Smriti Irani indulges in authentic Bengali sweets: 8 traditional sweets of Bengal you need to try during summer

Indian politician and television actor Smriti Irani is known for her healthy food choices. In one of her interviews, she talked about the alkaline vegetable juice that is a must-have for women. On her recent trip to Bengal, she enjoyed authentic Bengali sweets. She shared a glimpse of it on her official Instagram handle with a playful note highlighting her giving in to her craving. "When the mishti calls you...literally and loudly...Khene," she wrote alongside a picture of a tray full of authentic Bengali sweets. At the centre of the tray were small baked desserts that resembled Mishti Doi or Baked Rasuglla. The tray also included coconut-based laddoos and Kaju Barfi. For the uninitiated, Bengali is known for its wide range of mildly sweet desserts made with fresh and seasonal ingredients. Take a look at some of the traditional sweets of Bengal you need to try during summer.

It is a refreshing summer delight and a variation of traditional kheer made with fresh chhena instead of rice. It is light, creamy and mildly sweet, often flavored with cardamom for a soothing finish.

As the name suggests, it is a sweet made with mangoes, where the ripe mango pulp is seamlessly combined with fresh chhena and sugar, resulting in a soft, smooth, and slightly grainy delight.

This is a lesser-known Bengali sweet, which consists of a soft rasgulla-like center coated with a layer of khoya. It might sound very rich, but the inner softness and mild sweetness make it surprisingly enjoyable even in summer; it is a flavour bomb.

It is a classic Bengali sweet that combines the richness of dumpling and the freshness of mangoes. It is made with rice flour dough and filled with coconut, jaggery, and mango pulp. (Image: Instagram/furit_dekoret_)

Chhanar murki is a dry sweet made with small cubes of chhena lightly coated in sugar syrup. It is easy-to-make and less messy, making it a convenient snack during warm days when heavy sweets can feel too indulgent.

It is the simplest yet most indulgent dessert, where thick curd is mixed with condensed milk or sugar, seasoned with cardamom and then steamed or baked, making it the perfect summer treat. (Image: Instagram/kitchen_biite )