DIFFERENCE BETWEEN JANGIRI AND JELABI

Most people have heard of jalebi – this ancient Persian sweet is popular at celebrations and street corners all over India. But jangiri is a little more obscure. I thought it was a sweet special to South India, but I have come to learn that it also has a presence in North India – called imarti. Jalebi and jangiri both look like sugar-coated orange funnel cakes.

What is the difference you say? First, they are made with different flours: jalebi is made with maida (all purpose) flour and jangiri with ground urad dhal. Jalebi batter is also supposed to be left to ferment (giving it a faint tangy flavour) while jangiri is not. There is also a difference in their appearance – the swirls of jalebi are more chaotic, while jangiri resembles a more organized flower pattern.

Those with a trained palate will also notice the slight crunchiness of jalebi, distinguishing it from the chewy, gooiness of jangiri. In most sweet shops, jalebi also appears a little shinier and more on the brown side (and jangiri more orange).


I like Jelabi more than Jangiri, it will be crunchy, little sour with the syrup in the swirls, apapa