Taste
10 Bangladeshi Winter Street Foods: Taste Meets Tradition
Winters in Bangladesh bring a unique and delightful experience for food enthusiasts. The cool, crisp air sets the stage for a diverse array of delectable street foods exclusively available during this season. Blending the flavours of tradition and innovation, various winter-special street foods appear on the bustling streets of Dhaka to the serene corners of small towns. Let’s explore 10 winter street foods that tantalise the taste buds of Bangladeshis.
10 Delicious Winter Street Foods in Bangladesh
Chitoi Pitha (Bengali Rice Cake)
Chitoi Pitha, also known as Bengali Rice Cake, is a traditional delicacy of rural Bangladesh. Made from rice flour, it boasts a subtle and aromatic flavour. The history of chitoi pitha is quite old. This dish traces its origins back to ancient Bengal, with documented mentions dating back to the 6th century BC.
These spongy cakes are often enjoyed with spicy chutney and bhorta. Chitoi Pitha captures the essence of Bangladeshi tradition in every bite and represents the rich culinary heritage of the region.
Read more: 5 Tasty Savoury Winter Pitha Recipes for Bangladeshi Kitchen
Bhutta (Corn on the Cob)
Spicy Corn or bhutta is a cherished street food in Bangladesh. This delectable treat involves grilling or roasting corn on the cob and then seasoning it with a blend of spices and tangy condiments.
Bhutta's popularity in the Indian subcontinent dates back to the British colonial period when the British introduced new corn varieties and encouraged its cultivation as a food crop. This delicious snack quickly gained popularity and remains a cherished part of street food culture in India, Bangladesh, and elsewhere in South Asia. It is known for its smoky, spicy, and slightly sweet flavours.
Khejurer Rosh (Date Palm Juice)
Khejurer rosh, or date juice, is a beloved beverage in Bangladesh. It is made from the sweet nectar of date palm trees, providing a naturally refreshing taste.
Fresh date juice is collected by shaving some sections of a date palm tree, and collecting the juice in a clay pot overnight.
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Date palm juice was introduced to the Indian subcontinent by the Arabs in the Middle Ages and swiftly gained popularity.
Even today, it remains a sought-after winter drink. This drink is deeply rooted in tradition and continues to be a favourite. It offers a sweet respite to all who savour its cooling embrace.
Bhapa Pitha (Steamed Rice Cake)
Steamed rice cake is locally known as Bhapa Pitha. While the history of Bhapa Pitha lacks extensive documentation, it has roots in the Bengal region of the Indian subcontinent. References to this rice cake are traced back to the early 19th century through Bengali cookbooks.
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This classic Bengali delicacy is made from rice flour, molasses, shredded coconut, and water. This popular snack or dessert is savoured in both the rural and urban areas of Bangladesh during the winter months. Bhapa Pitha is one of the most common winter street foods available during evening to night hours.
Pakora (Fritters)
Pakora, also known as fritters, is a beloved snack enjoyed widely in various cuisines. This crispy treat hails from ancient India, with early variations mentioned in Sanskrit and Tamil Sangam literature, although the exact recipes remain elusive.
Today, pakora has transcended borders and become a popular snack and appetiser, particularly in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. It can be crafted from an array of ingredients, including vegetables, meat, and seafood. It offers a versatile and tantalising addition to culinary traditions across the region.
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1 year ago
Coronavirus: How to get your smell and taste back after COVID-19?
One of the symptoms of coronavirus infection is loss of taste and smell. Losing taste and smell at the same is quite uncomfortable. Fortunately, after recovering from being infected with the deadly virus, it takes a long time to regain smell and taste. In many cases, the taste and smell do not return even after recovery from the corona. While other symptoms have subsided, this problem persists in many. As a result, many people are losing their normal amount of hunger. Many are also emotionally broken due to this.
But how will the taste and smell return? No effective cure has yet been found for the symptoms. But there are some domestic methods and foods that can bring back the smell and taste.
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What is the reason for the loss of smell and taste in the corona?
Doctors say the smell and taste can be reduced not only by coronavirus but also by other respiratory infections. That feeling may return slowly after the infection has healed. But, after recovering from corona, it may take a week in some cases, a month in others, and more in some cases to regain the sense of taste and smell.
Even if the fever or cold is not very high, this feeling of taste and smell go away within five days of being infected. In medical science, its name is 'Anosmia.'
Coronavirus can attach itself to the nervous system very quickly. The virus easily travels through the nose and attaches itself to the small nerves. Various studies have shown that the cells that keep our sense of smell active are attacked by the Covid virus. After that, the cell remains busy, preventing other infections.
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As a result, they have to move away from their main job, and sensitive information about smell does not reach the brain. That's why the recovered person cannot differentiate the taste and smell of foods or something. It has also been seen that the person gets confused with one smell with another.
According to a study published in the Journal of Internal Medicine, 95% of patients regain their sense of smell within 6 months. In most patients, the coronavirus cannot permanently damage the olfactory neural circuits. Those who have stronger immunity can get back the sense of smell and taste quickly.
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Getting your smell and taste back after Covid-19
Among all the Covid-19 symptoms, the sense of smell and taste take longer to recover. But no matter how late, the sense of smell and taste must return to normal. However, there is no 'proven' remedy for these symptoms. However, it is important to know a few food options that can help you regain your sense of taste and smell.
Garlic
Garlic has its own unique smell, and it is a powerful anti-viral. Further, it also helps in increasing immunity. Garlic may also have properties that reduce inflammation, ease breathing and help restore smell and taste more quickly. Heat 2 to 3 cloves of garlic in water and eat a little cold. Eat twice this way regularly. The olfactory cells will work properly, and the taste will return in a short time.
Lemon
Lemon contains vitamin C, and the smell of lemon is very refreshing. The good thing about the lemon is that it has the ability to fight viral bacteria. Eating lemon will be helpful for the closed nose, colds, and coughs. Corona sufferers can benefit from drinking lemon and honey in warm water every morning. However, the patients may need to eat for 2 consecutive months. Besides, the patient can also eat lemon pickles with rice or bread.
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Mint
Mint has a very nice smell, which keeps the mind and body fresh and keeps the nerves calm. It also helps to restore the taste. Drinking mint tea works on restoring both taste and smell. It works even better if the patient can drink green tea with mint.
Take Vapor
Taking vapor works great on recovering from cold or sneezing. For that, boil the water pot; when the water boils, turn off the gas and cover the head with a towel. Open your mouth, breathe well and exhale through your nose. Do this several times. All the blockages will be opened, and you will be able to breathe well. Continuous vaping will bring back the smell as soon as the cold is gone. This habit is very good even for a healthy person.
Red Chilli
Red chilli or chilli powder can be helpful in getting back your lost sense of smell. It contains powerful ingredients that can effectively 'clean' a stuffy nose. As well as activating the senses and helping to improve the effectiveness of olfactory sensations. Drinking a small amount of honey or sugar in a cup of pure water with red chilli powder more than once a day will be effective in getting back the smell.
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Drink warm water
Whenever you drink water, try to drink lukewarm water instead of cold water. But it is not advisable to drink too hot and drink a certain level of hot water that the body can tolerate. However, if you have difficulty drinking hot water, you can drink plain water. But drinking hot water at least twice a day will surely accelerate resolving the problem.
Smell training
Smell training is a process to sniff different scents every day over a period of months. This can help to enable the brain to recognize different smells. Taking smell for 20 seconds for each scent lets you concentrate on your smell training. This eventually helps you to recognize different smells, and you can smell everything correctly gradually.
Is there any medication?
Although there is no medication for this, you can contact your doctor if your smell or taste doesn't go back to normal within a few weeks. However, you may find many suggested medications on the internet. But taking the medication without the doctor's advice can be deadly sometimes.
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3 years ago