Falooda

History

The foundation of falooda goes back to Iran (Persia), where a similar dessert, faloodeh, was popular. The dessert came to Medieval India with the many Muslim merchants and dynasties that settled in the Indian subcontinent in the 16th to 18th century. The present form of falooda was developed in the Mughal Empire and spread with its conquests. Muslim rulers who succeeded from the Mughals patronized the dessert with their own adaptations, specifically in Hyderabad Deccan and the Carnatic areas of present-day India. This dessert is now a major part of Pakistani and Bangladeshi culture, specially served on Islamic holidays, weddings and other occasions. It is also a well known part of Sri Lankan modern culture.

Metaphorical references

In idiomatic Hindustani, falooda is sometimes used as a reference to something that has been shredded, which is an allusion to the vermicelli noodles. For example, someone who falls into disrepute might say that his or her izzat (honour) has been turned to falooda (इज़्ज़त का फ़लूदा, عزت کا فالودہ, izzat ka falooda), which is roughly equivalent to saying "my reputation is shot."

Variants

• Some Indian versions consist of kulfi, translucent wheat-starch noodles, and flavoured syrup.
• In Myanmar, phaluda (ဖာလူဒါ) is made with basil seeds, grass jelly, egg pudding, vanilla ice cream, sweetened milk and rose syrup. More elaborate versions also incorporate sago, rice noodles, fruit jelly, and chopped fruit.
• In southern Bangladesh, falooda is made with pandan extract, pistachios, sago pearls, creamed coconut, mango, milk and vermicelli, and may even include strong black tea.
• Malaysia and Singapore have a similar drink called bandung.
• Thailand has a similar drink, nam maenglak (น้ำแมงลัก), which is made with lemon basil seeds, shredded jelly, tapioca pearls, and Job's tears mixed with sugar, water, and rose water.
• The Iraqi Kurds make a version with thicker vermicelli.
• A similar modern East Asian drink is bubble tea.
• The Mauritian version is called alouda.
• South Africa also has a variant.