Chhenapoda, The Sweet Delight of Nayagarh

Chhenapoda, literally meaning “roasted cheese,” is one of Odisha’s most iconic and beloved desserts. This golden-brown delicacy combines fresh chhena (cottage cheese), semolina, sugar, crunchy cashews, and sweet raisins. Many now call it the "cheesecake of India." Crisp on the outside and soft, moist inside, Chhenapoda is both a traditional pitha and a melt-in-the-mouth sweet.

A Sweet Accident That Made History

The origins of Chhenapoda are as fascinating as its flavor. Legend has it that one night in Nayagarh district, a local sweet maker named Sudarshan Sahoo mixed leftover chhena with sugar and a few ingredients, wrapped it in a sal leaf, and placed it in a still-warm oven. By morning, what emerged was a beautifully caramelized, aromatic sweet — the first ever Chhenapoda.

From that serendipitous moment, Chhenapoda became a cherished addition to Odisha's culinary legacy.

A Taste That Travels Beyond Borders

This once-local delicacy has now crossed state lines and even made its way to international food exhibitions, winning hearts far and wide. Every day, transporters ship quintals of Chhenapoda from Nayagarh to different corners of Odisha and across India, meeting growing demand. But Chhenapoda is more than just a dessert — it's a cultural symbol of Odia heritage and culinary ingenuity.

Chhenapoda Day – Honoring a Legend

To celebrate its unique legacy and honor the man behind the sweet, people have observed World Chhenapoda Day every year since 2022 on April 11, the birthday of Sudarshan Sahoo, who was born in 1931. This celebration has now even gained recognition at the state government level, further underlining its cultural importance.

A Sweet Worth Protecting

With growing popularity, the call for awarding Chhenapoda a Geographical Indication (GI) tag is getting stronger. A GI tag not only preserves the authenticity and quality of the dish but also helps promote the rich tradition and heritage behind it. Gaining such recognition would ensure that this culinary gem of Odisha continues to shine on national and global platforms.

Chhenapoda Preparation Method

Ingredients:

Preparation Method:

First, knead the chhena well. After that, add semolina and sugar to it and knead well, so that the sugar and semolina mix thoroughly with the chhena. You can add 2 spoons of ghee to this. The aroma of ghee will make the Chhenapoda even more fragrant. Now, add cardamom powder and green cardamom powder and mix. After this, place this mixture in a shallow pan. Now, arrange cashews and raisins on top of it. Then, cover it with a leaf. Now, roast it over fire. If you wish, you can place some salt in a pan and then place a vessel with this mixture on top of the salt to roast it. Once you finish roasting it, let it cool, cut it into pieces, and enjoy it yourself and share it with others.