In India, for ages, we have been divided by caste, religion, and ethnicity, and recently trapped under lockdown. But our love for biryani unites us as a country. Fragrant long-grain pearl colour basmati rice layered with meat and spices make us drool at this thought. And to leverage this natural gastronomy of the Bongs, Behrouz Biryani
is the latest entrant in the era of cloud kitchen in the “City of Joy.”
The brand story goes that 2000 years old traditional biryani recipe was lost when King Cyrus laid siege to the Persian kingdom of Behrouz, which Sir James Casily later discovered. Folks behind the brand got old of this age-old secret recipe and claimed to recreate those flavours. I am not questioning facts and fiction, but this has enhanced my marketing skills. 😀
Available in cities across India, order from Behrouz Biryani using a website, mobile app, and food delivery partners. As shown on the sites, the packaging is spic and span, a big black box with Behrouz written in the golden letter on it looked royal. The box had a miniature black box inside for biryani with two tiny containers for mint raita and gulab jamun. It also has a pouch with a wooden spoon, tissue, and mouth freshener.
Blog Contents
Biryani
In my order, there were Dum Gosht Biryani (INR 451) and Lazeez Bhuna Murgh Biryani (INR 363). Aside from this, is there another surprise order you will find soon.
Biryani had an alluring aroma of kewra, but no traces of almonds and raisins were found, as shown on the website. Running fork through various layers reveals perfectly cooked, decent-sized boneless meat chunks laid on saffron-tinged medium and long grain basmati rice and slow-cooked on charcoal fire with claimed seven secret spices. There is a hint of sweetness in flavour from the fried onion.
Kolkata biryani lovers will be disappointed about the high amount of spices in this and the absence of potato. The biggest disappointment is the quality of rice. At this price range, it is expected to be prepared with only long-grain rice, and the rice was sticking to each other. Missed the fragrance of ghee and fat from meat to enhance the flavour of the rice.
Raita was not watery but lacked the freshness of mint flavour. Gulab jamun was tough, which will annoy any sweet connoisseur. As claimed, the quantity of rice is more for one person but not adequate for two adults.
Haleem
During Ramadan, I generally go out to enjoy haleem as street food. But due to recent restrictions during lockdown was looking to order this online. Thankfully Behrouz Biryani is preparing Ghost Haleem exclusively during Ramadan.
The haleem is slow-cooked till smoothly mashed with meat, wheat, barley, gram, and dry fruits, and mixed with spices and onion to give it a silky mushy texture. Preparation is rich and spicy, with an explosion of flavours. Squeeze a slice of lime on it to enhance the taste.
Must try this with flat Arabian pieces of bread, or Khubus came neatly packed inside the box. Won’t claim it as one of the finest haleem I ever had but a decent option, of course. The portion size is unimaginably less for a price tag of INR 242.
Conclusion
Good: On-time delivery, royal packaging, freshly cooked and excellent meat quality
Bad: Biryani got no dry fruits, price, quantity, rice quality, raita, and gulab jamun
Ok: Taste
Worth the hype? Thanks to the unique marketing strategy and 2000 years old recipe tagline creates a lot of curiosity and hype – does not worth the exorbitant pricing.
Reach me by email: souvik25@gmail.com or put your feedback/queries in the comment section.