The Heritage
The Paper Sweet Journey
In the quiet village of Atreyapuram, along the banks of the Godavari, artisans have been hand-crafting a delicate treasure for centuries — Putharekulu, the paper-thin sweet that carries the soul of Andhra tradition.
For over 300 years, the women of Atreyapuram have preserved a culinary secret that is as much an art form as it is a dessert. Putharekulu, which translates literally to “coated sheets” (putha meaning coating, and reku meaning sheet), is a true testament to the patience and skill of Andhra artisans.
The Delicate Craft
The journey of every sweet begins with a special variety of coarse rice, soaked and ground into a thin batter. The artisan takes a fine piece of cloth, dips it into the batter, and swiftly sweeps it over an inverted, heated mud pot. In mere seconds, the heat cooks the batter into a translucent sheet as thin as tissue paper. It requires precise timing and a deft hand — a skill honed over decades and passed down from mother to daughter.
Rich Fillings and Pure Ghee
Once the sheets are cooled, they are meticulously folded with fillings that celebrate the local produce. Pure, unrefined jaggery (bellam) from nearby farms, finely powdered sugar, rich dry fruits, and generous lashings of pure ghee are layered within. The ghee not only binds the sweet but acts as a natural preservative, lending an unmistakable aroma that signifies celebrations and festivals.
Authentic Atreyapuram Heritage
Putharekulu is recognized as a GI-tagged heritage sweet associated exclusively with Atreyapuram. This geographical indication ensures that when you taste a House of Puthareku sweet, you are experiencing the authentic, original recipe crafted by the very community that invented it.