Kulfi's origins, though fuzzy, are believed to trace back to the 16th century, when the treat was mentioned in the court records of Emperor Akbar.
Indian Mughal cuisine, in general, was reportedly influenced by Persian cuisine, which might explain why the name "kulfi" actually comes from the Persian word for certain cone-shaped cups called "qulfe."
As Mansoor Ahmed, the founder of Heritage Kulfi in New Jersey, told us: "Kulfi stands out among the desserts because it brings together all these delicious and decadent ingredients into a single bite."
But just as gelato is different from ice cream, kulfi also stands out from the frozen pack for its creamy and dense texture.
Traditionally, kulfi is made by simmering milk overnight in a type of wok called a kadai.
The simmering process is complete once the milk develops a rich flavor from the caramelization of the milk proteins.
This simmered milk solution is called rabri, which can be enjoyed on its own as a dessert since it forms a thick, creamy consistency.
To make kulfi, however, rabri is flavored with regional ingredients such as pistachio, saffron, cardamom, malai, and mango, then frozen into molds to form its distinctive conical shape.
The end result is a dense dessert with a thick and creamy texture and a slightly nutty taste, which may be enhanced by adding additional nuts like pistachios.