Paan is a betel leaf mouth fresher from India, Pakistan and neighboring countries. The Paanwala thelas are small roadside shops in which the Paanwalas make these paans on the spot for you. Being a Mumbaite, paan after a scrumptious meal was a must for me. I loved the meetha pan which is also known as Calcutta paan. There are varieties of paan sold at these paan shops. Maghai, Banarasi, Calcutta, Meetha, Saada and the types of paan are endless. Last year i visited Mumbai and had written an article about Street Food of Mumbai and Paan was definately on the list:)
The quintessential paan has been around for generations and so have some paanwalas with their fascinating varieties. But the one thing that is constantly evolving are the innovative ingredients that paanwalas now experiment with. It may have started with a basic Saada paan but now we have a Rasmalai paan, Chocolate paan, paan with gold, you name it and there’s a paan to suit every taste.
Almost every street corner in Mumbai is home to a popular paanwala whom the locals vouch for.I have some favorite paan shops in mumbai like Mucchad Paanwala, Sharda Paanwala, Paan at Juhu Chowpatty 🙂 Last year I had paan in Baroda which was good too.
- Paan(Betel leaves) – 1 no
- Gulkand – 1 tsp(Store brought)
- Mukhwaas – 1 tsp
- Sweetened coconut flakes – 1/2 tsp
- Cardamom powder – 1/2 tsp
- Glazed cherries – few, To garnish
- Toothpick – few, To seal
- Wash and pat dry the betel them using kitchen towel.Fold the leaf and slit the backside hard stalk of the paan leaf through out the halfway.
- At this point, you can spread little lime on the leaf. But I do not prefer to use lime in my way of meetha pan
- Now roll one edge of the pan to form the cone shape. Like wise also roll the another edge to form a proper cone to keep all the ingredients.
- Now add gulkand, mukhwas, coconut flakes and pinch of cardamom powder.
- Close it and place the glazed cherry on top of meetha pan and then insert the toothpick
- Enjoy Meetha Pan after lunch or dinner.
- Meetha paan can be stored in the refrigerator for a couple of days by simply wrapping the paan using silver foil
- Recipe from foodydelight
Me at Marine Lines, Mumbai 2013
Here is a video recipe of Paan captured at a local pan shop in Mumbai.
Love your dreamy look!
I wish we could get the similar paan in Bay area 🙂
please aap guwahati me aayite or green leaves ka pan test kijiye to pata chalega pan ka test
strwbry pan …..nd chocklty pan ..i like it!!!!!!….
Anita which Indian do u get gulkand ??
Madras groceries
I got it from Madras Groceries in sunnyvale