Nestled in the chaotic streets of Hampankatta, Shreya’s Sweets is probably just one of the many condiment outlets in the city. Yet, it stands apart with its Golden Sweets, which are sold at a Rs. 6,000 per kg.
While the price range of its usual sweets is between Rs. 400 to Rs. 700 per kg, these sweet treats layered with gold leaf could burn a hole in most pockets. Explaining the primary reason for its steep pricing, owner of the store Ramesh Mallya said, “We use 23.5 karat gold leaves for coating.”
The sweets are made using cashews, pistachios and coated with edible gold. They are showcased especially during the festive season. “We normally only make them on order because they cost about Rs. 300 to Rs. 400 a piece.”
C. Srikanth Kamath, a customer, who ordered the Golden Sweets for a function said, “They were a hit! Everyone wanted to know where they came from.”
‘Dangerous’
Arun Isloor, Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry in National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK), however warns that consumption of gold or silver foils could adversely affect one’s health. “Consumption of any metal in direct form is not recommended as it is toxic,” he told The Hindu .
He said the thin silver foil commonly used to wrap sweets is produced by beating silver with a hammer after placing it on the intestine of calf when the protein called elastin in the intestine would cause it to expand. The metal would retain its toxicity and it should not be consumed. Wrapping such a foil to consumables is not at all required, Mr. Isloor said.
