JALKHABAR

             In Bengali language "KHABAR" means food but when it is said JALKHABAR it has a different implication.JAL means water in Bengali but if one imagines Jalkhabar means drinking water that would be a great mistake.Jalkhabar means light food that is served generally in the morning at the time of breakfast or in the evening .It may be served with tea or coffee or even milk or even without it..
             Lets talk about different types of Jalkhabar.As it indicates light food it might range from simple biscuit to luchi with alurdom.Though Luchi and Alurdom is quite heavy a dish but it is one of the favourite dishes of Bengal.What is most interesting is the fact that in most of the Bengalee households Muri,Chire and Khai are eaten as a simple accompaniment with tea.New generation might not like them as it is to be munched .But a few decades ago too this was one of the commonly found food served with tea.Still now if it is JHALMURI (muri mixed with chanachr ,pickle oil,and fried red chili,onion and ginger slices) or CHIREBHAJA(deefried chire served with fried red or green chili ,curri leaves and pesnuts ) or even MURKI (khai folded in jaggery) and served ,it won't take much time to be finished .Fresh hot Roti and Parota served with GHUGNY( item of chikpea) or any other veg dish is eaten with same love
             Jalkhabar includes both salted and sweet dishes .Rasgolla is one of most popular sweets of Bengal that is vastly consumed .One will find it in any sweet shop.There are many varieties of Rasogolla(soft,sponge,white and red ) and it is commonly served along with other items of sweets when any guest come .It has become an identity of BENGAL.
             In Winter Pitha occupies the place of rasogolla and other sweets .Patisapta, Malpoa, Pulipitha need secial mention.To maintain its popularity Rasogolla is then available with new NOLENGUR flavour(a type of jaggry).Various festival and seasons are reflected in the Jalkhabar of Bengal.It reflects the culture of Bengal as a whole.