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Local food map
Agra (India)
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Dessert
Vegan
Food Flavour DNA
Nutritional Values
450kcal
1gProtein
112gCarbs
—Fat
2gFibre
350 gServing
* Per serving · 350 g. May vary.
Petha
How to order / say it
Say it
पेठा — [pay-tha]
Order
I'd like the petha, please.
Locally
पेठा देना, कृपया।
Say locally
A translucent, soft candy made from ash gourd.
Why try it?
Petha is a signature sweet of Agra, reflecting the city's Mughal influence and rich tradition of desserts. It's a must-try to experience the local craftsmanship in sugar confectionery.
How it tastes
Petha has a soft and chewy texture with a mild sweetness that pairs beautifully with the subtle flavors of cardamom or saffron used in different variations.
Origin & History — first documented: 1650
Petha is believed to have originated in the kitchens of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, sometime in the 17th century. Created to complement the emperor's lavish feasts, it soon became a staple sweet of Agra.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 🥕 500 g ash gourd
- 🍯 300 g sugar
- 500 ml water
- 🧂 5 pods cardamom
- 🧂 0.5 g saffron
Method
- 1 Peel and chop the ash gourd into cubes.
- 2 Boil the cubes until translucent, then drain.
- 3 Prepare sugar syrup with cardamom and saffron.
- 4 Simmer the ash gourd cubes in syrup until fully absorbed.
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