Kalimpong, West Bengal

Batare (Lepcha/Damlo traditional sweet)

Batare, the traditional rice-flour sweet of the Lepcha and local tribal communities of Kalimpong, sold locally as 'Kalimpong Batare or Damlo Mithai' by sweet shops in the town. It is a simple, humble sweet of the hill communities - a rice and sugar-based sweet associated with Lepcha food culture that is available in the markets for visitors. It is a small but authentic taste-of-the-district purchase you will not find outside the local markets. Buyers get the district's indigenous community sweet, fresh from local sweet shops.

Typical price: ₹50-300

Buying tip: Ask local sweet shops on Rishi Road or in the 10th Mile area for batare/damlo mithai; it is a small, easily carried sweet - buy a few pieces to try rather than large quantities.