Sweets

A fondness for sweets (mithai) is common throughout India. Unlike in the west there is no distinction between sweets and desserts. Both are sold at sweet shops and neither is commonly eaten at the end of a meal. Instead, mithai represent a form of greeting, are used as religious offerings and are symbouc of hospitality.

Mithai vary regionally and common sweets such as barfi and laddu are available everywhere. Many places have a sweet speciality. In areas such as Bengal, the sweet capital of India, towns and small villages have their own particular varieties.