If you thought the season for tilkut is over after makar sankranti, think again because the sweetmeat has found a permanent place in shops across the capital.

The traditional tilkut has undergone a metamorphosis and is available in flavoured varieties. But don?t worry. The good old traditional tilkut has not been done away with.

The Rajasthani gajaks and revdis are topping the sweettooth charts. Tilkut, which are a must have on makar sankranti, along with curd and chuda (puffed rice), can be served as desert or can be eaten as a snack. While the city boasts of some old shops, known for their delicious tilkuts, sweetmeat makers from Gaya have made quite a name for themselves in the city. The tilkut bazar in Upper Bazar does brisk business during makar sankranti.

While beaten tilkut is cost Rs 40 to Rs 80 per kg, the revdis and gajaks are relatively cheaper. A small packet of revdi is available for Rs 45, while the flavoured varieties sare between Rs 50 and Rs 80 per kg. Tilkut with jaggery flavour are available for Rs 60 per kg.

The tilkut-making process is lengthy. But given the end result, it is worth the effort. Vasudev Verma, a sweetmeat maker, said the taste of tilkut depends primarily on the quantity and quality of the til used.

Explaining the process, he said the til is fried in an earthen pot and has to be stirred regularly or else it will have a burnt taste which will spoil the flavour of the sweet. Verma further said that making tilkut is a tedious process. After the til has been properly fried, it is kept aside to cool and a sugar syrup is prepared.

?The exact viscosity of the syrup is very difficult to maintain and only after years of experience can a person make the right measurements,? Verma added.

?Tilkuts are a weakness for me. Every year begins with this special sweet which is a delicacy in our family. Making tilkut is not an easy task. It is difficult preparing this sweet at home. One has to rely on the sweetmeat makers. I am particularly fond of gajaks,? said Manohar, a resident of Upper Bazar.

Roma Patel, another resident of the capital city, said: ?The best thing about this sweet is that it is healthy. Til is good for health. So, it is a nutritious sweet. Thankfully, tilkut is now available throughout the year. When we were kids we waited for an entire year to eat the sweet. Now the fridge is always stocked with tilkut.?

Worth the price

Sugar tilkut ? Rs 40 to Rs 80 per kg

Jaggery tilkut ? Rs 60 to Rs 80 per kg

Revdis and Gajak ? Rs 40 to Rs 60 per kg

Hot Zones

The sweetmeat is available at shops at Gandhi Chowk, Mahavir Chowk, Kutchery More, Kokar and Main Road.