| Shemai | |
| Alternate Name: | সেমাই |
| Country: | Bangladesh, India |
| Region: | Bengal, South Asia |
| Main Ingredient: | Vermicelli, milk, cashew nuts, cardamom, Ghee |
| Variations: | Milk Shemai, Dry Shemai |
| Place Of Origin: | Bengal region |
| Type: | dessert |
| Associated Cuisine: | Bangladesh, India |
Shemai is a traditional dessert item in Bangladesh and West Bengal, India. Shemai is a popular item during Eid, but it is consumed throughout the year.[1] Shemai is a dessert form of vermicelli, soaked in sweet milk and often garnished with nuts.[2]
The staple ingredients of shemai are milk, ghee, sugar, roasted vermicelli, and various assortments of nuts and spices.[3] [4] Shemai variations include a kheer version, dry fruits, and jodda shemai.[5]
Shemai originated from Bengal.[6] Ice Today described shemai as a distant cousin of sheer khurma, an Afghani dessert.[7] Some recipes used powdered milk and/or condense milk.[8] [9]
There has been some questions over the hygiene of factories producing shemai.[10] [11] In June 2016, substandard shemai, produced in unauthorized factories, flooded the market in Saidpur, Bangladesh.[12] Next year there was widespread adultered shemai in Chittagong.[13] Sales of packaged shemai fell during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh. The prices also rose as many of the factories stopped production due to the pandemic.[14]