The sweet makers of Sherpur are overjoyed as their century-old traditional dessert, locally known as "Chhanar Payesh", has been officially recognised as a Geographical Indication (GI) product.

The announcement was made on December 5 by the Director General of the Department of Patents, Industrial Designs, and Trademarks under the Ministry of Industry. This recognition marks "Chhanar Payesh" as the 44th GI product in Bangladesh.

"We are delighted over this achievement," said Bappi Dey, proprietor of Anuradha Mistanna Bhandar in Sherpur. Hakim Babul, a local journalist, added, "It is a glorious milestone for Sherpur's renowned sweetmeats, which will now gain nationwide recognition."

Photo: Collected

Known for its rich history and unique preparation, Chhanar Payesh has long been a staple of Sherpur's culinary heritage. During the British era, sweetmeat makers in Ghosh Patti, Sherpur town, began crafting this dessert, which gained popularity even in Kolkata. It was a favored gift among zamindars and affluent families, often shared on special occasions.

Over the years, the popularity of this dessert has only grown. Today, "Chhanar Payesh" is widely used in social and religious events such as weddings, Eid, Puja, and other celebrations. At least 50 sweet shops in Sherpur now produce the dessert to meet the growing demand. According to Shiba Prasad Ghosh, proprietor of Charu Sweets, these shops sell approximately 400 kilogrammes daily.

The dessert is crafted from simple ingredients: milk, sugar, flour, and cardamom. The process involves thickening milk into latex, producing chhana (cheese curds), and mixing it with flour to form small balls. These balls are then soaked in sugar syrup and cooked in the latex over low heat, creating the dessert's distinctive flavor and texture. To make one kilogramme of "Chhanar Payesh", two kilogrammes of milk, half a kilogramme of sugar, and small amounts of flour and cardamom are required.

Local vendors, including Nanda Gopal Mistanna Bhandar and Charu Sweets, report an increasing demand for the dessert, with prices ranging between Tk 380 and Tk 400 per kilogram. The dessert is also available in other upazilas of Sherpur, such as Jhenaigati, Sribordi, Nakla, and Nalitabari.

Deputy Commissioner Torofdar Mahmudur Rahman said the GI recognition would encourage more people to engage in the production and marketing of "Chhanar Payesh".

In addition to "Chhanar Payesh", Sherpur's aromatic rice variety, "Tulsi Mala", has also received GI status, further boosting the district's reputation for unique and high-quality products.