Blog Post: My top 3 treats I enjoy most during the carnival

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Food is something I can rave about and talk on and on whenever I get the chance. I personally feel that it holds more emotion than simply satisfying hunger or counting calories.

Just imagine going without food for even a day—it would feel like hell and drive us mad! There’s a saying: “Except for food, no one can say no to anything.” Well, it might sound funny, but it's true, and that’s the importance food holds in our lives.


In this Blog 1, I’m going to talk about the carnival treats I enjoy each year in my native place.

Imagine disconnecting from city life for a week, staying in a village, and soaking in the pure love of nature. Sounds amazing, right? Now imagine pairing that feeling with village-style carnival snacks and food. Though I have plenty to share, here are the top 3 treats I enjoy the most during the carnival:

1. Javvu Mittai

This stretchy, sticky, and super-sweet treat is not just a snack—it’s a memory! It's usually brought to us on a long stick, topped with a colorful little doll that claps its hands using tiny manjeeras (cymbals) when the seller pulls a string. 

Javvu Mittai has a chewy texture and a glossy nature with vibrant colors. It’s usually sold by street vendors who skillfully stretch and twist and stick it to our wrist into fun shapes like wristwatches, scorpions, frogs, fish, etc. The best part is that the old vendor would stick some on our cheeks playfully. It sticks to your teeth while eating and is made with just sugar and colors. Even after completely eating it, the color of the treat stays on the tongue, along with the memory of its taste.



2. Ice Cola

Ice Cola is the ultimate desi refresher we all craved during hot carnival afternoons. Whatever ice creams and fancy flavors may appear now, none can beat the place Ice Cola holds in our hearts.

It is served in small, transparent plastic tubes, glasses, or as popsicles made by shredding plain frozen ice bars and shaping them. The real magic lies in the topping syrup. It comes in all kinds of vibrant colors and flavors—red, blue, green, brown, rose, and more. Once the syrup touches the shredded ice, it transforms into pure divinity in your mouth.





I always asked for a refill, because once the color was licked off, the sweetness faded, leaving just the plain frozen water taste. But that first bite? A burst of sweet, chilled flavor that instantly cooled you down and made everything feel just right.

3. Nanari Juice

Nanari Juice is that earthy, herbal drink that not only cools your body but also touches your soul. Made from sarsaparilla root (nanari), this traditional cooler is a staple in village carnivals, especially during summer.

It’s usually served in steel tumblers or plastic cups, mixed with chilled water or soda and a generous spoonful of sweet syrup. The moment you take a sip, the unique flavor—mildly sweet with a hint of earthy aroma—refreshes your senses. Sometimes, a squeeze of lemon is added, enhancing the taste and giving it a slight tangy twist.



No matter how hot the day is, a glass of Nanari juice feels like nature’s own way of saying, “Take a break, you’ve earned it.”



This Blog post is part of  Blogchatter's  #BlogchatterFoodFest.

Image Courtesy: Google

Comments

  1. Memory Flies18 June 2025 at 02:45

    I like that 1st one. I love when the seller makes peacock and butterfly. It tastes yummy too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Preethadevasagayam19 June 2025 at 09:43

      Yes, I too love the butterfly shape and spiral design too.

      Delete

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