Come Diwali, Soan Papdi strikes again ‘the sweet that nobody eats but everybody receives’

Just in time for Diwali, soan papdi is back in the spotlight and reveals secret life of the festival’s most travelled sweet.

This time, it’s not because someone re-gifted it for the seventh year in a row, but thanks to a viral Instagram video that shows how the flaky legend is made.

With over a million views and counting, the video takes viewers inside a sweet-making factory where workers bravely battle sugar, palm oil and what appears to be maida (yes, not besan, cue the outrage). The ingredients are mixed in huge cauldrons before being hand-stretched like sugary dough until the thread-like texture appears.

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A post shared by Amar Sirohi (@foodie_incarnate)

The clip was captioned, “Guess the name of this mithai,” but honestly, who didn’t know? The comments section lit up faster than a box of Diwali crackers.

One user nailed it: “Soan Papdi — the sweet that travels more during Diwali than I do all year.”

Another added, “Diwali matlab Soan Papdi. No Diwali party is complete without one unopened box sitting quietly in the corner”.

Of course, the internet had thoughts. Some were fascinated, others horrified.

“Authentic soan papdi is made with besan, not maida!” one commented, while another raised hygiene concerns.

But love it or mock it, soan papdi remains undefeated, a dessert, a Diwali tradition, and now, a viral star.

After all, no other mithai can claim to be both a gift and a meme.