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By Manu Vardhan Kannan
Published on January 29, 2025
Baking is more than following recipes—it’s an intricate dance of flavours that transforms simple ingredients into culinary masterpieces. By understanding and balancing the five core taste elements—sweetness, saltiness, bitterness, sourness, and umami—bakers can craft desserts that enchant the senses and satisfy the palate.
At the heart of exceptional baking lies the careful selection of high-quality, fresh ingredients. The richness of butter, the earthiness of cocoa, and the freshness of fruits all play crucial roles in creating depth and balance. Pairing flavours is equally important. For instance, in a traditional fruitcake, the sweetness of dried fruits is balanced with spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, while citrus zest or a touch of rum adds invigorating contrast.
Similarly, desserts like tiramisu rely on a delicate balance between the bitterness of coffee and the sweetness of sugar, with cocoa adding a finishing touch. Lemon soufflé demonstrates how tartness can pair seamlessly with sweet or salty notes, creating a dynamic flavour profile. Even cakes with sea salt provide a savoury twist while enhancing sweetness.
Temperature and technique also influence flavour. The Maillard reaction during high-temperature baking imparts rich, toasty notes to cookies and bread, while low-temperature baking preserves delicate flavours in cakes and meringues. Cooling desserts allows the flavours to meld, enhancing the overall taste experience.
Modern bakers are exploring new frontiers in flavour. Botanical ingredients like lavender and rose lend floral notes, while savoury elements such as rosemary and goat cheese bring depth to breads and pastries. Uncommon fruits like yuzu and passion fruit offer vibrant, intense flavours, and cultural influences are inspiring unique combinations for global palates.
Health-conscious trends have also shaped the baking world. Natural sweeteners like honey and coconut sugar, gluten-free flours like almond and oat, and plant-based dairy alternatives are enabling bakers to create desserts that meet dietary needs without compromising taste.
In conclusion, the art of decoding flavours in baking is a journey of creativity and precision. By understanding the interplay of elements, embracing innovative trends, and pushing boundaries, bakers can create masterpieces that delight and inspire.
This article is contributed by Chef Pratyay Keny, Executive Pastry Chef, Academy of Pastry and Culinary Arts, Bengaluru.
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By Hariharan U
Published on May 27, 2026
As Loya Mumbai marks a year of culinary storytelling, the restaurant continues its journey of exploring lesser-known dishes from the northern heartlands of India through its anniversary menu.
At the centre of this celebration is Akotri, a traditional Himachali breakfast dish reinterpreted as a dessert, reflecting Loya’s signature approach of blending heritage with contemporary presentation.
Originally a humble buckwheat pancake from Himachal Pradesh, Akotri is reimagined at Loya using ingredients such as buckwheat, coconut milk, jaggery, rabdi, and saffron. The result is a dessert that balances earthy depth with soft sweetness, offering a comforting yet refined finish to the dining experience.
The dish remains rooted in simplicity while introducing layered textures and subtle richness, paying tribute to the culinary traditions passed down through generations in the Himalayan region.
As part of its anniversary menu, Loya continues to spotlight regional Indian flavours that are often underrepresented, presenting them through a modern fine-dining perspective while preserving their cultural identity.
The Akotri dessert reflects the restaurant’s larger philosophy, bringing forgotten or lesser-known recipes into contemporary relevance without losing their essence. At Loya, each dish is designed not just as a preparation, but as a narrative rooted in place, memory, and tradition.
Haldiram's has launched ‘The Great Summer Chillers’ campaign, introducing a refreshing range of nostalgic beverages and seasonal food favourites inspired by India’s timeless summer traditions. Designed around flavours deeply associated with Indian summers, the campaign brings back memories of cooling drinks and familiar street-style favourites that generations have enjoyed over the years.
For many Indians, summer has always been linked with traditional beverages and flavours that provide comfort during the scorching heat. Through this campaign, Haldiram's aims to recreate those memorable experiences by pairing refreshing drinks with classic food favourites that reflect a distinctly Indian summer experience.
Leading the range is Mango Lassi, bringing back the familiar creamy comfort associated with homemade summer afternoons. Kacha Aam Panna also returns as one of the standout offerings with its timeless balance of sweet and tangy flavours. The menu further includes Jamun Kala Khatta with Soda, Sweet Tamarind with Soda, Masala Soda Lemonade, Masala Sikanji, Peach Iced Tea with Soda, and Dark Roast Cold Coffee.
Adding to the seasonal experience, Haldiram's has also included street-style classics such as Jhalmuri and Bhelpuri, continuing flavours customers have enjoyed over the years. Summer-special meal additions include Mango Shrikhand, Elaichi Shrikhand, Dakshin Curd Rice, and Mishti Doi, offering refreshing and comforting choices for the season.
Speaking about the initiative, the brand highlighted that the campaign was designed to help customers reconnect with memorable summer moments and relive familiar experiences with friends and family through nostalgic flavours.
Customers can experience ‘The Great Summer Chillers’ at Haldiram's outlets or order online through Swiggy and Zomato.
Ironhill India has rolled out a refreshed menu that brings together comfort food, bold flavours, and creative culinary touches. Designed to pair seamlessly with Ironhill’s craft beers and signature cocktails, the new menu combines global inspirations with familiar local favourites, creating a dining experience that feels exciting yet comforting.
The updated spread features a range of dishes perfect for sharing and enjoying over conversations. Seafood lovers can look forward to the crispy and flavour-packed Prawn Koliwada, while the Venezuelan Avocado Chicken Salad adds a fresh and creamy balance to the menu. Comfort food also gets its moment with the hearty Keema Pav, while the Mezze Board creates a laid-back experience ideal for social dining.
One of the highlights of the new additions is the Mutton Donne Biryani, a dish rich in aroma and deeply rooted in local flavours. Bringing together tradition and soul, it stands out as one of the menu’s most memorable offerings. Ending the experience on a sweet note is the Jaggery Brûlée with Red Velvet, adding a rich and indulgent finish.
Created with thoughtful flavours and versatility in mind, the menu has been designed for every occasion, whether it is a quick catch-up, a relaxed meal with friends, or long conversations that stretch into the evening.
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