Is Gourmet Mithai Worth the Splurge? A Financial Analysis For Festive Shoppers

The festive season is a favourite time of the year for many with a sweet tooth. It brings a surge of sweet consumption where mithai takes centre stage. However, a new trend has emerged in recent years: the era of lux or ‘gourmet mithai’. These pretty-looking sweets are known for their high-quality ingredients, innovative flavours, premium packaging, and mostly for a higher price tag. They present something new and eye-capturing, however, the question remains: Is gourmet mithai worth the splurge with extra bucks, or is sticking to traditional sweets a more sensible financial decision for you?

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Traditional Mithai vs Gourmet Mithai: How Do Their Prices Compare?

The price differences between traditional and gourmet mithai variants are huge. For example, a kilogram of regular Chana Barfi would cost you around Rs 580, whereas its gourmet counterpart is sold for as high as Rs 1,400 for a box of 10 pieces. Similarly, while Haldiram’s Kaju Katli is priced at Rs 580 for 500 grams, a gourmet version of the same will cost you as much as Rs 1,500.

These hefty price tags beg the question - what are consumers paying for, and is it worth it? Before diving into this aspect let’s take a closer look at price tag variations for some other popular traditional mithai:

Traditional Mysore Pak: Rs675 per kg

Gourmet Mysore Pak: Starts from Rs 1,100 per kg

Traditional Milk Cake: Rs 215 (250 grams)

Gourmet Milk Cake: Rs 1,500 per kg

Traditional Mathura Peda: Rs 177 (250 grams)

Gourmet Mathura Peda: Rs 1,100 (box of 10 pieces)

Coconut Ladoo: Rs 600 per kg

Gourmet Pink Coconut Ladoo: Starts from Rs 1,100 (box of 10 pieces)

Doda Barfi: Rs 300 per kg

Gourmet Doda Barfi: Starts from Rs 1,200 (box of 10 pieces)

Moti Choor Ladoo: Rs 340 per gram

Gourmet Moti Choor Ladoo: Price starts from Rs 1,100 (box of 10 pieces)

(Please Note: The prices have been listed based on Outlook Money research on Mithai prices across websites and physical stores of various Sweet Shops.)

What Justifies This Higher Price Tag?

The key difference in these prices comes from the variety of ingredients, packaging, and culinary innovation of gourmet mithai. While the gourmet mithai makers assure using premium ingredients like organic sugar, exotic nuts, or imported chocolates, the traditional sweets on the other hand are often made of regular products, the quality of which cannot be certain. 

Sugar-Free Appeal: Some gourmet variants come with a label stating the use of healthier alternatives like refined sugar-free or vegan options. This caters to the modern dietary preferences of many health-conscious customers. As Pooja Dhingra, a well-known pastry chef, points out, “there’s also a large emphasis on eating more sustainably and locally,” highlighting that these offerings tap into the growing desire for wholesome, ‘guilt-free’ indulgence.

Health And Hygiene Factor: One of the main selling points of gourmet mithai is its promise of being better, healthier, and maintaining proper hygiene. Traditional sweets, on the other hand, are often mass-produced, with little control over ingredients or sanitation in their making. Recently a video went viral where rats were seen munching and jumping on the sweets kept inside a display case in an Aggarwal Sweets shop, reportedly located at Khajoori Chowk in Delhi's Bhajanpura. 

In contrast, gourmet sweets are marketed as being made with organic or superior quality ingredients, crafted in controlled environments, often by renowned chefs. This adds a level of assurance for health-conscious buyers. As chef Girish Nayak notes, fusion and gourmet sweets like the Coffee Rasgulla Tiramisu combine the best of two worlds, providing a premium experience. However, too many flavour upgrades in their traditional sweets are not everybody’s cup of tea.

Packaging and Presentation: Gourmet mithai are also known for their exquisite presentation with luxurious packaging primarily designed for gifting. This makes it particularly appealing during the festive season when aesthetics matter as much as taste. For those looking to make a statement with their gifting options, gourmet sweets are an ideal choice. While regular sweets may come in simple cardboard boxes wrapped in golden glitter paper, gourmet is designed to be beautiful keeping the festive theme in mind.

What Do The Experts Say?

According to the Godrej Food Trends Report 2024, over 75 per cent of food experts predict a continued rise in gourmet mithai this year. Chef Girish Nayak believes Indian sweets are evolving with modern twists combining traditional recipes with international influences, like his coffee Rasgulla Tiramisu. Yet, some purists like Zeba Kohli of Fantasie Fine Chocolates caution that fusion mithai is just a fad. She emphasises the importance of authenticity stating, “Fusion is temporary, cheeky, and meant for a bit of drama.”

And, What Do People Say?

In an open social media discussion, 8 out of 10 people Outlook Money talked to said they would any day go for their regular mithai over gourmet ones. Why? The traditional flavour is more appealing to them than the exquisite fusion of their beloved chana barfi and other sweets.

Despite the gourmet buzz, many shoppers are particularly wary of the ‘price tag’. Traditional mithai remains the go-to for daily indulgence, largely due to its affordability. However, gourmet mithai is gaining ground as a gifting option, especially during festivals when discounts are available on bulk purchases.

So, Should You Go For Gourmet Mithai?

The decision to splurge on gourmet mithai depends on what you are looking for. If you value premium ingredients, unique flavours, and eye-catching packages then gourmet mithai might be worth the splurge, especially during the festive season. However, if you are more focused on value for money and tradition, then sticking to regular sweets from your next-door sweet shop (who you trust) or popular brands like Haldiram, Bikanerwala, Hathras, etc. is also a good option.

From a financial perspective, buying gourmet mithai in bulk during festive discounts can make a more reasonable option for gifting and consumption if you spare a few for yourself. But for everyday consumption traditional mithai offers a much more affordable and perhaps equally satisfying choice.

The choice ultimately boils down to whether the allure of healthier ingredients, artistic presentation, and gourmet innovation justifies the extra expense for you or if you’re someone who won’t say no to traditional sweets for emotional aspect and affordability appeal.