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The art of making Pheni is deeply rooted in Sambhar, a region of Jaipur, where families have been crafting this delicacy for generations. Many artisans proudly trace their lineage to forefathers who prepared Pheni for kings and emperors
The process of making Pheni is highly laborious, requiring three full days of effort. (Local18)
Rajasthan is renowned for its array of traditional sweets that are celebrated not only in India but across the globe. Among these, one of the most notable is pheni, a centuries-old delicacy cherished for its unique taste and texture. Made from fine, juicy threads, pheni offers an extraordinary flavour that has captivated taste buds for generations.
Sambhar, a region in Rajasthan’s Jaipur district, has been known for making pheni for ages.
Pheni held a special place in the royal courts of Rajasthan, earning its reputation as a favourite among kings and maharajas. It is said that this exquisite sweet was served to guests as part of the royal feast at Emperor Prithviraj Chauhan’s wedding.
The preparation of pheni is an intricate process that can only be undertaken in a specific climate. This sweet, resembling fine, thread-like strands, is famed for its delicate texture and the precision required in its crafting. Each piece of pheni weighs approximately 20 grams and is created by beating the prepared flour in multiple rounds, 216 times in sets of six, resulting in thousands of juicy threads in a single pheni.
The Craft Of Making Pheni
According to Ramchandra, who has been making pheni for years, the process of making this sweet is highly laborious, requiring three full days of effort. The entire process is done by hand. It begins early in the morning, with flour and ghee being mixed under the open sky at night. The ratio of ghee to flour is double, and the mixing process takes several hours. This mixture is then left to set for 24 hours.
On the second day, the mixture is shaped into balls, which are stretched, elongated, and twisted into garlands, forming hundreds of delicate strands. By combining six such balls, a garland of thousands of threads is created. Finally, on the third day, these prepared garlands are fried in hot ghee over a wooden stove. Once cooked, pheni can be enjoyed either plain or sweetened.
The art of making pheni is deeply rooted in Sambhar, where families have been crafting this delicacy for generations. The craft has been passed down through the ages, with many artisans proudly tracing their lineage to their forefathers who prepared pheni for kings and emperors.
- Location :
Rajasthan, India
