When we think of Kolkata, the first thing that comes to our mind is Sweets. Also, one of the primary reason people visits Kolkata is sweets because nowhere in the world so much research and efforts are made just to make sweets. Besides, you will find sweet shops in every corner of the city. Each sweet shop specializes in unique sweets.
The idea of Misti Hub was first proposed by the Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation (HIDCO). Besides, it is under one roof where the best sweet producers of Kolkata are selling their specialities. Also, if you want to taste the most profound sweets of West Bengal in a single shop, Misti Hub is the place for you. Located adjacent to Eco Park, Misti Hub is a store-in-store concept, where you will also get various local sweets.
Moreover, Misti Hub has been built to sell their sweets under a single roof. Each sweet shop has a cash counter, a refrigerator and storage space. Besides, there are a total number of 11 shops at Misti Hub, namely Gupta Brothers, BalaramMullick & RadharamanMullick, KC Das, Banchharam, Ganguram, Nalin Chandra Das & Sons, Mithai, Mishti Katha, Naba Krishna Guin and Hindusthan Sweets.
Apart from branded shops, there are special counters where various kinds of traditional Bengali Sweets are available. These are Krishnagore’s sarbhaja, Joynager’s Moya, shaktigarh’s lyangcha, Burdwan’s sitabhog, Behrampore’s chanabora etc.
Also, there are many numbers of sweets to try for those who love sweets. Here are my recommendations:
• Banchharam – Gokul Pithe
• Ganguram – Indrani and Malai Chop
• BalaramMullick and RadharamanMullick – Baked Rosogolla
• K.C. Das – Rosogolla or RoshoMalancho
• Gupta Brothers – Cashew Smile and Mango Sandesh
• Hindusthan Sweets – Cream Roll
• Mithai – GhondhorajLebur Doi
• Nalin Chandra Das & Sons – Malai Roll and Makha Sandesh
• Naba Krishna Guin – ChanarJillipi and Paradise Sandesh
• Mishti Katha – Doi Rosogolla and Butterscotch Rosogolla Roast
Infrastructure
As you go in, you will find an information desk, where there are write-ups available on the history of Bengal sweets. It will also remind you of early Kolkata with walls made of red bricks. Inside, there is a large skylight covered air-conditioned hall with a modern look. Besides, the shop outlets are nicely planned and built against the wall leaving plenty of space to move around the building. The Misti Hub also has a standing table and sitting areas, where guests can enjoy their favourite sweets. In addition, sufficient drinking water, washroom and parking for your vehicle are available.
History
Mishti-Hub is the initiative of the Government of West Bengal to promote the variety of sweets of West Bengal. Besides, HIDCO conceptualized the project and started construction in 2017. Mayor of Kolkata and State Urban Development minister of West Bengal, Firhad Hakim, had inaugurated it on 5th July 2018. Also, the Hub consists of shops of ten renowned sweet makers of Kolkata and also a sweet shop from every district. The district shop changes from time-to-time and allows other district shops to offer their unique sweets. Besides, every sweet shop in Misti Hub has immense experience of more than 25 years in sweet making industry.
In the biography of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the earliest records of sweets of Bengal can be found from the 15th-century. Besides, in this era, people used to make sweets with Jaggery, thickened milk, and puffed rice or Kheer.
Besides, various sweets made from Coconut are available during Makar Sankranti (Winter Solstice). During the earlier days, these sweets were only made at home and enjoyed occasionally, but today you will get them in many sweet shops throughout the year.
Trivia
• Misti Hub is the concept developed by HIDCO, West Bengal.
• Besides, Mayor of Kolkata and State Urban Development minister of West Bengal, Firhad Hakim had inaugurated the place.
• In Misti Hub, you can also taste traditional sweets as well as lots of fusion and experimental sweets.
• Besides, you can enjoy the famous Mihidana and Shitabhog of Bardhaman.
• In addition, you can taste Jalbhara, created by Moira Surya Modak in the year 1818.