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Joynagar Moa-A very special Bengali Sweet

Joynagar Mao:- A very special Bengali Sweet

 

What is Joynagar Mao?

Joynagar Mao is a renowned traditional Bengali sweet  delicacy (laddu)  originated from the small town  namely Joynagar Majilpur under the South 24 paragans district of West Bengal, India. It is a seasonal treat mainly prepared during the winter months of November to January and is renowned for its cultural significance, unique texture & rich flavour.

This popular sweet is named after the town of Joynagar Majilpur of South 24 Paraganas of West Bengal and the word “Mao” denotes the puffed rice ball made from aromatic rice “Kanakchur rice” which is locally grown in 24 paragana of W.B

https://www.amazon.in/JOYNAGAR-Original-Premium-Joynagarer-Authentic/dp/B09NL92MR4?th=1

Basic Ingredients:-

The basic ingredients in the preparation of  this traditionally Bengali sweet are:- Puffed Rice (Kanakchur khoi) , Nolen Gur (Date palm jaggery/Bengali patli gur) , Desi ghee, poppy seed, dry fruits & cardamom.  

 

https://joynagar.com/blogs/sundarban/what-makes-joynagarer-moa-a-delicate-brand

What is Kanakchur Rice:-

Kanakchur Rice is an aromatic rice mainly grown in the region of 24 paraganas of west Bengal especially in the Joynagar region Majilpur region and nearby area like Baharu. This rice is valued for its unique fragrances, texture and it puff well. Due to this unique characteristic , it is mainly used in the preparation of very special Bengali Sweet Joynagar Mao.

https://mydukaan.io/maasharada/products/khoi?sku_id=35587075

 

What is Nolen Gur:-

Nolen Gur is a type of special jaggery prepared from the first flush of juice extracted from date palm tree. It is a winter speciality of Bengal known for its unique nutty & caramelised flavour. The sap is extracted from the date palm and then it is slow cooked untill it thickens into a dark, caramel colored syrup. The word Nolen means “New”.

The date palm has long relationship with bengal where it grows abundance. The beauty of this date palm tree is that it only produces its sap during the winter time between November till February. 

Characteristic of Joynagar Mao:-

  • It is a popped/puffed Rice ball similar to Laddoo prepared with special kind of Jaggery called Nolen Gur (Date Palm Jaggery/Patli gur), Kanakchur Khoi (Kanakchur puffed rice locally grown in and around South 24 Paragana of West Bengal), desi ghee, Nuts  & flavour with cardamon. Use of Nolen Gur give it a unique taste & texture as well as Sweetness.
  • It is shaped by hand into round soft ball similar to the motichur laddu. 
  • Texture:– Its texture is soft, delicate & mouth melting texture due to the use of Nolen Gur(Liquid laggery prepared with date palm).
  • It is mainly prepared during the winter time (November to January) due to the harvesting season of Nolen gur in this region.
  • Traditionally it is handmade by local skilled halwai of West Bengal. 
  • Popularity & GI Tagging:-Mao gets it name from where it actually originated i.e Joyanagar which is a small town or Municipality in the south 24 paraganas. Joyanagr has gained international recognition as a brand of Joynagar Mao after Govt of India has awarded the GI Tagging in the year 2015.

 

Brief history of Joyanagar Mao:-

  • This traditional Bengali sweet originated in the early 20th century i.e roughly around 1904-1910 in Joynagar, Municipality in the south 24 paraganas, West Bengal. Joynagar is situated 50 km in the south 24 paraganas of West Bengal on the bank of Adi Ganga River. The year 2004 was regarded as centennial year of Mao of joynagar.
  • The word Mao comes to people form “Mo” means Madhu or honey because sudarban of west bengal is famous for production of Honey.
  • Late Ashutosh Das, a resident of Das para of village seerpur, P.S Joynagar of 24 paraganas was the first local who started the making of puffed rice from locally grown Kanakchur Rice and used to sell during the Radha Ballav Dol festival in joynagar and slowly become famous in Bengal. He prepared puffed rice laddoo with Nolen Gur or Bengali patli gur and started selling during the Dol festivals and since then it gained fame for its unique flavour and become synonymous with the town joynagar.
  • In the year 2015, Govt of India awarded with Geographical tag to Joynagar Mao for its uniqueness and authenticity.

GI Tagging to Joynagar Mao

Joynagar Mao has been awarded the GI Tagging by Govt of India on 23rd March 2015 to the Joynagar Mao Nirmankari Society under class 30 (food stuff).  The GI Tag of Joynagar Mao again renewed for 10 years in the year 2022. The GI Tag protects the Authenticity of this sweet & its makers from unauthorised use. 

https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/food-wine/joynagars-moa-the-famous-winter-dessert-and-its-bengal-connect-9061081/

is it available in online market?:-

Yes, there are several retail company selling this unique Bengali ladoo in online mode. The price range vary from 600Rs per kg to 800 Rs per kg depending upon the brand. One can purchase through the below mentioned link:-

 

Content Reference:-

The above content has been compiled after referring various culinary website, food blog, newspaper, govt website, social media platform ,culinary books, Research Papers, Research articles, Food magazines, top culinary websites and  personal interaction with renowned chefs from various hotel brands like The Ashok Group of hotel, ITC, Oberai, Leela, Park Hotels & various IHM Faculties, Nutritionists etc. & many  more. The picture which i have used has been taken from the open source website .Some of the important website referred for the above content are:- 

Preparation video link:-

Author: chef radhe
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