Meet The Man Who Introduced South India's Special Mysore Pak, A Delightful Sweet From The Bygone Era

Mysore Pak- the sweet Indian dessert is renowned for its distinctive texture and intense flavour. The golden-brown hue of Mysore pak is gradually prepared by caramelising the ghee and sugar which also creates a melt-in-mouth profile. The indulgent flavour of this dessert has not only gained popularity across south Indian states but also made its way to festivals and celebrations.

Where It All Began Originating in the Mysore region of Karnataka, this golden-coloured ghee-soaked dish is believed to be an accidental dish. The history of Mysore Pak dates back to centuries ago. Discovered by ‘Kakasura Madappa’, the head chef of King Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV who was renowned for preparing exquisite sweets. To impress the king, the head chef tried his hands to prepare sweets for the royal family.Also Read: The chef prepared a concoction of besan, ghee, cardamom powder and sugar and presented it to the majesty. The dish was unnamed but soon after this lip-smacking sweet dish touched the king’s palate, the enamoured king named the sweet dish after his most loved region ‘Mysore’. The term translates Pak as ‘sweet’ in Kannada, thus the delicacy got its name. Legend says the delicacy was prepared by the head chef in order to impress the expected guests of King Wadiyar between 1894 and 1940. Madappa prepared this ‘accidental’ dish and blurted out ‘Mysore Pak’ as its name.

The impressed king also instructed Kakasura to set up a sweet stall right outside the palace so that people could taste the essence of this magical sweet dish. The king wanted this sweet to be also available in the sweet shops. History suggests that the idea of opening a sweet stall for the head chef also aroused interest in people to set up sweet stalls.Also Read: Guru Sweets in Mysore is said to be one of the oldest sweet shops in the city which is believed to be owned by the ancestors of the head chef Kakasura Madappa. The sweet shop highlights this iconic dish from the bygone era and also carries the legacy of Mysore. Mysore Pak is not just any ordinary sweet but is believed to be an integral part of South Indian culture. Considered one of the most relished dishes during the time of festivals, events, weddings and more, many households prepare this delicious delicacy on special occasions. Offered as prasad in many temples, this ghee-soaked delicacy is sure to please every palate.

Mysore Pak is just not limited to the authentic age-old variation; the sweet delicacy has evolved over the years with regions adding their own twists and variations to the recipe. Some prominent variations include chocolate Mysore Pak, dry fruit Mysore Pak, milk Mysore Pak, crispy Mysore Pak and more.Also Read: Although people are still sceptical about incorporating sweets or desserts into their ‘healthy’ food routines, but to your surprise, Mysore Pak is said to be a great source of protein and fibre because of one of the main ingredients- besan. While you must be thinking about the dish being high in calories, the usage of ghee improves immunity and promotes overall holistic health when consumed in moderation.