What's special about kulfi?

Kulfi is a frozen dairy dessert from the Indian subcontinent. It is often described as "traditional Indian ice cream". Kulfi originated in 16th-century Delhi during the Mughal era. It is part of the national cuisines of India and Pakistan and also popular in Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and the Middle East. Kulfi is denser and creamier than regular ice cream. The density of kulfi causes it to melt more slowly than ice cream. Although Delhi has been described as the birthplace of kulfi, Australian food historian Charmaine O'Brien suggests, "...it is likely that [kulfi] originally evolved in the cooler climates of Persia or Samarkand and that the Mughals appropriated the concept and elaborated on it to create the creamy, perfumed dessert that it now is." To prepare kulfi, sweetened, flavoured milk is slow cooked. Kulfi prepared in this traditional way is called matka kulfi. The moulds are removed from the freezer 10–15 minutes before serving to allow the kulfi to melt slightly. Kulfi is also served with falooda.

Kulfi is a traditional Indian ice cream made with boiled milk, sugar, saffron, pista and cardamom. Available in many flavours, kulfi is a traditional and natural treat made and sold in the streets of India. The world ‘Kulfi’ is derived from Hindi and is said to be a synonym for the word ‘ice’. Said to be prepared in noble kitchens with ice brought directly from the Himalayas, kulfi originated in the Mughal Empire, which dominated India a few centuries ago. Unlike the known ice creams sold in shops today, kulfi is denser and thicker on account of it not being churned. Because of this, kulfi is sometimes categorised as a frozen custard instead of an ice cream. With less calories and sodium than normal ice cream, the dessert has no artificial colouring or sweetener – making it a more natural substitute. Asha’s has a delicious kulfi on our regional menu. There is no better way to end a feast than with our rich and creamy Pistachio Kesar Kulfi made with reduced milk, pistachios and saffron. Using all natural ingredients, Asha’s brings the traditional treat of India directly to your dining table.