Shemai

Shemai (Bengali: সেমাই) is a traditional dessert item in Bangladesh and West Bengal, India. It is a popular dessert shared among South Asian social gatherings.[1][2] While widely popular during Bengali celebration of Eid Al Fitr,[3] it is consumed throughout the year.[4] Shemai is sweet dessert form of Vermicelli.[5]

Shemai
Shemai
Alternative namesসেমাই
Typedesert
Place of originBangladesh
Region or stateBengal, South Asia
Associated cuisineBangladesh, India
Main ingredientsVermicelli, milk, cashew nuts, cardamom, Ghee
VariationsMilk Shemai, Dry Shemai

Ingredients

The staple ingredients of shemai are milk, ghee, sugar, roasted vermicelli, and various assortments of nuts and spices.[6][7] Shemai variations include a kheer version, dry fruits, and jodda shemai.[8]

History
Closeup of Shemai, a traditional dessert in Bengal.

Shemai originated from Bengal.[9] Ice Today described shemai as a distant cousin of Sheer khurma, an Afghani dessert.[10] Some recipes used powdered milk and/or condense milk.[11][12]

There has been some questions over the hygiene of factories producing shemai.[13][14] In June 2016, substandard shemai, produced in unauthorized factories, flooded the market in Saidpur, Bangladesh.[15] Next year there was widespread adultered shemai in Chittagong.[16] Sales of packaged shemai fell during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh. The prices also rose as many of the factories stopped production due to the pandemic.[17]

References
  1. "Sweets: A must have on Eid". archive.thedailystar.net. The Daily Star. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  2. "Selina Hossain's fond memories of Eid". The Daily Star. 9 September 2010. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  3. https://www.haleemeats.com/shemai-quick-and-easy-vermicelli-and-milk-dessert/
  4. "Shemai all year round". Dhaka Tribune. 8 June 2019. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  5. "Variations on Vermicelli". The Daily Star. 5 July 2016. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  6. "Snackilicious Eid". The Daily Star. 22 July 2014. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  7. "Best Of Bengali- Shemai (Sweet Vermicelli Pudding)". golden tiffin. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  8. "সেমাইয়ের ৩ পদ". Bangla Tribune (in Bengali). banglatribune.com. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  9. Majid, Hurmat. "Traditional sweetmeats from around the world". Pakistan Tribune. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  10. Aziz, Irfan (3 June 2019). "Desserts of the World". ICE Today. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  11. "Colorful Dudh Shemai/ Vermicelli and Steamed Vermicelli/ Shemai Pudding". Khadiza's Kitchen. 1 October 2014. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  12. "Vermicelli in Sweet Custard". Global Table Adventure. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  13. "সেমাই খাবেন?". Kalerkantho (in Bengali). কালের কণ্ঠ. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  14. Asad, Kazi Akib Bin (5 July 2016). "Variations on Vermicelli". The Daily Star. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  15. "Adulterated lassa flooded Syedpur". Daily Sun. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  16. Shyamol, Nazimuddin. "Chittagong markets flooded by adulterated foods". The Asian Age. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  17. "Covid-19: Demand for vermicelli falls ahead of Eid". Dhaka Tribune. 18 May 2020. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
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