What is Petha?

Petha sweet is made from Benincasa Hispida which is commonly known as white gourd or ash Pre-gourd or winter gourd. Petha is a sweet dish supposed to originate from Taj Mahal city Agra nearly 90 years ago. With the passage of time Agra Petha has attained universal fame. This is soft candy like sweet dish which is mostly dry or at times dipped in sugar syrup. The main ingredients of Petha are Ash gourd and sugar syrup called chasni. The pieces of this sweet are rectangular or cylindrical in shape Agra Petha is very different to other kind of sweets as it has crispy and juicy flavor and can stored at home in the refrigerator for weeks.

 How Petha is Made?

Petha sweet is made from Ash gourd or bitter gourd which is also known in English as winter melon or white pumpkin. This fruit in Hindi is called Kumehra, Making Petha is a tedious job and requires much labour. First of all the Ash gourd fruit is peeled and the seeds and fibrous parts are removed and it is cut in to large slices. Later it is pricked well and slaked is applied to pieces. Later they are washed and this process is again repeated with the lime to take the bitterness out. After proper washing the large pieces are cut in to small size and they are squeezed to remove the lime. Now these pieces are put in boiling water and cooked to gain softness. Now the sugar syrup is made while the pan is put on low heat. Thus the sugar is dissolved. Later the cooked Ash gourd pieces are applied with sugar syrup. And same additions like rose water are mixed. Later it is put to cool down. Thus Petha becomes ready to savour. Nowadays many versions of original petha are also being made, The slices of petha are interlaced with milk fat and applied with many assorted flavours, sandwich petha ,laddu petha, gulkand petha, Paan petha . Book Maharaja Express

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Famous Agra Petha shops

Agra city is world renowned for Taj Mahal and other world heritage sites. It is also famed for shopping of Petha and leather goods. Walking up to Agra famous Petha stores and tasting the flavors is a quite awesome experience. Following are some top Petha stores in Agra-

 Panchi Petha, Bhagwan Cinema

If you are on NH2 you can stop close to Bhagwan cinema on the opposite site at Panchi Petha store. You can shop Pethaof different kinds such as Angoori Petha, Paan Petha, Kesar Petha, Kancha Petha and Pan Petha etc. This is the most famous Petha shop in Agra. Besides Petha you can shop special Namkeen and Rajbhog mix over here.

 Panchi Petha, Sadar Bazar

There is another Panchhhi Petha store in Sadar Bazaar which you can try during your Taj Mahal tour. Similar to the above mentioned store you can buy Petha and Dalmoth of various kinds. You must try chocolate Petha, Gulkand Petha, Gilori Petha etc.

Munnalal Petha Wala

This Petha store is located in the narrow alley of Agra, so you have to leave the car a little far and walk to the place. Otherwise you can hire a Tuk Tuk to reach there. This Petha shop is very famous for orange Petha.

 Gopaldas Petha Wala

Another famous name in Agra Petha stores is Gopaldas Petha wala. They have a large variety of Petha such as sandwich Petha, Paan Petha, Kesar Petha etc.

 What else to buy in Agra besides Petha?

If you plan Agra tours and you are passionate about shopping Agra can give you plenty of opportunities to buy souvenir stuffs and eatables in handicrafts you can buy marble items, rugs, Pashmina, brassware and Zardozi items. You also have good option to buy leather goods in Agra such as shoes, leather jackets etc.

As a shopaholic you also have various options to buy such Agra dishes which can easily be stored for long time and Namkeen and Dalmoth are worth mentioning.

The word Namkeen is supposed to be derived from Namak or salt.

Namkeen is a small savory snack made for Chidwa, Dal Sev and spices. It has various variants such as Aloo Bhujia, Namkeen, Mixture Namkeen, Roasted Namkeen etc. Ganga Bishen Agarwal commonly known as Haldiram is supposed to popularize Namkeen where he started a ship in Bikaneri in 29^th century which has emerged as Haldiram group.

Agra Dalmoth is a savory snack which is spicy as well as crispy. It is made up of gram flour, Chili, turmeric power and Masoor Dal. It is very popular munching snack in Agra. You can buy it and store it for couple of days.

The post Agra Petha History, Recipe and Famous Stores appeared first on Taj With Guide Blog.

In this blog we mention the list of famous sweet shops of which are famous for its special sweets everywhere in India.

Deviram Sweet

Deviram sweets are one of the famous sweet shops in Agra located at Pratap Pura crossing near GPO Agra. Deviram sweets are one of the very old sweet shops of Agra and the first choice for locals and tourist during their Agra stay  Earlier they are famous for sweets like Bundi ke Laddu, Rabri, Ras malai etc but in present they are mostly known for its breakfast in which they serve Bedai (A hollow puri filled with lentils or mess potatoes) and jalebi. Sometimes you have to wait in the morning hours to have this delicious breakfast and sweets.

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• Bhagat Halwai

This famous sweet shop is located near Anjana cinema M. G road which is the busiest road of Agra. This place is close to big shopping centers, colleges and theatres so the crowd you may find every time over here. The sweets which are famous here is white spounge, Raj Bhog and Kaju Katli (Sweets made by cashew). You will also get the facility of packing and delivering it at any point of the city. If you are in Agra you will grab the opportunity to enjoy the delicacies.

Brijwasi Sweets – Agra famous sweet shops

The Agra city is also known as the Brij sector as this city is close to Mathura which is the birth place of Lord Krishna. The oldest shop of Brijwasi you will find at shopping Arcade Sadar Bazar which is famous for shopping and eateries for localities and tourists. Brijwasi sweets is the best place to enjoy the sweets and snack on reasonable price and due to its location its always busy. They are also serving south Indian snacks like Dosa, idli, rawa etc. Book Maharaja Express

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• Brij Bhog

Brij Bhog sweets is not the oldest name in the history of Agra sweet shops but in present it gives tough competition to the famous and oldest sweet shops with its new varieties and mouth watering sweets. This is located in the narrow street of Moti katra which was also famous as the residential street of expert cooks (Halwais). If you will get a chance to visit this shops enjoy the earthen pot milk mixed with dry fruits and in summers you will enjoy Mango Barfi which gives you the taste of sweet and ice cream together.

Dauji Sweets – Agra Famous sweet shops

Dauji sweets are one of the oldest shop in Agra which is famous for its delicious sweet recopies. These shops are close to the bus stops and and bye pass roads so the footfall of the tourist is from morning to evening. The oldest shops are at Bhagwan talkies crossing and at Nunhai. They are using the old methods of preparation of sweets so most of the products they made with the use of pure milk. You can also order here for bulk quantities as they have big stores as well.

• Gopal Das Pethe Wale

Gopal Das is famous for its Indian traditional sweets earlier they only made the famous sweet of Agra Petha and the snack Dal Moth but in present they are famous for the iconic gift packs and delicious varieties of India sweets. They have also open recently some big food outlets on the main fatehabad road Agra which is always busy with foreigner tourists and an eye catcher for everyone. They serve here snacks here along with sweets like Dahi Bhalla, Chole Bhature and Pani Puri.

• GMB Sweets

GMB sweets are also known as Gopika Misthan Bhandar which is new in Agra and opening several outlets in Agra on best locations. These sweets shops are famous for their varieties and creativity. These sweet shops take this art to a new concept where they can introduce different varities with the same materials. In most of the sweets they are using a pinch of dry fruits which is quite unique for everyone. You will find one of the big stores near on the Fatehabad road and they also open recently a Thali restaurant by the name of Gopika Thaal.

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• Shanti Sweets

Shanti sweets are located in the posh area of Agra called Kamla nagar. This place ‘ Kamla Nagar’ is famous as the residential of high societies and rich families of Agra and Shanti sweets is the one and only stop for all of them to quench the thrust of their throat. This is the best ahygeinic place to enjoy sweets and snacks and specially the morning breakfast they served like Kachauri, jalebi with a glass of Lassi is super and looks like a complete diet for all the day.

• Bikanerwala

Bikanerwala is the new concept and a kind of one stop for family to enjoy the quality time. Bikanerwala is not only famous for its sweets but also for its large variety of snacks and meals. These big stores will give you a feeling of a modern city where lots of people come together and enjoy their choice of foods. The first outlet of Bikanerwala was open near Bhagwan talkies crossing and recently they also open a big store at Fatehabad road which is also known as the VIP road to the Taj Mahal.

Panchhi Petha – Agra Famous sweet shops

Pancchi petha is the first name in the history if Agra sweets, The Agra city is famous for Taj Mahal and its sweet Petha which is lovable for all over the india. They have many outlets in the Agra city at present but the oldest one are in Sadar Bazar and at Rawli crossing. There are so many fake shops also you will find by the name of Panchhi petha but if you want to get the best quality you have to find the real one. They are serving petha in different varities like simple petha, kesar petha, angoori petha, pan petha etc. If you are in Agra at least onec ypu should buy this special sweet which you not find anywhere else in India.

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