Sweets & Mithai
Indian Sweets & Mithai in Durban
Traditional Indian sweets, handmade in Durban by Eastern Essence for gifting, family gatherings, weddings and functions.
Traditional Indian sweets from a Durban maker
Eastern Essence is a Durban maker of traditional Indian sweets and mithai. Every piece is handmade from traditional recipes, and our range also includes swiss rolls and desserts, plus combo packs and festive gift boxes. Order sweets for your own table, to give as a gift, or in larger quantities for a wedding, party or function.
We serve Durban, Chatsworth, Phoenix, Pinetown and the wider KwaZulu-Natal area. To order, message us on WhatsApp on 061 353 3751.
Indian sweets you can order
Traditional favourites, grouped by type. Message us to confirm which are available for your date.
Barfi, fudge & milk sweets
- Milk barfi
- Dense, smooth milk-based fudge cut into squares.
- Coconut barfi
- Barfi made with coconut, soft with a light chew.
- Kaju katli
- Thin, diamond-shaped cashew fudge, a Diwali gifting favourite.
- Pistachio barfi
- Barfi flavoured with pistachio.
- Peda (penda)
- Soft, rounded milk sweets, often flavoured with cardamom or saffron.
- Kalakand
- A moist, slightly grainy milk cake.
- Mohanthal
- A rich gram-flour fudge made with ghee.
- Mysore pak
- A gram-flour and ghee sweet that melts in the mouth.
Ladoo
- Besan ladoo
- Roasted gram-flour balls cooked in ghee.
- Motichoor ladoo
- Soft, fine-textured balls made from tiny fried gram-flour droplets.
- Boondi ladoo
- Larger boondi pearls bound together with sugar syrup.
- Coconut ladoo
- Coconut rolled into soft, sweet balls.
- Rava (sooji) ladoo
- Semolina ladoo, often made with coconut.
Fried & syrup sweets
- Gulab jamun
- Soft milk-solid dumplings, fried and soaked in cardamom-scented syrup.
- Jalebi
- Crisp spirals of fried batter soaked in sugar syrup.
- Balushahi
- A flaky, doughnut-like sweet with a sugar glaze.
Halwa & milk puddings
- Carrot halwa (gajar halwa)
- Grated carrot slow-cooked with milk, sugar and ghee.
- Sooji halwa
- A warm semolina halwa cooked with ghee and sugar.
- Kheer
- A creamy milk pudding, traditionally flavoured with cardamom.
- Seviyan (vermicelli)
- Fine vermicelli cooked in sweetened milk.
Bengali-style & chilled sweets
- Rasgulla
- Soft cheese dumplings in light sugar syrup.
- Rasmalai
- Soft cheese discs in sweetened, thickened milk.
- Sandesh
- A delicate sweet made from fresh cheese.
- Chum chum
- Syrup-soaked cheese sweets, often finished with coconut.
- Kulfi
- A dense, Indian-style frozen dessert.
- Falooda
- A chilled dessert of vermicelli, milk and syrup.
Flaky, crunchy & everyday favourites
- Soan papdi
- Light, flaky sweet that pulls into fine threads.
- Chikki
- A crunchy nut and jaggery brittle.
- Swiss rolls
- A South African teatime classic, part of our range.
- Desserts
- Other desserts from our sweets range. Ask what we have for your date.
Occasions for Indian sweets
Family gatherings
Sweets are a natural part of hosting. Order a selection for the table when family visits.
Gifting
Our festive gift boxes and combo packs are made for giving. Ask us what we can put together for you.
Weddings and functions
Bulk function trays keep ordering simple for weddings and large gatherings. See catering & events.
Corporate events
We cater corporate events with bulk trays. Tell us the numbers and the date and we will put together a menu.
How to order Indian sweets
- Choose your sweetsPick from the list above, or ask about a combo pack or gift box.
- Message usWhatsApp 061 353 3751, use our contact page, or email info@easternessence.co.za.
- Tell us the detailsWhich sweets, how many, and the date you need them.
- We confirm and arrangeWe get back to you to confirm the order and arrange pickup or delivery.
Sweets in Durban and across KwaZulu-Natal
Eastern Essence is based in Durban and serves Durban, Chatsworth, Phoenix, Pinetown and the wider KwaZulu-Natal area, with pickup, delivery and event catering in and around Durban.
Not sure whether we cover your area? Message us on WhatsApp to confirm before you order.
Full product range Catering & events Eastern Essence homeAreas we serve
Pickup, delivery and event catering in and around Durban.
- Durban
- Chatsworth
- Phoenix
- Pinetown
- KwaZulu-Natal
Why order sweets from Eastern Essence
You deal directly with the people who make your order. Our sweets are handmade from traditional recipes, and we have been cooking for more than ten years and have catered over 500 events. One WhatsApp conversation can cover your sweets, savouries and any catering for the same date.
See more of our work on Instagram and Facebook, or read about us.
Sweets questions
What Indian sweets do you make?
We make traditional Indian sweets and mithai, plus swiss rolls and desserts. You can ask us about barfi, kaju katli, peda, ladoo, gulab jamun, jalebi, halwa, rasmalai, soan papdi, chikki and more. Message us on WhatsApp on 061 353 3751 to confirm what is available for your date.
Can I order sweets for a wedding or function?
Yes. We cater weddings, parties, festivals and corporate events with bulk trays of samoosas, sweets and more. Tell us about your event, the number of guests and the date, and we will put together a menu.
Do you make sweet boxes or combo packs?
Yes. We make festive gift boxes and combo packs for every occasion, which suit gifting. Message us and tell us who they are for.
Where do you deliver sweets?
We serve Durban, Chatsworth, Phoenix, Pinetown and the wider KwaZulu-Natal area, with pickup and delivery in and around Durban. Message us on WhatsApp to confirm delivery to your area.
How do I place an order?
The quickest way is WhatsApp on 061 353 3751. You can also use our contact page or email info@easternessence.co.za. Tell us which sweets you would like, the quantity and the date, and we will get back to you.
Do you also make savouries and offer catering?
Yes. We make samoosas, spring rolls and other savouries, sold frozen and in bulk, and we cater weddings, parties, festivals and corporate events.