"By the late 19th century, Calcutta was home to a sizable community of Baghdadi Jews who came to the thriving city in search of economic opportunities. Among them was Nahoum Israel Mordecai, who opened a confectionery inside the city’s historic Hogg Market (New Market to locals) in 1902. Only a fraction of the Jewish community remains in the city today, but 120 years on, Nahoum’s popularity is intact. Everything hearkens back to another era: antique teak furniture, huge glass display cases, the century-old cash register, and age-old recipes. The shop is best known for its classic macaroons, spicy rum balls, jam tarts, almond pastries, and — surprisingly — Christmas specials like mincemeat pies and rich fruitcakes. There are also other global Jewish specialties like challah and caraway-studded savory cookies called kaka." - Priyadarshini Chatterjee
