All about jalebi! The history and the secret behind the dessert's wild, juicy circles

Text & Illustration: Anirban Bora

What’s the secret behind its wild, juicy circles? Where does it come from? From the zoolabiya of ancient Persia to the exquisite Sindhi ghevar, the jalebi comes full circle.

After having her first bite of the beautiful jalebi, Sheena, my calorie-conscious German friend, asked me a question that immediately transported me to my childhood



Munching on the typical north Kolkatan jolkhabar (breakfast) of kulhad chai, shingara and jilipi (Bengali for jalebi), Bishubabu, our old retired schoolmaster friend, would have contributed to this discussion with a detailed recipe: