowned king of Kumaon, Sir Henry Ramsay. Not only this, this sweet made in a small village at that time is now liked in other big countries like America, Germany, Australia (strange-poor names of sweets).
If you too have never enjoyed it, then definitely try it once. To eat authentic Baal Mithai, I recommend that you must visit Almora. How did you like knowing the story of Baal Mithai, do tell me by commenting. If you know any interesting story related to this, then also share. If you liked this article, then like and share it and stay connected with Harzindagi to read more such articles.