View source for Laddu

{{Short description|Spherical sweet from the Indian subcontinent}}
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{{original research|date=March 2023}}
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{{Infobox food
| name = ''Laddu''
| image = Laddu Sweet.JPG
| caption = 
| region = [[Indian subcontinent]], [[Caribbean]]
| main_ingredient = Flour, sugar, [[ghee]], dry fruits
| variations = [[Gram flour]], [[Semolina|rava]]
| calories = 
| other = 
| type = Sweet
}}

'''''Laddu''''' or '''''laddoo''''' is a spherical sweet from the [[Indian subcontinent]] made of various ingredients and [[sugar syrup]] or [[jaggery]]. It has been described as "perhaps the most universal and ancient of [[Sweets from the Indian subcontinent|Indian sweets]]."<ref name = "bloom">{{cite book|date=2023|title=The Bloomsbury Handbook of Indian Cuisine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AzysEAAAQBAJ&pg=PAPT269|publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing|pages=269–270|isbn=978-1-350-12865-1 |access-date=2023-03-14|archive-date=2023-03-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314103601/https://books.google.com/books?id=AzysEAAAQBAJ&pg=PAPT270|url-status=live}}</ref>

''Laddus'' are often served during celebrations and religious festivals, especially those associated with the [[Hindu]] deity [[Ganesha]].<ref name = "bloom"/><ref>{{cite news |url=http://newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/Sweet-shops-make-hay-in-Diwali-shine/2013/10/31/article1864851.ece |title=Sweet shops make hay in Diwali shine |work=The New Indian Express |date=31 October 2013 |access-date=17 January 2019 |archive-date=21 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160421022428/http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/Sweet-shops-make-hay-in-Diwali-shine/2013/10/31/article1864851.ece |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/Food/as-good-as-home/article5288375.ece |title=As good as home |author=Sangeetha Devi Dundoo |work=The Hindu |date=31 October 2013 |access-date=17 January 2019 |archive-date=23 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180123212432/http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/Food/as-good-as-home/article5288375.ece |url-status=live }}</ref>

== History ==

Archaeological excavations have found "food balls" made of legumes and cereals such as [[barley]], [[wheat]], [[chickpea]] and [[mung bean]] were consumed in the [[Indus Valley Civilization]] circa 2600 BCE.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last=Agnihotri |first=Rajesh |date=1 June 2021 |title=Microscopic, biochemical and stable isotopic investigation of seven multi-nutritional food-balls from Indus archaeological site, Rajasthan (India) |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2352409X21001292 |journal=Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports |language=en |volume=37 |pages=102917 |doi=10.1016/j.jasrep.2021.102917 |bibcode=2021JArSR..37j2917A |s2cid=233578846 |issn=2352-409X |access-date=21 June 2021 |archive-date=24 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624202932/https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2352409X21001292 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Tewari |first=Mohita |date=25 March 2021 |title=Harappan people ate multigrain, high-protein 'laddoos': Study |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/education/news/harappan-people-ate-multigrain-high-protein-laddoos-study/articleshow/81684776.cms |access-date=21 June 2021 |work=The Times of India |archive-date=19 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220219112112/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/education/news/harappan-people-ate-multigrain-high-protein-laddoos-study/articleshow/81684776.cms |url-status=live }}</ref>

In the 3rd-4th century [[Sanskrit]] medical text ''[[Sushruta Samhita]]'', ''ladduka'' are described as small balls of jaggery, [[peanut|peanuts]], and [[sesame seeds]] coated with [[honey]]. These balls were used as an [[antiseptic]] and to [[oral administration|deliver]] medication. However, the first documented mention of ''laddu'' as a sweet is in the  11th-century [[Western India|Western Indian]] cookbook [[Indian cookbooks|''Lokopakara'']]. It gives a recipe for making ''laddus'' with ''[[sevai|shavige]]'' (rice vermicelli), ''ghee'', and sugar syrup, which were formed into balls and fried in ''ghee''. The 15th-century Indian cookbook ''[[Nimatnama-i-Nasiruddin-Shahi]]'' gives several recipes for ''laddus'' made with [[white flour]], [[dried fruits]], [[rosewater]], [[camphor]], and [[musk]].<ref name = "bloom"/>

==Varieties==

===''Besan laddu''===
[[File:Besan Laddoo Sweets India cropped.jpg|thumb|200px|''Besan'' (chickpea flour) ''laddus'']]

''Besan laddu'' is the most common variety. To prepare it, ''[[besan]]'' (chickpea flour) is fried in hot ''[[ghee]]'' (clarified butter). Sugar and [[cardamom]] powder are then mixed in. The mixture is formed into balls and allowed to cool and solidify.<ref name = "bloom"/><ref>{{cite book |last1=Collingham |first1=Lizzie |author-link=Lizzie Collingham |title=Curry : a tale of cooks and conquerors |date=2007 |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=Oxford |isbn=978-0195320015 |page=105 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Q2rRCwAAQBAJ&pg=Pg105 |access-date=2018-12-22 |archive-date=2023-03-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314103616/https://books.google.com/books?id=Q2rRCwAAQBAJ&pg=Pg105 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===''Motichoor laddu''===
[[File:Motichoor ka Ladoo - sweets of India.jpg|thumb|200px|''Motichoor laddus'']]

''Motichoor'' ("crushed pearls" in [[Hindi]])<ref>{{cite web | url=https://food.ndtv.com/food-drinks/motichoor-ladoo-a-sweet-dip-in-the-history-of-indias-favourite-festive-treat-1729993 | title=Motichoor Ladoo (Laddu): A Sweet Dip in the History of India's Favourite Festive Treat | access-date=2022-08-15 | archive-date=2022-09-02 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220902165037/https://food.ndtv.com/food-drinks/motichoor-ladoo-a-sweet-dip-in-the-history-of-indias-favourite-festive-treat-1729993 | url-status=live }}</ref> ''laddu''  is made from [[boondi]], tiny fried balls of chickpea batter soaked in sugar syrup.<ref name = "bloom"/><ref>{{cite book |last1=Krondl |first1=Michael |title=Sweet invention a history of dessert |date=2011 |publisher=Chicago Review Press |location=Chicago, Ill. |isbn=9781569769522 |page=17 |edition=1st |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Dt0RErSFvE8C&pg=PP17 |access-date=2018-12-22 |archive-date=2023-03-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314103602/https://books.google.com/books?id=Dt0RErSFvE8C&pg=PP17 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===''Thaggu ke laddu''===

''Thaggu ke'' ("Cheat's") ''laddu'' is made from ''[[khoa]]'' (condensed milk), [[semolina]], and [[white sugar]] and is a specialty of [[Kanpur]], India. It was invented by Mattha Pandey, a follower of [[Mahatma Gandhi]]. Pandey heard Gandhi refer to white sugar, which was popularized in India by the British, as "white poison" and disease-causing. Since his ''laddu'' was made with white sugar, he named it accordingly.<ref name = "bloom"/>

===''Shahi laddu''===
''Shahi'' (royal) ''laddu'' is made from the sweets ''[[peda]]'' and ''[[barfi]]'', which are ground into a paste, mixed with cardamom, dried fruits, and nuts, and formed into balls. It is decorated with ''[[vark]]'' (edible foil).<ref name = "bloom"/>

=== Coconut ''laddu'' ===
[[File:Coconut Laddoo 5.jpg|thumb|Coconut ''laddus'']]

There are multiple [[coconut]] laddu recipes. Its earliest form ''Narayl Nakru'' dates back to the time of the [[Chola Empire]], when it was a sweet that was packed for travelers and warriors as a symbol of good luck for their expeditions.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/food-wine/food-story-the-journey-of-ladoo-from-a-medicine-to-the-much-loved-indian-sweet/#sthash.6mHIen3o.dpuf |title=Food Story: The journey of ladoo from a medicine to the much-loved Indian sweet |work=The New Indian Express |date=16 October 2004 |author=Madhulika Dash |access-date=26 September 2015 |archive-date=27 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150927072954/http://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/food-wine/food-story-the-journey-of-ladoo-from-a-medicine-to-the-much-loved-indian-sweet/#sthash.6mHIen3o.dpuf |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Laddu with edible gum===
In India, these are traditionally given to [[lactating]] mothers as they help in the production of milk.<ref>Kajale, Neha, et al. "Effect of traditional food supplements on nutritional status of lactating mothers and growth of their infants." Nutrition 30.11 (2014): 1360-1365.</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Singh |first1=Mayank |title=Traditional Herbal Care of Human Health in Jaunpur (U.P.) |journal=Indian J. L. Sci. |pages=61–65 |year=2012 |volume=1 |issue=2 |url=http://ijls.in/upload/1611558309CHAPTER%20014.pdf |access-date=13 April 2016 |archive-date=9 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170809015218/http://www.ijls.in/upload/1611558309CHAPTER%20014.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> These laddus are called ''dinkache ladoo'' in [[Marathi language|Marathi]] and ''gond ka laddu'' in [[Hindi]]. The main ingredient is [[gum arabic]] which is collected from the [[Vachellia nilotica|babhul tree]]. Other ingredients include coconut, almonds, cashews, dates, spices such as [[nutmeg]] and [[cardamom]], poppy seeds, ghee, and sugar.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dinkache ladoo, Gund ladoo, Gond Ladoo, Gond Ka Laddu.....Easy Recipes on CuisineCuisine.com |url=http://www.cuisinecuisine.com/Dinkache%20Ladoo.htm |website=cuisinecuisine.com |access-date=11 April 2016 |archive-date=22 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160422070454/http://www.cuisinecuisine.com/Dinkache%20Ladoo.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

An alternative multigrain recipe will have a portion of gum replaced by grains and legume flours such as [[besan]], [[urid]], [[Eleusine coracana|ragi (nachani in Marathi)]] and wheat.<ref>Naidu, Bhargavi G., Kirti J. Shirke, and Anuradha Shekhar. "Research Paper Open Access." (2012).</ref>

===Temple ''laddus''===
{{See also|Tirupati Laddu}}
Some [[Hindu temples]] have their own ''laddu'' versions, which are offered to the deities and then served to devotees as ''[[prasada]]'' (sanctified food). The ''besan laddu'' served in the [[Venkateswara Temple]] in [[Tirupati]], India, has been called "the most famous temple ''laddu''." The [[Maa Tarini Temple, Ghatgaon|Maa Tarini Temple]] in [[Ghatgaon]], India serves ''laddus'' made from coconut and [[khoa]]. The special ''laddu'' at the [[Subramaniya Swamy Temple, Tiruchendur|Subramaniya Swamy Temple]] in [[Tiruchendur]], India is made from [[foxtail millet]].<ref name = "bloom"/><ref>{{cite book |last1=Collingham |first1=Lizzie |title=Curry : a tale of cooks and conquerors |date=2007 |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=Oxford |isbn=978-0195320015 |page=105 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Q2rRCwAAQBAJ&pg=Pg105 |access-date=2018-12-22 |archive-date=2023-03-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314103616/https://books.google.com/books?id=Q2rRCwAAQBAJ&pg=Pg105 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Others===
[[File:Atta Laddoos.jpg|thumb|Wheat flour ''laddus'']]
[[File:Til Ko Laddu.jpg|thumb|''Til'' (sesame seed) ''laddus'']]
[[File:RiceFlourLaddu Homemdae Mumbai.jpg|thumb|Rice flour ''laddus'']]
Every region of India has its own version of ''laddu.'' In [[Rajasthan]], ''laddus'' are made from [[wheat flour]], in [[Maharashtra]] from [[sesame seeds]], in [[Kerala]] from [[rice flour]], and in [[Andhra Pradesh]] from [[rice flakes]]. Optional ingredients include [[grated coconut]], roasted chickpeas, [[Nut (fruit)|nuts]], and [[raisins]].<ref name = "bloom"/>

==World record==
[[File:Largest Laddu (individual).jpg|thumb|200px|The largest individual laddu weighs 29,465 kg]]

The largest individual laddu weighs {{convert|29,465|kg}} and was achieved by PVVS Mallikharjuna Rao (India), in Tapeswaram, Andhra Pradesh, India, on 6 September 2016.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/largest-laddu-(individual) |title=Largest laddu (individual) |website=Guinness World Records |access-date=2018-10-08 |archive-date=2018-10-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181019071341/http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/largest-laddu-(individual) |url-status=live }}</ref> The laddu was made to a traditional Boondi recipe. The ingredients included ghee, refined oil, cashew nuts, sugar, almonds, cardamom, and water.

A laddu weighing 6,300&nbsp;kg was made for a [[Ganesh]] festival in [[Andhra Pradesh]], India in September 2012. This was claimed to be the largest known laddu.<ref>{{cite news |title=6,300 kg Tapeswaram laddu creates record |url=http://newindianexpress.com/states/andhra_pradesh/article810888.ece |work=The New Indian Express |access-date=27 September 2012 |archive-date=6 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131106125747/http://newindianexpress.com/states/andhra_pradesh/article810888.ece |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==In popular culture==
In the ''[[Sesame Street]]'' episode "Rakhi Road", [[Elmo]] is shown eating laddus.<ref>{{cite news|title=Guide to Deepavali|url=https://www.timeout.com/kuala-lumpur/things-to-do/guide-to-deepavali|newspaper=Time Out|date=October 24, 2019|quote= ‘Sesame Street’ even paid tribute with a Rakhi Road episode which shows Elmo chomping away at laddu. }}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Tirupati Laddu]]
* [[Indian sweets]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Bangladeshi dishes}}
{{Indian Dishes}}
{{Pakistani dishes}}
{{Burmese cuisine}}
{{Bruneian cuisine}}
{{Indonesian cuisine}}
{{Malaysian cuisine}}
{{Kue}}
{{Singaporean cuisine}}

[[Category:Bangladeshi desserts]]
[[Category:Bengali cuisine]]
[[Category:Bihari cuisine]]
[[Category:Bruneian snack foods]]
[[Category:Burmese desserts and snacks]]
[[Category:Chickpea dishes]]
[[Category:Kue]]
[[Category:Indian pastries]]
[[Category:Malay cuisine]]
[[Category:Malaysian snack foods]]
[[Category:Nepalese cuisine]]
[[Category:Pakistani desserts]]
[[Category:Singaporean cuisine]]
[[Category:Thai desserts and snacks]]
[[Category:Uttar Pradeshi cuisine]]
[[Category:Vegetarian dishes of India]]
[[Category:Indo-Caribbean cuisine]]