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The identity of Aligarh is not limited only to locks and talim, but also resides in the sweet taste here, and the most brilliant example of the same is Khandelwal Sweets of Sikhir Mahal intersection. The Kalakand of this shop, which has made a place in the hearts of people for decades, is so soft, aromatic and of balanced sweetness that every person who eats it says – “This is the real pride of Aligarh.”
Khandelwal Sweets, located at Aligarh’s Tasveer Mahal intersection, has been an important part of Aligarh’s sweet culture for many decades. There is a crowd of customers here from morning till late night. Just by looking at the simplicity and cleanliness of the shop, it becomes clear that equal care is taken of both quality and tradition in making sweets. The best selling sweet is their Kalakand. Which the local people call the ‘pride of Aligarh’.
The biggest specialty of Kalakand here is its soft texture and mild sweetness. Along with the aroma of milk, a slight hint of ghee and the taste of cardamom makes it more special. When you keep it in your mouth, you get the feeling of sweetness slowly dissolving in every bite. The layer of finely chopped pistachios and almonds on top makes it not only tasty but also wonderful to look at.
To make Kalakand, fresh full cream milk is cooked continuously on low flame in a large pan. When the milk is reduced to half, a little lemon juice is added to it and it is curdled lightly. Then it is filtered and cooked again so that the moisture in it reduces. After this, a thick mixture is prepared by adding sugar, cardamom powder and some ghee to it. Finally, it is spread on a tray, cooled and garnished with pistachios and almonds.
The price of Kalakand of Khandelwal Sweets is Rs 520 per kg. Which is absolutely reasonable considering the quality and richness of the milk. At the shop, people buy by the kilo, but many customers stop just for ‘two pieces of Kalakand in a plate’. At the same time, during festivals and special occasions, both the packing and taste are in great demand.
Jitendra Bhardwaj, a customer who comes here, says that if you come to Aligarh and do not eat Khandelwal’s Kalakand, then you have not tasted the real taste of the city. Many old customers have been taking sweets from this shop only as gifts for their relatives and friends for years. No color, no adulteration. This is the reason why Khandelwal Sweets has won the trust of people.
Kalakand of Khandelwal Sweets is not just a sweet, but has become a symbol of the tradition and taste of Aligarh. If you ever come to Aligarh or are passing through Aligarh, then definitely stop at Sikhar Mahal intersection and taste this wonderful Kalakand. Believe me, every piece of it will add sweetness to your memories.
