What is Pootharekulu? India's Most Delicate Sweet, Explained

By Godavari Svadh Team · March 2026 · 8 min read

There is a sweet in India so delicate that it melts before it even touches your tongue. So paper-thin that skilled hands are the only tool that can make it. So rooted in one place that no other village in the world has ever been able to replicate it.

It is called Pootharekulu — also spelt Putharekulu or Pootharekhulu — and it comes from a small town on the banks of the Godavari river in Andhra Pradesh called Atreyapuram.

If you have never tasted it, this guide will make you want to. If you have, it will remind you exactly why you need to order more.

## What Does "Pootharekulu" Mean?

The name comes from two Telugu words: Pootha (పూత), meaning "coating," and Rekulu (రేకులు), meaning "sheets" or "layers." Together, they describe exactly what this sweet is — a coated sheet. A layered wrap. A paper made of rice.

In English, Pootharekulu is often called Paper Sweet — and once you see one, you will understand why. Each piece is thinner than a page of this article. Translucent. Impossibly light.

## Where Does It Come From?

Pootharekulu originates exclusively from Atreyapuram, a small mandal in the East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. The town sits on the fertile banks of the Godavari river, and for generations the women of Atreyapuram have made this sweet using the same technique their mothers and grandmothers taught them.

Today, over 400 families in Atreyapuram depend on making Pootharekulu for their livelihood. It is a cottage industry, a living tradition, and a GI-tagged heritage food — meaning the Government of India has officially recognised Atreyapuram as the only authentic origin of this sweet.

Quick Facts:

• Origin: Atreyapuram village, East Godavari, Andhra Pradesh
• GI (Geographical Indication) tag: Officially recognised by Government of India
• Main ingredients: Rice starch (Jaya Biyyam), pure desi ghee, sugar or jaggery, dry fruits
• Shelf life: 7 days at room temperature, 15 days refrigerated
• 400+ families in Atreyapuram depend on making it
• Also known as: Paper Sweet, Putharekulu, Pootharekhulu, Atreyapuram Sweet

## How Is Pootharekulu Made?

This is where the magic lies. The making of Pootharekulu is an art that cannot be rushed, cannot be mechanised, and cannot be faked.

Step 1 — The Rice Batter

A fine rice called Jaya Biyyam is soaked and ground into an ultra-thin batter — thinner than dosa batter. The consistency must be perfect. Too thick and the sheet will crack. Too thin and it will not hold.

Step 2 — The Earthen Pot

A large clay pot (matti kunda) is placed over a wood fire. A damp cotton cloth is stretched over the mouth of the pot, using the rising steam as the cooking surface. This is centuries-old technology. No substitute exists.

Step 3 — Spreading the Sheet

In one lightning-quick motion, the artisan spreads a paper-thin layer of batter onto the cloth using her bare hand. Within seconds, the steam cooks it into a translucent rice sheet — barely visible, almost weightless.

Step 4 — The Filling

The sheet is carefully lifted and laid flat. Pure desi ghee is brushed over it, then powdered sugar or jaggery is dusted on, followed by a generous layer of dry fruits — almonds, cashews, pistachios.

Step 5 — The Roll

Multiple sheets are stacked and rolled together with extraordinary care. The final piece is a delicate cylinder — firm enough to hold its shape, fragile enough to melt on your tongue.

No machine can replicate Step 3. The exact pressure of the palm, the speed of the spread, the reading of the steam — this knowledge lives only in the hands of Atreyapuram's women. It is why every Pootharekulu you eat is genuinely handmade.

## What Are the Different Types of Pootharekulu?

Traditionally, Pootharekulu was made with just two fillings — sugar or jaggery. Over the years, artisans have innovated while staying true to the core technique.

• Classic Sugar — Powdered sugar, pure ghee, and a hint of cardamom. The original. Clean, simple, timeless.
• Bellam (Jaggery) — Natural jaggery instead of sugar. Earthier, richer flavour with added iron and minerals. A favourite for health-conscious eaters.
• Dry Fruit — Almonds, cashews and pistachios packed into every roll. The most gifted variety — premium feel, nutritious, and deeply satisfying.
• Kova (Khoya) — Layered with milk solids for a rich, dairy-forward flavour. Indulgent and unique.
• Chocolate — Cocoa filling inside traditional rice sheets. A modern twist that works surprisingly well.
• Fusion Varieties — Oreo, Horlicks, Boost. Contemporary fillings in traditional wrapping, perfect for children and gifting to non-Telugu audiences.

## Why Does Pootharekulu Taste Different from Every Other Indian Sweet?

Most Indian sweets are dense, syrup-soaked, or fried. Pootharekulu is none of these things. It is light. Almost airy. The rice sheet itself is neutral — it carries the flavour of its filling rather than competing with it.

The ghee is what you taste first. Then the sweetness. Then the crunch of the dry fruits. And then — nothing. Because the whole thing has dissolved. In less than three seconds, a piece of Pootharekulu is gone, leaving only the faint warmth of ghee and the memory of something you want again immediately.

## Is Pootharekulu Healthy?

Relative to most Indian sweets, yes. Here is why:

• No deep frying. Unlike Gulab Jamun or Jalebi, Pootharekulu is never fried. The rice sheet is steam-cooked, keeping calorie content significantly lower.
• Pure ghee, not vanaspati. Authentic Pootharekulu uses only desi ghee — a source of healthy fats, fat-soluble vitamins, and digestive butyrate. Brands that substitute vanaspati are cutting corners.
• Dry fruits provide real nutrition. The almonds, cashews, and pistachios add protein, healthy fats, and micronutrients — not just texture.
• Jaggery variants are diabetic-friendlier. Bellam Pootharekulu uses jaggery, which has a lower glycemic index than refined sugar and contains trace minerals.
• No preservatives, no artificial colour. Authentic Pootharekulu contains only rice, ghee, sugar or jaggery, and dry fruits. Check the ingredient label of any brand you buy.

## How to Identify Authentic Pootharekulu

With so many sellers online, quality varies wildly. Here is what separates genuine Atreyapuram Pootharekulu from imitations:

• It should be GI-tagged. The Geographical Indication tag is the government's guarantee of origin. Any authentic seller will mention this.
• It should melt — not crumble — in your mouth. If it feels dry or powdery, the ghee content is too low or the sheets are too old.
• The ghee should smell real. Pure ghee has a warm, nutty aroma when you open the box. Vanaspati smells flat and greasy.
• It should be made fresh. Pootharekulu has a shelf life of 7 days at room temperature. If a seller claims 30–60 day shelf life without refrigeration, preservatives are involved.
• The artisan should be from Atreyapuram. The technique cannot be authentically replicated elsewhere. If the brand doesn't clearly state they work with Atreyapuram artisans, ask.

## How to Store Pootharekulu

Store in a cool, dry place in an airtight container, away from direct sunlight. At room temperature it stays fresh for up to 7 days. Refrigerating extends freshness to 15 days — let it come to room temperature before eating, as the cold firms up the ghee and mutes the flavour.

One important tip: keep it away from strong-smelling foods. The delicate rice sheets absorb odours very easily.

## Pootharekulu as a Gift — Why It Works

Chocolates are predictable. Dry fruit boxes are forgettable. But when you gift someone a box of authentic Pootharekulu — especially someone who has never tasted it — you give them an experience. A story. A taste of somewhere they have never been.

Pootharekulu works beautifully for Diwali, Sankranti, Ugadi, Rakhi, weddings, baby showers, and corporate gifting. The eco-friendly packaging makes it presentable. The GI tag makes it prestigious. The taste makes it unforgettable.

## Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Pootharekulu and Putharekulu?

Nothing — they are the same sweet, just different English spellings of the Telugu word పూతరేకులు. You will also see it written as Pootharekhulu, Puthareku, or simply Paper Sweet.

Can Pootharekulu be made outside Atreyapuram?

Technically yes, but not authentically. The technique — specifically the earthen pot and steam method — is a skill passed down exclusively through Atreyapuram families. Attempts to replicate it elsewhere produce a noticeably inferior product, which is why the GI tag exists.

Is Pootharekulu gluten-free?

Yes. The rice sheets are made from rice starch, not wheat flour. Pootharekulu is naturally gluten-free, making it one of the few traditional Indian sweets suitable for people with gluten intolerance.

How many pieces come in one box?

Standard boxes contain 10 pieces. At Godavari Svadh, our pieces are bigger and heavier than the market standard — so you get more with every order.

Can I order for bulk or corporate gifting?

Absolutely. We handle wedding favours, Diwali hampers, corporate gifting, and event orders with custom packaging. WhatsApp us at +91 91827 60200 with your requirements.

Ready to try the real thing? Our Assorted Pootharekulu Pack gives you all 10 varieties in one box — made fresh on the day of dispatch, delivered across India. ₹399 with free shipping.