Shemai (Bengali: সেমাই) is a traditional dessert item in Bangladesh and West Bengal, India. Shemai is a popular item during Eid, but it is consumed throughout the year..[1] Shemai is a dessert form of vermicelli, soaked in sweet milk and often garnished with nuts.[2]
 Shemai | |
| Alternative names | সেমাই |
|---|---|
| Type | dessert |
| Place of origin | Bangladesh |
| Region or state | Bengal, South Asia |
| Associated cuisine | Bangladesh, India |
| Main ingredients | Vermicelli, milk, cashew nuts, cardamom, Ghee |
| Variations | Milk Shemai, Dry Shemai |
Ingredients edit
The staple ingredients of shemai are milk, ghee, sugar, roasted vermicelli, and various assortments of nuts and spices.[3][4] Shemai variations include a kheer version, dry fruits, and jodda shemai.[5]
History edit
Shemai originated from Bengal.[6] Ice Today described shemai as a distant cousin of sheer khurma, an Afghani dessert.[7] Some recipes used powdered milk and/or condense milk.[8][9]
There has been some questions over the hygiene of factories producing shemai.[10][11] In June 2016, substandard shemai, produced in unauthorized factories, flooded the market in Saidpur, Bangladesh.[12] Next year there was widespread adultered shemai in Chittagong.[13] Sales of packaged shemai fell during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh. The prices also rose as many of the factories stopped production due to the pandemic.[14]
References edit
- ^ "Shemai all year round". Dhaka Tribune. 8 June 2019. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
- ^ "Variations on Vermicelli". The Daily Star. 5 July 2016. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
- ^ "Snackilicious Eid". The Daily Star. 22 July 2014. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
- ^ "Best Of Bengali- Shemai (Sweet Vermicelli Pudding)". golden tiffin. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
- ^ "সেমাইয়ের ৩ পদ". Bangla Tribune (in Bengali). banglatribune.com. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
- ^ Majid, Hurmat. "Traditional sweetmeats from around the world". Pakistan Tribune. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
- ^ Aziz, Irfan (3 June 2019). "Desserts of the World". ICE Today. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
- ^ "Colorful Dudh Shemai/ Vermicelli and Steamed Vermicelli/ Shemai Pudding". Khadiza's Kitchen. 1 October 2014. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
- ^ "Vermicelli in Sweet Custard". Global Table Adventure. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
- ^ "সেমাই খাবেন?". Kalerkantho (in Bengali). কালের কণ্ঠ. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
- ^ Asad, Kazi Akib Bin (5 July 2016). "Variations on Vermicelli". The Daily Star. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
- ^ "Adulterated lassa flooded Syedpur". Daily Sun. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
- ^ Shyamol, Nazimuddin. "Chittagong markets flooded by adulterated foods". The Asian Age. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
- ^ "Covid-19: Demand for vermicelli falls ahead of Eid". Dhaka Tribune. 18 May 2020. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
 | This Bangladeshi cuisine–related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
 | This confectionery-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |