Bihar Delicacies, Ratnagiri Mangoes On Menu For Vietnam President’s State Visit
New Delhi: Gaya anarsa, Mithila makhana, Hajipur Malbhog banana, Ratnagiri mangoes popularly known as Alphonso or Hapus were some of the special dishes served during the Vietnamese President’s state visit to Lam. The Vietnamese President is on a three-day official visit to India, which started on May 5.
Among the food served to the visiting dignitaries was Silao Khaja, the famous traditional sweet of Silao in Bihar’s Nalanda district, which is recognized with the Geographical Indication (GI) tag for its unique identity and heritage.
Official sources said this crunchy and flaky delicacy, known for its delicate, multi-layered structure, is prepared using traditional techniques using refined flour, sugar and ghee.
The visiting leader was also served Gaya anarsa, a traditional delicacy of Gaya, Bihar, celebrated for its unique taste and cultural significance.
Prepared using soaked rice flour and jaggery, the dough is carefully fermented and shaped into small discs, then lightly fried to achieve a soft texture.
Often coated with sesame seeds, it offers a slight nutty flavor as well as natural sweetness. They said Gaya anarsa reflects the region’s rich culinary heritage and skilled craftsmanship.
Another product offered was Mithila makhana, also known as fox nuts or lotus seeds. It is a premium agricultural product from the Mithila district of Bihar, recognized with the Geographical Indication (GI) tag for its unique origin and quality. Rich in protein, minerals and antioxidants, this product represents Bihar’s agricultural heritage and skilled practices of local farmers, they said.
The Hajipur Malbhog banana served to the Vietnamese leader is a premium variety grown in the fertile plains of Hajipur, Bihar. They said it stood out for its rich flavor, natural sweetness and soft, creamy texture.
Ratnagiri Mangoes of Maharashtra, popularly known as Alphonso or Hapus, were also served to the Vietnamese president. Grown in the coastal Konkan belt, these mangoes stand out for their rich aroma and vibrant golden colour. This mango variety is from the Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra, which is also recognized with a GI tag.
The visiting leader was also served healthy millet bars from Maharashtra. Millet is an integral part of the agricultural heritage of Maharashtra and is widely grown in regions like Solapur, Ahmednagar and the Marathwada belt. These climate-tolerant crops are valued for their high nutritional content, including dietary fibre, protein and essential minerals.
