As we approach the warm summer months, many people start craving cold treats that are light and sweet. Ice cream is a common choice for a summer treat, but traditional Indian kulfi is often even more refreshing. Kulfi is time-consuming and messy to make at home for your friends and family, but if you live near or are visiting downtown Denver, Colorado, you can stop by Little India of Denver to enjoy this delicious summer treat without having to prepare it yourself.
What Is Kulfi?
Kulfi is a traditional Indian dessert that resembles ice cream. It is thick and creamy with a dense consistency and a satisfying crunch, making it a refreshing treat for the summer. Traditionally, this dessert is made by boiling milk on low heat for a long time until the liquid becomes dense and creamy. The milk is then infused with spices and other ingredients such as pistachios and mango puree. Although this mixture was traditionally placed in small earthen pots called “matki,” it now usually uses plastic or metal molds to determine its shape. The molds are placed in a freezer with salt and ice so the mixture can chill until it is ready to be eaten.
Unlike Western ice cream, kulfi is rarely served in a scoop. Its dense consistency and lack of ice crystals mean it doesn’t melt as quickly as regular ice cream, so kulfi is usually served in a cone shape either on an ice cream stick or a plate. If you choose to eat it on a stick, it is similar to a popsicle or an ice cream bar.
Historically, kulfi is part of the rich Indian culture. The name comes from the Persian word for a covered cup because kulfi is most often frozen and served in a cone shape. The dessert originated in the 16th century in India, and while it has become a popular dish in Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, it is also served in Indian restaurants around the world. There is a flavor to suit every palate, and kulfi can be easily customized, so it is a great dessert for large families or special events.
The unique taste of kulfi comes from the way the milk is reduced and infused with flavorful spices. The multi-step preparation causes a dense consistency that has no water content, so it doesn’t form ice crystals in the freezer. This composition keeps kulfi from melting quickly and allows it to hold its traditional cone shape for longer periods of time than regular ice cream. Because it is characterized by crunchy ingredients, kulfi is often thought of as the perfect balance between sweet and savory desserts.
It is also a great dessert choice because while you can find many delicious flavors at Little India of Denver, you can also make kulfi easily at home with ingredients that are fairly common. Make it ahead of time for a party, or keep some in the freezer for a sweet treat when a craving hits.
How Can You Make Kulfi at Home?
You can make kulfi at home, but it is a time-consuming process that involves several steps and takes multiple days. Creating the base liquid, adding in extra ingredients, and shaping the treats is messy and takes a lot of time, so although it can be done, it is much easier to order the kulfi you want from Little India of Denver. The benefits of ordering the dessert instead of making it yourself include those listed below.
- Less time-consuming: If you want to make kulfi at home, you need to plan for at least two days before enjoying the treat. By ordering the dessert instead, you can enjoy kulfi almost instantly. There is no planning involved, and you can order as much as you need for your entire family to enjoy without running out.
- Less mess: Because making kulfi requires so many steps, it will leave you with a messy kitchen and multiple dirty dishes. Instead of creating more work for yourself, let Little India of Denver take care of the dirty work and deliver fully-formed kulfi with zero mess. Instead of spending your valuable time cleaning your kitchen, you can be enjoying your favorite dessert with friends and family members.
- Less expensive: One of the biggest advantages of kulfi is that it can be customized in any way. However, this can be a problem if you’re trying to make it on your own because you’ll need to buy a lot of ingredients if you want to make different types of kulfi. While cardamom and saffron are commonly used to flavor the base liquid of kulfi, you can use a wide variety of other spices. Some people like using pistachios to add some crunch to kulfi, while others prefer to use breadcrumbs or cornstarch. Some people don’t even enjoy savory kulfi and prefer to flavor the treat with mango puree. Buying all of these ingredients to cater to different tastes is expensive and time-consuming, but if you order the treat from Little India of Denver, you can find a flavor for everyone in your family without having to buy a bunch of ingredients you won’t use again.
- More choices: Ordering kulfi from Little India of Denver is usually a better idea than making it yourself. We carry a wide variety of kulfi flavors, so you can sample different ones to find your new favorite.
What Are the Flavors of Kulfi?
Just like regular ice cream, there are many possible flavor combinations for kulfi. Whether you prefer a sweet or savory treat, kulfi is the perfect dish because it is easily customizable to suit your tastes. This is why kulfi is such a wonderful dessert for families; everyone can find a flavor they love with minimal hassle. Some common kulfi flavors include rose, saffron, mango, cardamom, and pistachio.
Kulfi is a light, refreshing treat that is perfect for a hot day. When you choose to order from one of our three Little India of Denver locations, kulfi may become your favorite summer treat. We make it easy for you to sample a variety of kulfi flavors with two locations in downtown Denver, one on South Downing Street, 6th Avenue, and our new location on 32nd Avenue. Wherever you live in Denver, you can easily access one of our restaurants to find a variety of delicious kulfi flavors.
Our dining room is open if you want to enjoy kulfi in a traditional Indian atmosphere. Stop in and sample all of the flavors we have to offer. We also fill orders for takeout, so place an order today for all of our flavors so the entire family can enjoy kulfi at home. If you join our loyalty program, you can earn points towards free kulfi with every purchase you make. However you prefer to order, we are ready to help you find your new favorite summer treat. Contact us today to place an order.
Featured Image: 52 Grapes/Shutterstock
