Langcha
I call Langcha the ‘Amitabh Bachchan of Jamuns’ as unlike it’s round, softer North Indian cousin, the Gulab Jamun, the cylindrical Bengali Sweet Langcha stands tall and slim. The texture differs too, as it is firmer and not swimming in syrup, even though it oozes with it.
Bengali Sweets have a special place in my heart and I love almost all the ones I have tasted so far, and believe me the list is long.
The origin of the Langcha can be traced to Shaktigarh in the Bardhaman district of West Bengal. Made from Chenna, where milk is curdled and separated from the whey, and other additions this deep fried delight is a popular choice for auspicious and festive occasions, but of course I don’t wait for those to savor it.
6 and a half years of being married to a Telugu and, as yet, I can only speak a few scattered words of the language to get by with. My favorite line being ‘Telugu Maatla Chaala Kashtam’ (which roughly translates to ‘it is very difficult to talk in Telugu’) This is the line that saves me each time even as it breaks the ice and manages to make disapproving looking Aattas (Aunts) break into a smile!
Funnily enough without understanding the language completely or speaking it at all, I have managed to form a bond with so many people in our village whenever we visit. Apart from family, other relatives, family friends, neighbors to people who work for us to I communicate with them without uttering a single word of any language as they don’t have a clue about Hindi and I you are already aware of my prowess in Telugu.
Thankfully the universal language of love and care is much the same everywhere, even though spoken languages may vastly differ from people to people.
I’ve tried that sweet, and liked it a lot. 🙂 My parents take sweets when they go to the native place. I think that helps break the ice too. Over time, people (esp. the relatives) do tend to turn to ice I feel.
With Andhra people sweets won’t work, I should take spicy pickles instead!:) Agree with you on the relatives bit 🙂 Thanks for reading, Vinay:)
Never heard of Langcha, though have had cylindrical gulab jamuns. But am imagining the taste of Langcha and feel like having it.
Do you speak Punjabi? I have atrocious Punjabi but once I stay with my cousins for 3-4 days, I get a good grip of it and then I am back to tooti bhajji Punjabi 😛
We grew up speaking Hindi at home, so don’t speak punjabi but understand it fully:) Thanks for reading, Shilpa.
I’ve eaten this but honestly did not know it had another name. I just assumed it was a fancy shaped gulab jamun!
Ditto, till I found out otherwise:) thanks for reading, Doc!:)
I don’t think I’ve had this sweet but it looks so delectable! I love jamuns anyway so this is something I can easily eat
Language barriers are so easily surmounted by being nice and kind, no? 🙂
Yes, kindness works wonders. Thanks for reading, Shailaja 🙂
I always thought this was a different shaped gulab jamun! Had no idea it had a different name as well.
Thanks for reading, Sreesha 🙂
I thought they were the same! Thanks for pointing out the difference. I do prefer the langcha then
Same here:) Thanks for reading:)
As long as it tastes like Gulab jamun, I’m happy having it! Told you right, how much I like it!
Well, that’s a good way to run away from the situation, M but I’m sure you will learn it real soon!
Cheers
I have had langchas and hve loved them. Impressed how you communicate with love and no words. Honestly Telugu is tough, I know Tamil and these two are similar
Cheers
Truly Yours Roma
I never had it but gulab jamuns brother looks yummy. I like North Indian jamuns and not the stuffed ones we get here in Bangalore.
South Indian languages are not at all easy to learn. So I know what u r saying Mayuri.
For a totally sweet tooth person any form of Gulaab jamun is totally yummy…As u spoke about sweet now..i am searching something yummy in the fridge 🙂
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Oh my god! That looks heavenly. I love both the real and the Gulab jamun versions of Amitabh Bachan.
Love at first sight this time!
haha! Amitabh Bachchan of Gulab Jamuns! You got me there, Mayuri 😀 😀 I have had this one and I love it!
And oh yeah, this happened to me as well. I could understand Hind well, thanks to Bollywood music and movies. But I couldn’t converse at all. Once I wanted to tell the maid that we were out of turmeric powder. Guess what! I didn’t know how to say turmeric in Hindi. I tried showing the maid, the color yellow and she kept asking if I was indicating Dal or even Mango. God! Finally, my husband burst out laughing and said it was Haldi. Phew! 😀
I Love this sweet. It’s delicious and full of guilty pleasures .It’s wonderful you revived our memory
Divided by language, united by love 🙂
Amitabh Bachchan of Jamuns 😀 I do love gulab jamun with all my heart. So I don’t even have a speck of doubt that I will love this!