Nankhatai

Nankhatai is a delightful shortbread biscuit originating from the Indian subcontinent, particularly cherished in Northern India and Pakistan. The name "Nankhatai" is derived from the Persian words "Naan" meaning bread, and "Khatai" which means biscuit in Dari Persian. In regions such as Afghanistan and Northeast Iran, you might find similar confections called Kulcha-e-Khataye, where "Kulcha" refers to a type of bread akin to Naan.

The origins of Nankhatai date back to the 16th century in Surat, a bustling trade hub at the time. It all began when a Dutch couple established a bakery to cater to the local Dutch community. When the Dutch eventually departed from India, they handed over the bakery to an Iranian proprietor. Initially, the Iranian baker faced difficulties as his biscuits did not align with local tastes. To address this, he began selling dried bread at low prices, which quickly gained popularity. Building on this success, he experimented further and eventually developed the recipe for Nankhatai.

The key ingredients for making Nankhatai include refined flour, chickpea flour, and semolina. These biscuits have since become a beloved snack, adored for their rich, crumbly texture and delightful flavor.