On Tuesday, a number of events are being held in the capital of Odisha to ramp up the campaign for the GI tag for Chhena Poda, an unintentional dessert that originated in Odisha.
Accidental because Sudarshan Sahu, who ran a sweet shop in Nayagarh’s Dasapalla neighbourhood, overnight baked cottage cheese with cardamom and cashew seasonings in a charcoal oven. The next morning, he discovered an extremely delectable treat that gave the region’s cuisine and identity. His creation of Chhena Poda, which literally translates as “burnt cheese” with a caramelised crust, took time. He gave the cardamom-scented cottage cheesecake a distinctive aroma by baking it wrapped in sal leaves.
t earned him a great deal of reputation over time, and the then-prime minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru enjoyed the sweet dish as well.
Last year, # ChhenaPodaDibasa started trending for the first time in Odisha in honour of the sweetmeat’s creator and to help spread its popularity. And this year, the party is greater than ever. The Abhijit Mishra-composed and -choreographed Chhena Poda anthem will be unveiled at the celebration at Jaydev Bhawan, where guests will also have the chance to sample the well-known dessert in addition to being entertained by cultural programmes this evening. The event is being put on by the socio-cultural organisation Nayagarh Bikash Manch.
The Nayagarh administration has requested that all government departments observe “International Chhena Poda Day” on April 11 because it has already applied for GI status for the most popular treat in Odisha. The officials will commemorate the traditional and exquisite sweet dish by cutting a Chhena Poda cake in their separate offices.
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